April 27, 2007

I Really Love American Pie

I’m working on a piece I’ve been researching for about a month now.  That’s a shift from my normal world, which involves writing quick response columns.  There’s a bit of pressure in that, but it’s more than tolerable.  The best part about those is they allow me to actually figure out what I think about an issue.  Gotta get past the knee jerk responses and default prisms through which I view things and put my thoughts to the logical test.  For a quasi-nerd–okay, all the way nerd–like me, that’s what passes for entertainment.

The biggest thing about the researched stuff–in this case, research entailed going through Lexis-Nexis and reading article after article looking for stuff from the past–is that you’ve got to look at it all the time.  Reading your own stuff over and over, and not even in the revision phase, can drive you nuts.

So for some relief, it’s been a music day.  I’m waiting on a guy to call me back, so I turned on the track that gets me motivated–”American Pie” by Don McLean.

People that know me have heard me say this before, but I’ll share it with you–if this isn’t the greatest song made in this country, it’s at least in the top five.  Absolutely flawless.

And, in a lot of ways, it possess every quality I want every piece of work I produce to have.

1.  Intensity.  Of course, a lot of this comes from McLean’s vocals.  But the heart of this song is in its dramatically underrated rhythm section.  Once the bass comes in, it’s there to stay.  It’s clear and pulsating, but never distracting.  The drums keep the rhythm, but the occasional flourishes never take your ear away from the song itself.  It’s also the reason this is a pop classic rather than just a really good folk-rock song.  The rhythm drives so hard that you don’t get bored, something that often happens listening to folk anything.

The soul and passion in your work should always be clear, but it should never stop you from hearing the good sense you’ve got to offer.  If all you can do is scream, step your game up.

2.  A broad, intelligent scope.  “American Pie” is McLean’s love letter to rock music, a hodgepodge of references to ’50s and ’60s Americana and early rock history (decidedly white rock history, it should be noted).  The stuff’s coming in from all over the place, from Buddy Holly to sock hops to James Dean to Dylan to Lennon’s communist leanings to Woodstock.  Mix in some classically teenage moments and you’ve got magic.

The most amazing part here is how it all makes sense.  It’s a cohesive narrative made of spare parts, parts that had to be molded to match.

Everything in this world is connected in one way or another.  To me, a great writer is one that can see how and make sense of it without twisting the meaning of what (s)he’s seen.  A wide scope isn’t necessary, but it’s a great feat if you can use one without missing what’s important.

(Also, even though the song’s eight and a half minutes long, it’s surprisingly economical with words.)

3.  The acoustic guitar.  Okay, I don’t think I’ll ever use one of those when I write.  In “American Pie,” i’ve always felt like the guitar was the most important part.  Balances out the sound of the rhythm section while contributing to its effectiveness, but also provides something to stop the vocals from being drowned out by the bass and drums.  Gives the vocals something to dance over, something to make sure they get heard and, more important, understood and digested.  There’s not a line of filler in the song.  Everything matters, and everything must be heard.  It’s hard to pull off a lyric like that while bringing serious energy.  Crunk enough to keep you excited, chill enough that it gives you time to think, and catchy enough to make sure you remember what’s being said.  The guitar was perfect for pulling that off.  I don’t know what serves as the analogue for it in what I do, but I’d probably be much better at what I do if I could clearly identify something.

That’s today’s rambling thought.

9 Comments »

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1. …and this is one of the major reasons I love Bo Jones.

   No pre-concieved notions of much of anyhting. Objective, open minded, and appreciative of anything that is good. I swear, you’re like the southern, black version of me. Some folks just don’t get it, but you do.

   I’m drunk. Honestly.

   Comment by Brew City Drew — April 28, 2007 #

2. OK, I’ll say this before any other posters do at the risk of seeming like I’m trying to make an easy joke, but it was a “for real” relief moment when I thought to myself as I read the third paragraph, “Thank God he’s talking about the song!”

   Comment by Rex — April 29, 2007 #

3. Bo wrote:
   The most amazing part here is how it all makes sense. It’s a cohesive narrative made of spare parts, parts that had to be molded to match.

   –

   It’s great when someone can create what you described–true synergy.

   Comment by Rex — April 29, 2007 #

4. And I thought this was gonna be about the American Pie movie series.

   D’Oh!

   Comment by Jarrett — April 29, 2007 #

5. [...] Lates Links April 30, 2007 at 7:10 am | In Jackie Manuel | Star News Online evaluates early entries. Railhawks undefeated/winless! 2001 Leeds United: Champions League Semi-Finalists. 2007 Leeds United: relegated to third tier of English football.  Sunderland and Birmingham are back.  Manchester United are nearly there. Maybe Bomani should stick to sports.  Cameron era off to a fine start. [...]

   Pingback by Lates Links « Jackie Manuel’s Posse — April 30, 2007 #

6. Looks above him quizzically. Whatever.

   American Pie should be required listening, complete with a scholarly breakdown of the symbolism of the lyrics before anyone picks up a pen to call him or herself a “songwriter”.

   And then, if they write something wack, at least they will know what is possible.

   Comment by DP — April 30, 2007 #

7. Wow, the post two posts above me sounds like a rambling of sorts after one Hell of a Saturday night!

   Comment by Rex — April 30, 2007 #

8. this song is chilly… it’s rare that a non-gospel song affects me like this…

   so um, in the interest of time (mine, of-course), where is the symbolism broken down?

   Comment by ladyb — May 1, 2007 #

9. http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/pie.html

   Comment by Temple3 — May 13, 2007 #

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