<P> It was also speculated that the song contains numerous references to post-World War II American events (such as the murders of civil rights workers Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner), and elements of culture, including 1960s culture (e.g. sock hops, cruising, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Charles Manson, and much more). </P> <P> When asked what "American Pie" meant, McLean jokingly replied, "It means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to ." Later, he stated, "You will find many interpretations of my lyrics but none of them by me...Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago I realized that songwriters should make their statements and move on, maintaining a dignified silence ." He also commented on the popularity of his music, "I didn't write songs that were just catchy, but with a point of view, or songs about the environment ." </P> <P> In February 2015, McLean announced he would reveal the meaning of the lyrics to the song when the original manuscript went for auction in New York City, in April 2015 . The lyrics and notes were auctioned on April 7, and sold for $1.2 million . In the sale catalogue notes, McLean revealed the meaning in the song's lyrics: "Basically in American Pie things are heading in the wrong direction...It (life) is becoming less idyllic . I don't know whether you consider that wrong or right but it is a morality song in a sense ." The catalogue confirmed some of the better known references in the song's lyrics, including mentions of Elvis Presley ("the king") and Bob Dylan ("the jester"), and confirmed that the song culminates with a near - verbatim description of the death of Meredith Hunter at the Altamont Free Concert, ten years after the plane crash that killed Holly, Valens, and Richardson . </P> <P> Mike Mills of R.E.M. reflected: "American Pie just made perfect sense to me as a song and that's what impressed me the most . I could say to people this is how to write songs . When you've written at least three songs that can be considered classic that is a very high batting average and if one of those songs happens to be something that a great many people think is one of the greatest songs ever written you've not only hit the top of the mountain but you've stayed high on the mountain for a long time ." </P>

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