Don McLean Says 'American Pie' Predicted 'Woke Bullsh–' Culture: 'There's So Much Anger'

Don McLean doesn't want a piece of “American Pie” if it comes with “wake bullsh-” — something he talked about at length in a new interview with Measure published this week.

When asked about the iconic 1971 hit, the 78-year-old singer/songwriter said he felt the eight-minute track predicted the current state of the US. The 60s and the murders and the story that forms the backbone of the song as it goes,” he began. “This song is about the fact that things are kind of going in the wrong direction and I think they keep going in the wrong direction. I think most people who look at America now kind of think that way too.

“I mean, sure we have a great country, and we're doing great things, but we're also in the middle of all this turmoil,” he continued. “All these other things that make absolutely no sense, as far as I can see, other than to undermine the beliefs of people in the country. This is very bad.

“There's so much anger out there,” McLean added. “So many of these students have everything, and they're just angry. They don't know why they are angry. They don't even know what to be angry about. It's really a symptom of the fact that they are frustrated. They have no path that they can walk in life that leads to a better life.”

Before Taylor Swift's “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021, “American Pie” was the longest-running song ever to reach No. 1 on the singles chart, where it stayed for four weeks . After breaking the song's record, McLean said Bulletin board“If I had to lose it to someone, I'm sure glad it was another great singer/songwriter like Taylor.”

The 'Anti-Hero' singer then sent the folk rock star a bouquet of flowers and a sweet note that read: 'Don, I'll never forget standing on the shoulders of giants. Your music meant a lot to me. Sending love from one LONG SONGS writer to another. Your fan, Taylor.”

McLean has remained a fan of Swift in the three years since. In another interview this week, he described her as “a monster star, the size of the galaxy” and a “person who exemplifies what talent and really hard work can achieve.”

“He's constantly working and doing what he does best, whether it's videos or acting or songwriting or records or whatever,” he continued. The Standard. “The only thing is that she stays happy.”