Don wanted to re-record the song for its 50th anniversary and contacted Home Free to collaborate. If I remember correctly, this video was released on the 62nd anniversary of "The day the music died", the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J. P. Richardson "The Big Bopper"

There is a radio edit that most people are familiar with. In that one, I believe the verse Rob sang is eliminated. So to have the full song is a treat! This song was everywhere! During the ick, when the song was nearing it's 50th anniversary, Don reached out to Home Free about doing it for the anniversary. There is a documentary on Paramount + about the song and Don's career and of course, Home Free makes an appearance. And cool fact, this video won an award!

@JulieAnn02261990

11 ай бұрын

I remember when the song came out on the radio, there was no edit, it was a full eight minute song. It's iconic.

@lynnramsay8821

11 ай бұрын

They won 3 Telly Awards for this

@deidreatruitt8970

11 ай бұрын

Don actually called them to do the 50th anniversary version of American Pie, they also were with him at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

@dagmar.6954

11 ай бұрын

I also remember hearing the full length version. But many radio stations were used to only playing 3 min. long songs. @@JulieAnn02261990

Don was the one to contact Home Free for the 50th. The song is so iconic. The Day the Music Died was 20 years before this song.

Love this remake of this classic song. Can't believe it came out 50 years ago. Don McLean still has a good voice for his age. And love hearing all the guys take a turn in a verse. Poor Adam had to do such a long stretch of beatboxing but he nailed it. Think the song is about 8 min. long. Don McLean received his Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame recently & Home Free was invited to sing a portion of this song there. What an honor for them. "American Pie" pays tribute to the loss of 3 legends who died so young (Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper). A lot of references in the song are made to many artists from the early days of music including Elvis, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Byrds & others.

This song is not about pie, apple or otherwise. It's about moments in time of American music and in particular the loss of 3 great musicians of the era. The day the music died. I doubt that young people of the 70s paid as much attention to the lyrics as to the catchy chorus and the upbeat rhythm. It's an icon of American music now, and Don McLean is a living legend. Thank you, girls, for the awesome respect you paid the length and mood of it.

@thomasmacdiarmid8251

11 ай бұрын

Oh, no. The kids of the 70s were trying to dissect the meaning of the lyrics as soon as it came out. Some parts are more obvious and other parts less so. And while 'the day the music died' was the day of the crash, there is a LOT of the song that deals more generally with events in popular music from that day up through the end of the 60s.

@vernhoke7730

10 ай бұрын

I got it right away.

@Ed_Gein

9 ай бұрын

This song was based off of a plane crash involving buddy holly and richie valence and a 3rd artist. In fact Walen Jennings was supposed to be on that plane but he gave up his seat. Later in the song he mentions meeting a girl who sang the blues, who i believe was janis joplin. But the song was a poetic tapestry of his life with that music and the death of an era, when they died. It was the day music died. It was a brilliant song in poetry and a masterclass in song writing.

HF came out with this exactly on the 50th anniversary when Don McClean first recorded it. Don was 75 when he did this collab with HF and although he did strain on certain parts, overall he sounded pretty much the same as the original. Adam's beatboxing on this was insane for such a long recording.

Yes, Don McLean wrote and sang the original song. The reason there’s no “balls drop” in the singing was because they stayed close to the original. You can hear some pretty low notes when Tim is doing background hums. They said Adam Rupp (the beatboxer) almost passed out when recording it. I used to play the whole song on guitar and sing it in high school and college, and you’re absolutely right that it’s long!

@katrinaprescott5911

11 ай бұрын

I think it is a tribute to Tim's maturity as an artist that he doesn't feel the need to throw in a gratuitous bass drop in a song that doesn't call for it just because he can.

@DennisKovacich

11 ай бұрын

@@katrinaprescott5911, one reactor I watched commented on the slide Rob did on “falling fast” to a fairly high note as if it wasn’t how Don originally sang it. Each of them sang his verse very close to the original as an homage to Don and the classic song.

