Last, you had Mclean break down what inspired the song and even touch on some rumors about what the song was about. At the time of the songs original release in late 1971, many American AM & FM rock radio stations devoted entire shows discussing and debating the songs. Then you have the story of Mclean growing up, his rise, and his influences. (I give them massive credit for having Garth Brooks). First, you have a wide range of people talking about the importance of the song. But besides that, Mclean has been mum about the theories thrown out by others, including that one lyric about Bob Dylan dethroning Elvis or America post JFK shooting or even God and the Devil.Īs the film progresses, it follows many of the same beats other music documentaries follow. One we know for sure is the opening bit mourns Mclean’s favorite singer Buddy Holly. The history behind the song has so much meaning.

We follow with a montage of Brooks, John Mayer, and even a boxing match where people were singing the song. The documentary opens with Garth Brooks saying, “this could be the greatest song of all time”. So it’s crazy to fast forward 30 years and see a documentary come out. Like most fathers who are storytellers, every time American Pie hit the radio, he would tell us the story behind the song. I was raised on older music when I was a young kid, from Elvis to Eagles to Chicago to Motown singers like Smoky Robinson, Diana Ross, and Lionel Richie.

One of my most anticipated documentaries is streaming on Paramount+ today in The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don Mclean’s “American Pie” which provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic songs ever.

American pie song release date