But it moves on to describe America as I was seeing it and how I was fantasizing it might become. The song starts off with my memories of the death of Buddy Holly. “It is biographical in nature and I don’t think anyone has ever picked up on that. They’re poetry.” That may be so, but the song presents an abstract story of McLean’s life. As for the lyrics, he said, “They’re beyond analysis. 1 on the Hot 100 chart, and in the decades that have followed, McLean has attempted to clear up confusion as to what exactly the song is about. Cheerleaders and a guest appearance by co-star and BFF Rupert Everett (who provides backing vocals in the song) make it appear that all is right in the land of the free, but is anyone else listening to the lyrics masked by the upbeat tempo? The accompanying music video cuts between Madonna dancing in front of an American flag (wearing a tiara) and various Americans, including same sex couples, working class citizens and angst ridden teens who may or may not believe in rock ‘n roll.
