American Pie (Don McLean album)

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American Pie is the title of a 1971 music album by Don McLean, best known for its title track about The Day the Music Died. The third track, "Vincent," is a tribute to the famed artist Vincent Van Gogh.

The original 1971 LP is dedicated to Buddy Holly, and was reissued in 1980 minus the track "Sister Fatima". The original United Artists Records inner sleeve featured a free verse poem written by McLean about the late William Boyd, also known as Hopalong Cassidy, along with a picture of Boyd in full Hopalong regalia. This sleeve was removed within a year of the album's release. The words to this poem appear on a plaque at the hospital where Boyd died. The Boyd poem and picture tribute does appear on a special remastered 2003 CD.

Track listing

All tracks composed and arranged by Don McLean; except where indicated

The original release (UAS-5535, 1971 United Artists Records)

1. "American Pie"
2. "Till Tomorrow"
3. "Vincent"
4. "Crossroads"
5. "Winterwood"
6. "Empty Chairs"
7. "Everybody Loves Me, Baby"
8. "Sister Fatima"
9. "The Grave"
10. "Babylon" (Traditional)

The 1980 reissue (LN-10037, 1980 Liberty Records, Inc.) did not include "Sister Fatima" in early releases, but it was eventually added under the same serial number.

1. "American Pie" - 8:27
2. "Till Tomorrow" - 2:11
3. "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" - 3:55
4. "Crossroads" - 3:34
5. "Winterwood" - 3:09
6. "Empty Chairs" - 3:24
7. "Everybody Loves Me, Baby" - 3:37
8. "The Grave" - 3:08
9. "Babylon" - 1:40

The 2003 remaster contains 12 tracks in total [1]:

1. "American Pie"
2. "Till Tomorrow"
3. "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)"
4. "Crossroads"
5. "Winterwood"
6. "Empty Chairs"
7. "Everybody Loves Me, Baby"
8. "Sister Fatima"
9. "The Grave"
10. "Babylon"
11. "Mother Nature"
12. "Aftermath"

Personnel

• Don McLean - vocals, guitar, banjo
• Warren Bernhardt - piano ("Crossroads")
• Ray Colcord - electric piano
• Tom Flye - drums ("The Grave"), engineering
• Ed Freeman - string arrangements
• Paul Griffin - piano ("American Pie")
• Lee Hays - arranger
• Mike Mainieri - marimba, vibraphone
• Roy Markowitz - drums, percussion
• Gene Orloff - concert master
• Bob Rothstein - bass, vocals
• David Spinozza - electric guitar ("American Pie")
• West Forty Fourth Street Rhythm and Noise Choir - chorus

Chart positions

Year	Chart	Position
1972	Billboard 200	1
	Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart