American Pie Tabs:
- American Pie »
#-----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE------------------------------#
# This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation #
# of the song. The owner of this website has not reviewed the contents of #
# this file. If you feel that the content of this file may be violating #
# copyright law, you may not use the information displayed here in any way. #
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------#
This actually the Don McLean version but who cares?
[Verse 1]
G D Em7 Am C
A long, long time ago I can still remember how
Em D
that music used to make me smile
G D Em7
And I knew if I had my chance
Am C
that I could make those people dance and
Em C D
maybe they'd be happy for a while.
Em Am Em Am
But February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver
C G Am C D
Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step
G D Em Am7 D
I can't remember if I cried, when I read about his widowed bride
G D Em
But something touched me deep inside
C D7 G C G D
The day the music died.
So...
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
[Verse 2]
G Am C Am
Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above?
Em D
If the Bible tells you so.
G D Em
And do you believe in Rock 'n Roll?
Am7 C
And can music save your mortal soul?
Em A7 D
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Em D Em D
Well, I know that you're in love with him ‘cause I saw you dancing in the gym
C G A7 C D7
You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rythmny blues.
G D Em Am C
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck.
G D Em
But I knew I was out of luck
C D7 G C G D
The day the music died I started singin'
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
[Verse 3]
G Am C Am
Now for ten years we've been on our own and moss grows fat on a rollin' stone
Em D
But that's not how it used to be
G D Em
When the jester sang for the King and Queen
Am7 C
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
Em A7 D
And a voice that came from you and me
Em Am Em Am
And while the King was looking down, the jester stole his thorny crown
C G A7 C D7
The courtroom was adjourned, no verdict was returned
G D Em Am C
And while Lennon read a book of Marx, the court kept practice in the park
G D Em
And we sang dirges in the dark
C D7 G C G D
The day the music died. We were singing
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
[Verse 4]
G D Em C Am
Oh, and there we were all in one place a generation lost in space
Em D
With no time left to start again
G D Em Am7 C
So come on, Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
Em A7 D
‘cause fire is the Devil's only friend
Em D Em D
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage
C G A7 C D7
No angel born in hell could break that Satan's spell
G D Em Am C
And as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrifical rite
G D Em
I saw Satan laughing with delight
C D7 G C G D
The day the music died and he was singing
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
[Verse 5]
G D Em C Am
I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news
Em D
But she just smiled and turned away
G D Em Am7 C
I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before
Em A7 D
But the man there said the music woudn't play
Em D Em D
And in the streets the children screamed the lovers cried and the poets dreamed
C G A7 C D7
But not a word was spoken the church bells all were broken
G D Em Am C
And three men I admire most the father, son and the Holy Ghost
G D Em
They caught the last train for the coast
C D7 G C G D
The day the music died. And they were singing
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
They were singing
[Chorus]
G C G D
Bye, bye! Miss American Pie
G C G D
Drove my chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em A7 Em D7 G
Singin' this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die.
Comments?
Feel free to email me. lonelyguy_5@hotmail.com
Tabbed by Lawrence Carniel
Enjoy!
`W´
#
#
_#_
( # )
/ O
( === )
`---´
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Joan Average |
#1 by Joan Rius at Jan 6, 1970 at 7:12 PM EST |
| Madonna= American Pie Murderer!!!!!! Who agrees? | |
|
No Picture
The Penguins Tr Professional Badass |
#2 by The Penguins Tried To Kill Me The Other Day at Jun 16, 1970 at 6:31 AM EST |
| young artist? come on, how old are ya? a hunderd of years? | |
|
No Picture
yomomma!! Wanna Be |
#3 by yomomma!! at Jun 6, 1972 at 1:08 PM EST |
| quite simply, this song was butchered by Madonna, or as the egocentrical, stuck-up,british-wannabe tart wants to be known as, "M". She sucks. | |
|
No Picture
Your account ha Average |
#4 by Your account has been hacked into by Bkid23 Stupid.... at Feb 3, 1973 at 4:48 AM EST |
| i love this song so much. If it was a girl i would bang it. but instead i bang my sister. Other than banging my sister and ridiong my tracter i ushually listen to this song | |
|
No Picture
Average |
#5 by Fig at Dec 22, 1974 at 4:11 AM EST |
| Originally a ballad by Don McLean, Madonna turns this poignant song about "The day the Music Died" into a pop song. | |
|
No Picture
Average |
#6 by Fig at Jul 15, 1976 at 2:40 PM EST |
| quite simply, this song was butchered by Madonna, or as the egocentrical, stuck-up,british-wannabe tart wants to be known as, "M". She sucks. | |
|
No Picture
Jake Wanna Be |
#7 by Jake Stewart at Jun 14, 1977 at 2:03 PM EST |
| I agree, the only cool version of american pie is by snuff!!!! PUNK RULES | |
|
No Picture
Erin Rhythm Player |
#8 by Erin at Jul 6, 1978 at 6:30 PM EST |
| pure, unadulterated SHIT. I could use my mic and sound recorder program and have a much better cover. this song makes me want to take knives to my ears, and pop my eardrums. Danzig Rules & Maiden's Forever! | |
|
No Picture
Collin Average |
#9 by Collin at Jan 20, 1979 at 10:39 PM EST |
| Madonna is a very talented woman and has done some brilliant tunes. But this is just MURDER! | |
|
No Picture
Curtis Rhythm Player |
#10 by Curtis Lee at Feb 13, 1979 at 9:08 PM EST |
| I just love Madonna's version of this song... | |
|
No Picture
Armin Average |
#11 by Armin at Aug 26, 1979 at 7:13 AM EST |
| Originally a ballad by Don McLean, Madonna turns this poignant song about "The day the Music Died" into a pop song. | |
|
No Picture
Aaron Average |
#12 by Aaron Doyle at Dec 8, 1979 at 3:27 AM EST |
| I agree, the only cool version of american pie is by snuff!!!! PUNK RULES | |
|
No Picture
That One Guy Musical Genius |
#13 by That One Guy at Jan 18, 1980 at 2:25 PM EST |
| Wow. Last time I checked this website was called "Song Meanings", not "Song Critiques". Keep your opinions to yourself. | |
|
No Picture
Chase Wanna Be |
#14 by Chase Hendrix at Dec 3, 1980 at 8:41 AM EST |
| everyone that has something negative to say about madonna needs to learn that she is a true artist thats why she is famous and all of you people are not.....this song is awesome....madonna is the shyt!!!!!!!! | |
|
No Picture
IvZ Average |
#15 by IvZ at Dec 5, 1980 at 10:27 PM EST |
| i'll tell you what this is. this is a mockery of everything good about Don Mcleans american pie. Madonna is a disgusting, talentless, vile piece of dirt who doesnt deserve respect(and doesnt have it) from her own children. She makes me sick, and it disgusts me that the music industry actually allowed her to make this vile ripoff of a beautifal song by Don Mclean. Plain and simple, i agree with " Madonna= American Pie Murderer!!!!!!" and that "madonna raped this song" And in conclusion, people like madonna keep me wondering, why do serial killers and pshycos target wonderful musicians like John Lennon and let people who deserve to die like Madonna live? | |
|
No Picture
jake Average |
#16 by jake battkoo at Sep 28, 1982 at 9:43 PM EST |
| I dont know the snuff version, but i can imagine to like it. (I even like Letherface's "Candle in the wind") - does anybody think madonna will change? She'll never! She's on my hating list on same level with Jacko. You know, what she did with "American Live" after someone did'nt like it -> as if she ever cared what other people think, or if she ever cared to hurt somebody, but in this case it could help her to sell some more of her shity compacts, so she did like she'll care. | |
|
No Picture
Alex Lead Player |
#17 by Alex Russo at Dec 6, 1983 at 8:46 PM EST |
| i love dan pliszka | |
|
No Picture
marvin Lead Player |
#18 by marvin at Jan 11, 1984 at 10:29 PM EST |
| Wow. Last time I checked this website was called "Song Meanings", not "Song Critiques". Keep your opinions to yourself. | |
|
No Picture
kyle Average |
#19 by kyle sharpshooter at Feb 25, 1984 at 9:30 AM EST |
| its hard to do a cover, ok/ just look what Britney did to "satisfaction"! Some are good though, like the cover to "music" (which ironically is one of madonna's) was just amazing and way better than the original. OOYM rules. | |
|
No Picture
Armin Average |
#20 by Armin at Jan 2, 1987 at 9:03 PM EST |
| how could one truly good song be remade so freakin badly? this is the epiphany of "nothing is ever as good as the original." this song made me want to burn my guitar in protest and go screaming through the streets that this is the day the music died. | |
|
No Picture
PunkJunky Wanna Be |
#21 by PunkJunky at Apr 29, 1987 at 7:36 AM EST |
| For a song to be ruined, it must be good to begin with. There are no good versions of this song and most likely it will stay that way. | |
|
No Picture
kyle Average |
#22 by kyle sharpshooter at Jan 9, 1988 at 5:31 AM EST |
| i'll tell you what this is. this is a mockery of everything good about Don Mcleans american pie. Madonna is a disgusting, talentless, vile piece of dirt who doesnt deserve respect(and doesnt have it) from her own children. She makes me sick, and it disgusts me that the music industry actually allowed her to make this vile ripoff of a beautifal song by Don Mclean. Plain and simple, i agree with " Madonna= American Pie Murderer!!!!!!" and that "madonna raped this song" And in conclusion, people like madonna keep me wondering, why do serial killers and pshycos target wonderful musicians like John Lennon and let people who deserve to die like Madonna live? | |
|
No Picture
David Average |
#23 by David Turner at Mar 19, 1989 at 12:29 AM EST |
| as this song is a very hard one to cover, madonna did a great job. since don mclean was such a legend, it is always tough for young artists to make their version better, but madonna, i think did well. its a fun summery song that is nice to roll down your windows to when you drive. | |
|
No Picture
Prince Alex Lead Player |
#24 by Prince Alex at Apr 7, 1989 at 2:04 AM EST |
| Yeh seriously, this is criminal | |
|
No Picture
cody Wanna Be |
#25 by cody westermier at Dec 1, 1989 at 11:16 PM EST |
| I just love Madonna's version of this song... | |
|
No Picture
i wud give da w Wanna Be |
#26 by i wud give da world 2 frankie if it was mine! at Jan 31, 1990 at 11:00 AM EST |
| I'll agree to anyone who says that Madonna is in fact a true artist, but that doesn't excuse this pathetic excuse for a cover. I suppose I'm slightly defensive, since I have a sort of emotional attachment to the original (There's a lot of traditions surrounding it at the camp I go to), but still, she runied this in so many ways I don't even know where to start. The one good thing I can say is at least Don McLean's okay with it. | |
|
No Picture
Curtis Rhythm Player |
#27 by Curtis Lee at Nov 21, 1990 at 3:47 PM EST |
| young artist? come on, how old are ya? a hunderd of years? | |
|
No Picture
Rebecca Average |
#28 by Rebecca Lira at Sep 2, 1991 at 6:53 PM EST |
| pure, unadulterated SHIT. I could use my mic and sound recorder program and have a much better cover. this song makes me want to take knives to my ears, and pop my eardrums. Danzig Rules & Maiden's Forever! | |
|
No Picture
mike Average |
#29 by mike rojas at Jan 10, 1992 at 12:42 AM EST |
| Yes, Madonna shafted this. Kiddies: go to the Don McLean page - NOW! Don't waste your time here. Don wrote on his website (http://www.don-mclean.com/i/ap.asp) "It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie'", So he didn't seem to mind. One good thing is that it has brought my fellow pop fan teenagers (wierdos) closer to don McLean and sparked their interest in his music, so I can't curse Madonna for that. Don deserves the credit, and he got it. Oh, and the rumour that Madonna actually wrote the song, children - That's not true. Sorry to burst your bubble. | |
|
No Picture
Rebecca Average |
#30 by Rebecca Lira at Apr 30, 1993 at 6:23 AM EST |
| Madonna is a very talented woman and has done some brilliant tunes. But this is just MURDER! | |
|
No Picture
NIK Average |
#31 by NIK blaszczyszyn at Aug 29, 1993 at 5:56 PM EST |
| I dont know the snuff version, but i can imagine to like it. (I even like Letherface's "Candle in the wind") - does anybody think madonna will change? She'll never! She's on my hating list on same level with Jacko. You know, what she did with "American Live" after someone did'nt like it -> as if she ever cared what other people think, or if she ever cared to hurt somebody, but in this case it could help her to sell some more of her shity compacts, so she did like she'll care. | |
|
No Picture
Trey Average |
#32 by Trey Davis at Jun 28, 1994 at 7:14 AM EST |
| as this song is a very hard one to cover, madonna did a great job. since don mclean was such a legend, it is always tough for young artists to make their version better, but madonna, i think did well. its a fun summery song that is nice to roll down your windows to when you drive. | |
|
No Picture
Kempy Lead Player |
#33 by Kempy at Dec 7, 1994 at 9:12 AM EST |
| madonna raped this song | |
|
No Picture
CJ Wanna Be |
#34 by CJ West at Dec 19, 1994 at 9:48 PM EST |
| i love this song so much. If it was a girl i would bang it. but instead i bang my sister. Other than banging my sister and ridiong my tracter i ushually listen to this song | |
|
No Picture
Renee Wanna Be |
#35 by Renee Saenz at Jun 15, 1995 at 6:41 PM EST |
| Madonna= American Pie Murderer!!!!!! Who agrees? | |
|
No Picture
The Crow Rhythm Player |
#36 by The Crow at Dec 4, 1996 at 1:52 PM EST |
| I'll agree to anyone who says that Madonna is in fact a true artist, but that doesn't excuse this pathetic excuse for a cover. I suppose I'm slightly defensive, since I have a sort of emotional attachment to the original (There's a lot of traditions surrounding it at the camp I go to), but still, she runied this in so many ways I don't even know where to start. The one good thing I can say is at least Don McLean's okay with it. | |
|
No Picture
kevin Rhythm Player |
#37 by kevin jeung at Jul 5, 1999 at 8:23 PM EST |
| everyone that has something negative to say about madonna needs to learn that she is a true artist thats why she is famous and all of you people are not.....this song is awesome....madonna is the shyt!!!!!!!! | |
|
No Picture
HIYA Wanna Be |
#38 by HIYA at Feb 19, 2000 at 2:02 AM EST |
| For a song to be ruined, it must be good to begin with. There are no good versions of this song and most likely it will stay that way. | |
|
No Picture
dann Average |
#39 by dann at Nov 28, 2000 at 12:02 AM EST |
| i love dan pliszka | |
|
No Picture
Tim Professional |
#40 by Tim Marchant at Apr 1, 2001 at 6:51 PM EST |
| Yes, Madonna shafted this. Kiddies: go to the Don McLean page - NOW! Don't waste your time here. Don wrote on his website (http://www.don-mclean.com/i/ap.asp) "It is a gift for her to have recorded 'American Pie'", So he didn't seem to mind. One good thing is that it has brought my fellow pop fan teenagers (wierdos) closer to don McLean and sparked their interest in his music, so I can't curse Madonna for that. Don deserves the credit, and he got it. Oh, and the rumour that Madonna actually wrote the song, children - That's not true. Sorry to burst your bubble. | |
|
No Picture
PJVILL Professional Badass |
#41 by PJVILL at Oct 23, 2001 at 1:09 PM EST |
| how could one truly good song be remade so freakin badly? this is the epiphany of "nothing is ever as good as the original." this song made me want to burn my guitar in protest and go screaming through the streets that this is the day the music died. | |
|
No Picture
hey u by the th Average |
#42 by hey u by the that thing. SHUTUP!! at Jul 5, 2002 at 7:44 AM EST |
| madonna raped this song | |
|
No Picture
PunkJunky Wanna Be |
#43 by PunkJunky at Jul 21, 2004 at 4:19 AM EST |
| I have to agree with everyone who said that this cover sucks. It's not so much the change in music, but the fact that she excised about half the song. Had she not done so, I would have enjoyed the cover much more than I did. As it stands, however, I much prefer the original. That said, I do respect Madonna's talent as an artist and like her work. I simply feel she did not do this song justice. | |
|
No Picture
Rockstar Professional |
#44 by Rockstar at Oct 9, 2004 at 12:53 PM EST |
| its hard to do a cover, ok/ just look what Britney did to "satisfaction"! Some are good though, like the cover to "music" (which ironically is one of madonna's) was just amazing and way better than the original. OOYM rules. | |
|
No Picture
Zac Wanna Be |
#45 by Zac Fielder at Nov 10, 2004 at 5:37 PM EST |
| This cover is better than the original. It's quite rare for a cover to be better than the original, and this is one of them. The vid sucks though. | |
|
No Picture
BeN-bEn Lead Player |
#46 by BeN-bEn Lesniewski at Feb 7, 2005 at 1:29 PM EST |
| Yeh seriously, this is criminal | |
|
No Picture
Julian Average |
#47 by Julian . at Sep 6, 2005 at 8:24 PM EST |
| I have to agree with everyone who said that this cover sucks. It's not so much the change in music, but the fact that she excised about half the song. Had she not done so, I would have enjoyed the cover much more than I did. As it stands, however, I much prefer the original. That said, I do respect Madonna's talent as an artist and like her work. I simply feel she did not do this song justice. | |
|
No Picture
Hey Retard Wanna Be |
#48 by Hey Retard at Feb 25, 2006 at 1:36 AM EST |
| Madonna is not the first artist who has re-made a song by someone else, but every time I hear the same angry traditionalist comments. Everybody knows that Madonna is more of a company than a real human being, but let's try to get the best out of it. I am not afraid to seem ignorant if I say I have never heard of the original author of the song, but it is thanks to Madonna version that I will get to know him. If you don't like Madonna's remake just don't listen to it. | |
|
No Picture
cinn Professional Badass |
#49 by cinn mcrickson at Nov 18, 2006 at 1:16 PM EST |
| This cover is better than the original. It's quite rare for a cover to be better than the original, and this is one of them. The vid sucks though. | |
|
No Picture
THE RONANATOR ( Average |
#50 by THE RONANATOR (aka.Ronan) downer at Jul 28, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST |
| Madonna is not the first artist who has re-made a song by someone else, but every time I hear the same angry traditionalist comments. Everybody knows that Madonna is more of a company than a real human being, but let's try to get the best out of it. I am not afraid to seem ignorant if I say I have never heard of the original author of the song, but it is thanks to Madonna version that I will get to know him. If you don't like Madonna's remake just don't listen to it. | |
Top 7 Madonna Guitar Tabs
Popular Guitar Tabs