Don McLean, (born October 2, 1945 in New Rochelle, New York) is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for his 1971 ballad "American Pie", about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. The song spawned the phrase "The Day the Music Died", referring to the day of the crash. Other well-known songs include * "And I Love You So" - covered by Elvis Presley, a 1973 hit for Perry Como * "Vincent" (a tribute to the 19th century Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh) * "Castles in the Air" * "Winterwood" * "Wonderful Baby" (a tribute to Fred Astaire that Astaire himself recorded.) * "Superman's Ghost" (a tribute to George Reeves, who portrayed Superman on TV in the 1950's) Early in his career, McLean was mentored by the folk legend Pete Seeger, and accompanied Seeger on his Clearwater boat up the Hudson River in 1969 to protest at environmental pollution in the river. The Clearwater campaign was widely credited for improving water quality in the Hudson River. The album American Pie features a version of Psalm 137, 'Babylon' arranged by Don McLean and Lee Hays (The Weavers).
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Birthday Song Lyrics

Don McLean

If I could say the things I feel, it wouldn't be the same
Some things are not spoken of, some things have no name
And though the words come hard to me, I'll say them just for you
For this is something rare for me this feeling is so new
You see I love the way you love me
Love the way you smile at me,
I love the way we live this life we're in
Long ago I heard the song that lovers sing to me
And through the days with each new phrase I hummed that melody
And all along I loved the song but I never learned it through
But since the day you came along, I've saved it just for you
You see I love the way you love me
Love the way you smile at me,
I love the way we live this life we're in
I don't believe in magic but I do believe in you
And when you say you believe in me
There's so much magic I can do
Now you see me now you don't watch me dive below
Deep down in your love lake where the sweet fish come and go
And I might sink and I might drown but death don't mean a thing
'Cause life continues right or wrong when I play this birthday song
I learned from you, and you can't even sing