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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You have lived such a gentle life upon this earth
that I am stunned by your sight.
If I could give but a token of the love you have,
then I might not be this lonely tonight.
Let them have their smug and their cool, confined by fashion and peer.
I love you for your courage in this frightened atmosphere.
I love you for your courage in this frightened atmosphere.
Oh, there are so few brave one's like you. Need I explain?
Never wondering what to do, what to venture, what to gain.
And, you have loved, in a total way, from flesh to soul.
You speak, without coy without pose.
Your eyes can see that the emperor has lost his clothes.
And what's more, you'll tell the whole world what he stole.
Let them have their fad and their fix, confined by fashion and peer.
I love you for your courage in this frightened atmosphere.
I love you for your courage in this frightened atmosphere.