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The original manuscript of Don McLean's enigmatic song American Pie sold at auction in New York yesterday for US$1.2 million, Christie's said.
The 18 pages of manuscript, written in pencil, ink and typescript on 17 sheets, was expected to fetch between US$1 and US$1.5 million at the auction house. Christie's said the buyer was anonymous.
McLean, 69, said he wanted to release the manuscript to help people understand the true meaning of the 1971 song, which depicts turbulent upheavals of the latter half of the 20th century.
"It was an indescribable photograph of America that I tried to capture in words and music," he said in February in the Christie's catalogue.
The song was initially inspired by his memories of being a paperboy in 1959 and learning of the death of Buddy Holly.
But it also represents a changing America from the brightness of the 1950s to darker 1960s.
Its phrase "the day the music died" was long known to refer to the 1959 plane crash that killed rock 'n' roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson.
But music enthusiasts have long agonised over the true meaning of all the lyrics in the song's six verses that run to well over eight minutes.
"I would say to young songwriters who are starting out to immerse yourself in beautiful music and beautiful lyrics, and think about every word you say in a song," McLean said in the Christie's catalogue.
The song, which was a No. 1 US hit for four weeks in 1972, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and named the fifth greatest song of the 20th century by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment of the Arts.
The other four were Over the Rainbow, White Christmas, This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie and Respect by Otis Redding.
Born in 1945, McLean was brought up in New Rochelle, New York and moved to New York city as a young troubadour in 1964 after dropping out of college.
He released his first album Tapestry in 1970 and his second album American Pie, named after its hit single, was a phenomenal success.
He wrote the song in Cold Spring, New York and Philadelphia in 1970-71.
According to local lore in upstate Saratoga Springs, McLean first wrote the lyrics on paper napkins in a bar where he used to drink in between gigs at Caffe Lena, a famous coffeehouse in the city known for its racetrack and mineral waters.
McLean has denied the popular legend, telling a local newspaper in a 2011 interview that he wrote the song in Philadelphia.
Tom Lecky, head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, said it was the third highest sale price at auction for an American literary manuscript.
"This result is a testament to the creative genius of Don McLean and to the song's ability to still engage and inspire," he said.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


Buy, buy, American Pie: Don McLean manuscript fetches US$1.2m at auction

The original manuscript for American Pie. Photos: Reuters

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Original document of Don McLean's song fetches US$1.2m at auction


The original manuscript of Don McLean's enigmatic song American Pie sold at auction in New York on Tuesday for US$1.2 million, Christie's said.


Buy, buy, American Pie: Don McLean manuscript fetches US$1.2m at auction

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Original document of Don McLean's song fetches US$1.2m at auction

Original document of Don McLean's song fetches US$1.2m at auction