Don McLean Songs Ranked
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. 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. His composition “And I Love You So” has been sung by Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Helen Reddy, Glen Campbell, and others, and in 2000, Madonna had a hit with a rendition of “American Pie”. In 2004, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In January 2018, BMI certified that “American Pie” and “Vincent” had reached five million and three million air plays respectively. Here are all of Don McLean’s songs ranked.
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12. Crying (Chain Lightning, 1978)
“I don’t really mind his voice in “Crying” – it suggests a sort of numbness – and I’m not sure I even mind the syrupy strings (you couldn’t call Orbison’s version tastefully understated, after all), but the drums are stupid, thumping away like a Conservative councillor’s fat finger poking the table as he explains why single mothers are the cause of all economic difficulties.”
11. And I Love You So (And I Love You So, 1989)
“The song is nice, especially the haunting melody of “And I Love You So” which have been covered by many artists. The problem with me is the song are overblown with strings in the last 2 thirds. It’s a pity because it would have sounded much better with only acoustic guitars.”
10. Winterwood (American Pie, 1971)
“Winterwood is a more up-tempo folk-rock number with a catchy melody and lovely refrain. Everybody Loves Me baby is a great toe-tappin’ rocker with great lyrics.”
9. The Grave (American Pie, 1971)
“The Grave is one of the most haunting and surreal looks into the true horrors of war that has ever been recorded. McLean hints at the emptiness of death and the meaning of life lost in a battlefield, which can be simply wrapped up in the words he utters ending the song, ‘he’s gone’, referring to the young man.”
See more: Don McLean Albums Ranked
8. Going for the Gold (Love Tracks, 1987)
“I would call this a folk album. Instrumentally, there are drums, electric and acoustic guitars, piano, bass, mandolin, dobro/steel guitars, fiddle, and percussion. Don composed five of the ten songs. His lyrics are easy to understand and his voice is soothing. It’s an album that gets better with each listens.”
7. Castles in the Air (Tapestry, 1970)
“Love the music and the lyrics, and Don’s fantastic voice, no one cans sing this song as good as he does. It really is a beautiful tune with a sensitive lyric running through the tragic painter’s life in microcosm with the singer’s vocal as narrator leading the listener on until the inevitable sad conclusion.”
6. Respectable (Tapestry, 1970)
“My favorite track is “Respectable,” a protest song that puts Bob Dylan to shame. This proves that Don Mclean was writing excellent songs before the world went crazy over American Pie.”
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5. Mountains O’Mourne (Playin’ Favorites, 1973)
“Great Irish folk song sung by Mr. McLean, an American treasure. I first heard it years ago on his album “Playin Favorites”. Unfortunately this album is no longer available.”
4. Empty Chairs (American Pie, 1971)
“Don Mclean is an artist who wears his heart on his sleeve, and thus the entire album of American Pie can easily be attributed to various events in his own life, from the fact that he was a paperboy when Buddy Holly’s plane crash took place to his bouts with his ex-lover that sculpted the lamentations of “Empty Chairs”.
3. Crossroads (American Pie 1971)
“Crossroads is a pure stunner of revelation, aging, longing and love. “Crossroads” might just be McLean’s best song – a real spine tingler for me. I love the words in this song. It so beautiful it always brings a tear to my eyes. Especially the line, all roads lead to where I am.”
2. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) (American Pie, 1971)
“This is one of those near-perfect masterpieces – for subject and lyrics, melody and delivery. This manages to capture the intense beauty of Van Gogh’s paintings. This is truly so soft and beautiful. Wonderful song.
1. American Pie (American Pie 1971)
“A song dedicated to the day February 3rd 1959 the loss of legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Great Lyrics and melody, how Much better can it get? American Pie is perhaps the seventies best known song, and one of the singly greatest tracks ever recorded. The imagery and historical references are perfectly blended with a song of celebration, lamentation and remembrance.”
