Donald McLean III (born October 2, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1971 hit song "American Pie", an 8.5-minute folk rock "cultural touchstone" about the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation (US #1 for four weeks in 1972 and UK #2).
McLean's grandfather and father, both also named Donald McLean, had roots originating in Scotland. The Buccis, the family of McLean's mother, Elizabeth, came from Abruzzo in central Italy.
Four years of hard work!This month of May we celebrated four years on the air. We continue working on the dissemination of this wonderful instrument, thank you for participating in our story!
[Verse 1] GGCG Starry, starry night, G paint your palette Am Blue and grey, AmCCmaj7 Look out on a summer's day, DD7G with eyes that know the darkness in my soul GGCG Shadows on the hills, GAm Sketch the trees and the daffodills AmCCmaj7 Catch the breeze and the winter chills, in D7GCG colors on the snowy linen land
[Chorus] GAmD Now I under stand D7GD/F#Em what you tried to say to me EmAm and how you suffered for your sanity D7Em How you tried to set them free, EmA7C they would not listen, they did not know how, DG Perhaps they'll listen now
[Verse 2] GGCG Starry, starry night, G flaming flowers that AmAmC Brightly blaze, swirling clouds in violet haze DG Reflecting Vincent’s eyes of China Blue GGCG Colors changing hue, GAm Morning fields of amber grain AmC Weathered faces lined in pain DD7G Are soothed beneath the artists loving hand
[Chorus] GAmD7 And now I understand DGD/F#Em what you tried to say to me EmAm7D7 how you suffered for your sanity D7Em How you tried to set them free, EmA7C they would not listen, they did not know how, D7G Perhaps they'll listen now
[Bridge] GAmD7 For they could not love you, D7GD/F#Em but still your love was true EmAm And when no hope was left in sight Cm On that starry, starry night, you GFE7 took your life as lovers often do AmC But I could have told you, Vincent, this world was CD7GCG Never meant for one as beautiful as you
[Verse 3] GGCG Starry, starry night, GAm portraits hung in empty halls AmC framless heads on nameless walls DD7G with eyes that watch the world and can’t forget G Like the strangers that you’ve met GAm The ragged men in ragged clothes AmC A silver thorn, a bloody rose, lie DD7G Crushed and broken on the virgin snow
GAmD7 And now I think I know, D7GD/F#Em what you tried to say to me, EmAmD7 how you suffered for your sanity D7Em How you tried to set them free, EmA7C They would not listen, they’re not listening still, DG Perhaps the never....will