The Day the Music Died

A well done documentary on an iconic song that not only gives you the backstory on Don McLean's writing of the song but is also acts as a biography of McClean and how could you possibly have one without the other, the song and the writer are so intertwined they are impossible to separate. There are a lot of interesting interviews with different musical artists explaining the impact the song has had on them.

At one point McLean explains the lyrics which I wish he had not done, one of the great things about the song is that everyone has their own interpretation of the lyrics. It was a mystery for 50 years, why ruin it now? The documentary goes on probably 15 to 20 minutes too long with interviews of musicians that very few people have never heard of and never will outside of this video. If not for the length I would have rated it higher.

Like pjtexas I'm puzzled by the negative comments, I found the film fascinating. The film was about more than 'Don and the song', and continuing interpretations of the lyrics - that's been done to death. It was about the enduring impact of American Pie on listeners. I hadn't heard of Jade Bird either (though I'm also English), but the point was that she wanted to record a song written by another 25 year-old singer-songwriter 50 years ago. Neither song nor film may be technically perfect, but it's how they make you feel. I'm not just English, I'm an emotionally reserved Brit - but I was moved by both. Good job chaps!

Well, first up, I admit that I LOVE Don McLean's American Pie. It's a remarkable, epic work of art that is as relevant now as it was 50 years ago. And I doubt whether there is a more widely known song, spanning generations, across the world.

This program gives us some great insight into Don's life and times and a cultural history of the period. It looks at what it's meant to so many people in so many places.

Some well-known guests talk about the impact of the song over the years, too.

All in all, it's a great tribute to a brilliant singer/songwriter and the magic he created with American Pie.

A very scatter shot Doc that was also repetitive. I don't want to sit through it twice to verify, but I'm pretty sure they cut to the same quotes from Garth Brooks 4 times in some cases. A lot of time watching... some female artist... recording her version because... maybe she's famous in Europe? Even, if instead of her, it was Paul McCartney, we didn't tune in to see Paul in the studio. We want to hear Don talk about the song. We all know about the Genesis of the first verse, but if you didn't already know the song, you'd be pretty sure it must be 90% about Buddy Holly.

{Side note: They obviously talk a lot about Buddy Holly and some about Ritchie Valens - and play a little of two of his songs - but - though the mention "The Big Bopper" they don't even tell you/mention the name of any of his songs - odd}

Near the end they remembered they should ask Don what some of the imagery was about and he rushed through it like he knew they had to catch a plane.

A wasted opportunity.

Editing: Rehashing the same chunks of interview video and audio became annoying rather quickly.

Time: Lasted about half an hour more than necessary.

Content: Spent an inordinate amount of time reviewing the history of the plane crash, and having other musicians praising & covering McLean's work..

Listened to the song hundreds of times during my youth, and it is still an amazing tune, but this documentary just felt contrived and shallow.