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).
last.fm page

Similar Artists

Great Big Man Lyrics

Don McLean

Rust on your fingers, you got trouble at your feet.
Keep the home fires burning, but look out for the heat
'cause there's a man at the window who knows just what you think,
and there's a water boy behind you who won't give you a drink
Well it's a hard, hard time, no easy road in sight,
it takes a great big man to win a great big fight.
When it comes to dying, no matter what you tell,
They'll let you into a heaven 'cause you lived your life in hell.
Well they've got no way to reward you but to let those breezes blow,
And you've got nothing left to do but to let your anger show.
'Cause it's a hard, hard time, no easy road in sight,
it takes a great big man to win a great big fight.
Think about your baby, think about your wife,
Think about your banker who's trying to take your life.
Think about this planet that's rolling through the night.
Oh can you turn your back on such a great big fight?
You got the muscle, big man, you got the power,
but you're getting weaker with each passing hour.
Just like a flame in the rain, like a light in the night,
well if it's you that must stay, well then it's you that must fight!
'Cause it's a hard, hard time, your future's not bright,
it takes a great big man to win a great big
great big man to win a great big fight.