Why “American Pie” By Don McLean Was Such A Huge Hit?

Don McLean’s iconic rise to fame at the age of 26 was made possible by his timeless hit song “American Pie.” But behind all the immediate fame, the young performer battled with personal issues. During the song’s recording, McLean, who lost his father when he was 15, struggled with depression and a tumultuous marriage. It was difficult for him to bear the burden of his newfound popularity.

The Impact of Success

In an interview with NME, McLean opened up about how the song’s overwhelming popularity disrupted his life:

“I was headed on a certain course, and the success I got with “American Pie” really threw me off. It just shattered my lifestyle and made me quite neurotic and extremely petulant. I was really prickly for a long time. If the things you’re doing aren’t increasing your energy and awareness and clarity and enjoyment, then you feel as though you’re moving blindly. That’s what happened to me. I seemed to be in a place where nothing felt like anything, and nothing meant anything. Literally nothing mattered. It was very hard for me to wake up in the morning and decide why it was I wanted to get up.”

A Global Phenomenon

When “American Pie” was released in 1971, it shot to the top of the charts. In 1972, it topped the charts for four weeks in the United States. The song solidified McLean’s popularity throughout the world by topping the charts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It spent three weeks at number two in the UK in 1971 before making a comeback in 1991, when it peaked at number 12.

“American Pie” became a timeless classic because of McLean’s frank storytelling and eerie melodies, but its popularity came at a cost. This song represented McLean’s personal turning point as much as a turning point in his career. This demonstrates the complex relationship that exists between the music’s creator and fame.