Don McLean sells American Pie manuscript, saying all will be revealed

Don McLean is to auction the original manuscript of American Pie, his elegaic, enigmatic ballad that became a signature song of its era. The 16 pages of handwritten and typed drafts include notes and deletions for the recording that became a hit after it was released in 1971. It was named a Song of the Century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. Auctioneers Christies predicted the papers could fetch around $1.5m (£1m).

McLean, 69, is among the most renowned singer-songwriters of his generation. He said he decided to sell the manuscript on a whim. McLean has admitted the beginning of the more than eight-minute song is about the death of singer Buddy Holly, who died in a plane crash with Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson in 1959. But he has been elusive about the meaning of most of the lyrics, which has heightened interest and led to countless interpretations. “I wanted to capture, probably before it was ever formulated, a rock-’n-roll American dream,” McLean said. “The writing and the lyrics will divulge everything there is to divulge.”

Francis Wahlgren, the international director of printed books and manuscripts at Christie’s, said American Pie held an important place in the history of music. “The fact that the drafts, the working process of it, are all being offered as this lot makes it a remarkable insight into the mind of Don McLean and into this incredible song that has touched so many people”

Written in Cold Spring, New York state, and in Philadelphia, the six verses of American Pie reflect the social upheavals of the 1960s and early 70s. “There is something about this song that captures the era of that period and there is a kind of innocence to it, a loss of innocence in America,” Wahlgren said.

Bob Dylan’s lyrics for Like A Rolling Stone sold for just over $2m at auction in 2014, resetting the record for a handwritten manuscript, previously held by John Lennon’s lyrics for A Day in the Life, which sold for $1.2m. The auction would take place on 7 April, Christie’s said.

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

a. The Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts estimated the papers could be sold for around $1.5m

b. The fact that the meaning of some of the words of the song is unknown has increased the interest in the song.

c. Wahlgren denies that the manuscript is a remarkable insight into Don McLean’s mind and into a song that has moved so many people

d. The  lyrics for Like A Rolling Stone sold for less money than the lyrics for A Day in the Life

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

a.      What and why is going to be auctioned?

b.      Why has the song been so successful?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

a. to get (par. 1)                                  b. famous (par.2)                                 c. innumerable (par. 2)

d. extraordinary (par. 3)                       e.  to occur (par. 5)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Complete the following sentences without changing the meaning.

a.      The 16 pages of handwritten and typed drafts include notes and deletions for the recording

Notes and deletions …………………….

b.      McLean said. “The writing and the lyrics will divulge everything there is to divulge.”

McLean said …………………………………..

c.      “There is something about this song that captures the era of that period and there is a kind of innocence to it, a loss of innocence here,” Wahlgren said.

Wahlgren said ……………………………………………..

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

Do you think music can reflect the society of the moment? Give examples that justify your answer.