The immensely popular song "American Pie", written by Don McLean, describes the "day the music died", and the decline of society in the following decade. This date, specifically February 3rd 1959, is marked by the deaths of influential musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson. McLean wrote the song to describe his feelings towards the deaths, and to describe the history of American music up to the date "American Pie" was written, using symbolism to describe events without directly naming them or those involved. McLean uses many different themes, including theology and time to describe this journey. Don McLean's "American Pie" uses symbolism to tell the story of American music and the "day the music died", and the events that lead up to the apocalypse.
The first line in the song "A long, long time ago" (McLean) suggests a feeling of timelessness, which is often used in mythic stories and events. This line also refers to the narrator's (presumably McLean) youth,......
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