--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because of an off-hand funny comment I…" description: "\"Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a concert years ago, a story circulated that the song has been a burden and even that I didn’t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png" --- # Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a… ![“Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a concert years ago, a story circulated that the song has been a burden and even that I didn’t sing it for a while. That’s completely false. I am very proud of ‘American Pie’ and the many satellites that grow from it and revolve around it…” quote by Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png) > “Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a concert years ago, a story circulated that the song has been a burden and even that I didn’t sing it for a while. That’s completely false. I am very proud of ‘American Pie’ and the many satellites that grow from it and revolve around it. For many years I carried my songs around and now they carry me around. I have always sung ‘American Pie’ for my audience and would never think of disappointing them since it is they who have given me a wonderful life and untold affection for almost 30 years.” [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Affirms pride in his iconic song, emphasizing its lasting influence and reciprocal relationship with fans over decades. **In simple terms:** He values his song and its impact, seeing it as a two‑way exchange. Key Takeaway Respect and nurture the bond with your audience. Themes pride legacy artist‑audience relationship Mood nostalgic grateful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - concerts - media interviews - song retrospectives - fan events Key Concepts cultural impact songwriting philosophy fan loyalty Questions to Reflect On - How do artists balance personal expression with audience expectations? - What responsibilities do fans have to an artist’s evolution? A Different Perspective Fans’ expectations can pressure artists to conform, limiting creative freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [American pie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-pie/) [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Concerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerts/) [Pie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pie/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Satellites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satellites/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [Wonderful life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful-life/) ## Related quotes > [A song is a burden that you carry happily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mani-ratnam/a-song-is-a-burden-that-you-carry-happily/) [Mani Ratnam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mani-ratnam/) > [“Songs carry memories almost as reliably and poignantly as smells.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-haybittle/songs-carry-memories-almost-as-reliably-and-poignantly-as-smells/) [Glenn Haybittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-haybittle/) > [A lot of writers don't know what it feels like to get on stage. They don't understand the weight that songs can carry. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-tranter/a-lot-of-writers-don-t-know-what-it-feels-like-to-get-on-stage-they/) [Justin Tranter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-tranter/) > [I was lucky enough to write songs that carry a good beat and tell a real story that people could feel was their story,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fats-domino/i-was-lucky-enough-to-write-songs-that-carry-a-good-beat-and-tell-a/) [Fats Domino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fats-domino/) > [Our songs all carry the same way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-hanson/our-songs-all-carry-the-same-way/) [Isaac Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-hanson/) > ["I dissolve in trust, I will sing with joy, I will end up dust". The line really spoke to me. That's what it is:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gahan/i-dissolve-in-trust-i-will-sing-with-joy-i-will-end-up-dust-the-line/) [Dave Gahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gahan/) > [When people ask me what 'American Pie' means, I tell them it means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/when-people-ask-me-what-american-pie-means-i-tell-them-it-means-i-don/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [That song didn't just happen. It grew out of my experiences. 'American Pie' was part of my process of self-awakening: a mystical trip into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/that-song-didn-t-just-happen-it-grew-out-of-my-experiences-american/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Basically, in 'American Pie,' things are heading in the wrong direction. It is becoming less ideal, less idyllic. I don't know whether you consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/basically-in-american-pie-things-are-heading-in-the-wrong-direction/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [When writing I just go with the song. I go with the song and try to tell the story. So the story may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/when-writing-i-just-go-with-the-song-i-go-with-the-song-and-try-to/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Drove my chevy to the levee but the levee was dry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/drove-my-chevy-to-the-levee-but-the-levee-was-dry/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [When people ask what 'American Pie' is about, they're missing the point. The song isn't about the lines themselves - it's about what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/when-people-ask-what-american-pie-is-about-they-re-missing-the-point/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [As you can imagine, over the years I have been asked many times to discuss and explain my song "American Pie." I have never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/as-you-can-imagine-over-the-years-i-have-been-asked-many-times-to/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/not-a-word-was-spoken-the-church-bells-all-were-broken/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [American Pie speaks to the loss that we feel. That's why that song has found the niche that it has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/american-pie-speaks-to-the-loss-that-we-feel-that-s-why-that-song-has/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## More by Don McLean > [My parents were not musical, and they were not effervescent people; everything was very quiet. The music that I played was loud; it used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/my-parents-were-not-musical-and-they-were-not-effervescent-people/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I am what I do, and that's partly why I don't want to give up singing. But when I can't sing well, I will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-am-what-i-do-and-that-s-partly-why-i-don-t-want-to-give-up-singing/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The