@katrinaprescott5911

11 ай бұрын

@@DennisKovacich True, but Tim does this for every song. If there is not a bass drop in the original song, it doesn't get one when he sings it. I have observed in live performances he does emphasize his ability to cause seismic events more - likely because audiences would revolt otherwise. They don't go to concerts to HEAR Tim sing - they go to FEEL him sing 😁

They released this on the 50th anniversary of the song. The song is about Buddy Holly's place crash after they performed at the Surf Ballroom. Don was supposed to perform at the Surf Ballroom, since Covid he couldn't perform and did this instead. This song for me is always special since I live near the Surf and often attend great shows there. Its a neat piece of history. Tim did a video touring the Surf at the time this was released. Its worth checking out that video to understand the history,

Home Free does a lot of collaborations. This was actually Don's request to do it. I suggest an older three. A collab with Lee Greenwood's " Proud To Be An American", Kenny Rodgers and them, and an older one with the Oak Ridge Boys, "Elvira"".

Don's almost 78 years old now and his manager came to Home Free to see if they would do this for the 50th anniversary of the song. It was during the "Ick" times, but Austin and Tim both live in the area of Nashville so they did get to go into the studio with Don on this one and the other Home Free members were remote. There is a behind-the-scenes video of the making of this somewhere on KZread and they each won a couple of Telly Awards for this video.

This is an iconic song with meaning behind it. The original radio version was the full length, it told a great story if you paid attention to the lyrics.

@nancyholter5646

11 ай бұрын

If you are younger than 65, unless you are a student of US and music history, many of the lyrics make no real sense.

@vernhoke7730

10 ай бұрын

Actually the the original radio version was side 1 of the 2 sided 45rpm single in 1971. It played all the the time on AM radio. Once it hit FM AOR stations the full 8+ minutes album version was in regular rotation. Although it's been over 50 years I remember it well. Some things stick with you.

This was during Covid so I thought the boxes were clever. It reminded me of shadow boxes you keep your memories in. It’s a long song. It’s the 50th Anniversary of the song so Don wanted to remake it. He called Home Free. How cool is that?! Don sounded great for 75! When he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame he called HF up and they went out there and helped him celebrate. It was very popular when I was young so they played it a lot and I got sick of it. Not my favorite song but it was super popular and spoke of the deaths of some great singers.

Great reaction y'all. It was done during ick. When Don got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the guys were there and sang part of the song. Poor Adam Rupp having to keep that beat going for almost 8 full minutes. When is he supposed to breathe? 😊 Lydia and Hannah, enjoy your cruise, Lelia and the rest of us will hold the fort down until y'all get back. Love all of yall ❤❤!!

@barbarakennedy2667

11 ай бұрын

There was a bit of worry that Adam was lightheaded after the song ended

Don McLean's agent suggested collaborating with Home Free for the 50 th anniversary of the song. Don said he didn't know who they were, but after listening to a couple tracks. He was all in and told his agent call them up right now.😊

One of the all time classic songs with very deep meaning behind all the lyrics. There is a behind the scenes video of this that is worth watching too.

Good reaction ladies! Now you need to check out Weird Al's version, "The Saga Begins." Don admitted in an interview that he accidentally sang part of "The Saga Begins" in a concert. Keep on keepin' on, ladies!

This was the version Don McLean did to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his monster hit classic. He chose Home Free to do it with, I have heard.

I was a sophomore in high school when the song came out and this just gave me a flashback of glory days. 😄 Don McClean's voice may have wavered a bit but he sounds great and just like he did back in the day. Adam and Tim make a killer rhythm section, Adam's beatboxing is insane on this song and while Tim's balls may not have dropped to the floor, he had a few low notes in his bass line. Great reaction as usual. Puff puff pass 🙌✌️

This song is "50 years old". Don asked Home Free to dothe remake with him.

Don was indeed the original, and also the writer. Y'all should check out a video talking about the song and the meaning of the various references in it. It talks about so many performers and events of an era of American music and Pop Culture.. References to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and so many others. Of course the big tribute (the day the music died) was the day a small plane crashed after a concert and Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and the great Buddy Holly were killed.

Yes, during Covid. Tim and Austin met Don, because he was recorded in Nashville. IIRC

Adam Rupp killed this with is percussion! I heard he actually about passed out doing this classic peice!

