Forty Five years ago? Really?

It is hard to believe that it was 1971 when Don McLean released the classic song "American Pie".  It was a number-one US hit for four weeks in 1972, and the song was listed as the No. 5 song on the Recording Industry Association of America's  project on the top songs of the century.

But what does the song mean?

Most believe the song was written about the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, with the reference of the day the music died.

McLean has generally avoided responding to direct questions about the song lyrics; he has said: "They're beyond analysis. They're poetry.

Poetry indeed. Happy 45th Birthday to American Pie.