society that produced The Who, The Stones, Dylan, Paul McCartney and later on people, like myself, is over. The materialistic society that produces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-society-that-produced-the-who-the-stones-dylan-paul-mccartney-and/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-if-she-asks-you-why-you-can-tell-her-that-i-told-you-that-i-m/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I saw satan laughing with delight The day the music died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-saw-satan-laughing-with-delight-the-day-the-music-died/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [I mean, I've been given a terrific life by the audiences who stuck with me all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/i-mean-i-ve-been-given-a-terrific-life-by-the-audiences-who-stuck/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [You're going to be buying your ticket with your heartache, you're gonna be payin' the man with your dues. You're gonna be living alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/you-re-going-to-be-buying-your-ticket-with-your-heartache-you-re/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Starry, starry night, flaming flowers that brightly blaze, swirling clouds in violet haze reflect Vincent's eyes of china blue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/starry-starry-night-flaming-flowers-that-brightly-blaze-swirling/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Faces come and faces go in circular rotation.But something yearns within to grow beyond infatuation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/faces-come-and-faces-go-in-circular-rotation-but-something-yearns/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Every thread of creation is held in position by still other strands of things living. In an earthly tapestry hung from the skyline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/every-thread-of-creation-is-held-in-position-by-still-other-strands/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Herman Melville was supposed to be an accountant. Van Gogh was meant to be an art dealer. I was meant to take the train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/herman-melville-was-supposed-to-be-an-accountant-van-gogh-was-meant/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [American Pie speaks to the loss that we feel. That's why that song has found the niche that it has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/american-pie-speaks-to-the-loss-that-we-feel-that-s-why-that-song-has/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [And when no hope was left inside on that starry, starry night, you took your life as lovers often do. But I could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/and-when-no-hope-was-left-inside-on-that-starry-starry-night-you-took/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [The horrible thing about Death of princess Diana - the sacrificial lamb, which she was. And I believe, in a sense, John Kennedy, Jr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/the-horrible-thing-about-death-of-princess-diana-the-sacrificial-lamb/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) > [Not a word was spoken. The church bells all were broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/not-a-word-was-spoken-the-church-bells-all-were-broken/) [Don McLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) [Explore all 96 Don McLean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/) ## More Affection quotes > [My team and I have reunited two elements that coexist with diffiulty: respect and affection, because when they love you they don't respect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/my-team-and-i-have-reunited-two-elements-that-coexist-with-diffiulty/) [Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/) > [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [“It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/it-is-to-build-a-house-with-affection-even-as-if-your-beloved-were-to/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [A lost love. Deny it who will, ridicule it, treat it as mere imagination and sentiment, the thing is and will be; and women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/a-lost-love-deny-it-who-will-ridicule-it-treat-it-as-mere-imagination/) [Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/) > [Affection! Affection is false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/affection-affection-is-false/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [We are a spectacular, splendid manifestation of life. We have language. . . . We have affection. We have genes for usefulness, and usefulness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-a-spectacular-splendid-manifestation-of-life-we-have-language/) [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [If you live in a material universe where acquiring things is very important to you, then family is an absolute deterrent to maintaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/if-you-live-in-a-material-universe-where-acquiring-things-is-very/) [John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/) > [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Georgia O’Keeffe moved to rural New Mexico, from which she would sign her letters to the people she loved, “from the faraway nearby.” It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/georgia-o-keeffe-moved-to-rural-new-mexico-from-which-she-would-sign/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) [Browse all 2,465 Affection quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a concert years ago, a story circulated that the song has been a burden and even that I didn’t sing it for a while. That’s completely false. I am very proud of ‘American Pie’ and the many satellites that grow from it and revolve around it. For many years I carried my songs around and now they carry me around. I have always sung ‘American Pie’ for my audience and would never think of disappointing them since it is they who have given me a wonderful life and untold affection for almost 30 years.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Don McLean" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-made-backstage-at-a-concert/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Affection" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-made-backstage-at-a-concert/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b44/don-mclean-6904_affection_because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-m_1172849.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Because of an off-hand funny comment I made backstage at a concert years ago, a story circulated that the…” — Don McLean", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Don McLean", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-mclean/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Because of an off-hand funny comment...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-made-backstage-at-a-concert/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-mclean/because-of-an-off-hand-funny-comment-i-made-backstage-at-a-concert/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```