They admitted to some slight fangirling... But the excitement over covering this song with Don McLean on it's 50th anniversary was too much to pass up.

This was during COVID lockdown they were not even all in the same place. Any Home Free video you see where they seem to be in boxes or on TV's it's during that time they could not get together and did their vocals and videos remotely. Only Don, Austin, and Tim were in the studio in Nashville where they live the others were all around the country. Don requested that Home Free do this 50 year tribute to the song as he wanted something special for that and he could think of no one better than Home Free because "They understand Harmony!

I’ve watched you 3 ladies for basically all the Home Free reactions and this one stands out with no pauses. Also, y’all looked awestruck, not just of Home Free doing their thing, but with Don McLean…50 year tribute…keep it up ladies!!! Love all of you!

the clips behind them are fascinating plus their little boxes are beyond amazing. Plus Don sounds good as as ever! Epic

Sounds like home free Elvira needs to be next on the list

You all do have a flare for this reaction stuff. Have fun on the cruise. We promise to take good care of Leila in the meantime. 😎

I can still remember the first time I heard this song. It was 6:45 in the morning and I was getting ready for school. I went to high school and told everyone who would listen about this new tune I just heard on the radio. I love the way that HF is doing some of the classics, especially when they can include the original artist.

LOL...Lelia said droppage.....NICE!!!! Great tune. Great reaction and yes during ICK!!!

Don reached out to Home to do the song. They also sang Elvira with the Oakridge Boys, God Bless The USA with Lee Greenwood. Also did a song with Kenny Rogers Children Go Where I Send Thee. They were contacted by the original singers to team up.

Pure pleasure

This song will never be performed live because it's non-stop beatboxing for 8 minutes LOL 😅poor Adam, he's a beast ❤❤

Thank you for reacting to this .. I Really enjoy your channel ☺ I think this collaboration was done for the 50th Anniversary of the Original release of the song in 1971

Beat boxer was killing it. He needs a medal

It was quarantine, so the only ones who got to meet Don were Austin and Tim, since all 3 of them recorded their parts in Nashville. I think the biggest kudos in this song has to go to Adam Rupp for 8 minutes continues drumming, if that isn't breath coontrol I don't know what is

A great version of this iconic song. There is a short behind the scenes on Home Free's channel, which seems to indicate that they were actually together for the recording, but I think they did the videos separately.

This was awesome collaboration! Love your reactions.

An upgrade for American Pie with the original artist Don McLean!

Lyrically, this may be one of the greatest songs ever written. Some of it may sound like nonsense (and some of it WAS), most of it referred to monumental people and events of the time. It’s a great history lesson for any who care to investigate.

Check out Home Free with Mark Wills "Don't laugh at me" . Mark's daughter also joins in singing at the end. Also "Brothers in Arms"

They go all fangirl for Elvira ft the Oak Ridge Boys 😊

Home Free Snow Globe /. Peter Hollen and Tim Foust Sound of Silence

Don McLean's iconic classic American Pie came out in 1972. The song is a masterpiece, covering everything from the tragic plane crash to Altamont & Kent State. Home Free's singing, harmonies & beatboxing are always terrific. I think the age in Don McLean's voice only adds to the poignancy of the song. Thanks for playing it!

God bless. This one to never touch.

it about the plane crash that took the life of Buddy Holley , Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson were all killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson.

the guys actually got be with Don Mclean when Don got a star on walk of fame last yr , he wanted them there, and i believe Tim and Austin was at the same place Don was when he recorded if i remember correctly .

This was done for the 50th anniversary of the song and yes it was during lockdown.

as he said I remember the news that day It was so sad

Now you should do the Weird Al Parody of this song, The Saga Begins.

love the song original or new but i wish the words was not american pie should be english pie im guessing you all have heard the term as American as apple pie right well its not american at all pie was taken to america with the colonists from the uk so god knows why its suddenly now called american pie but other than that 👏👏👏👏👏another great pick Scott M 👏👏👏👏👏

Good thing the word 'reaction' isn't in the title...

There is a move called la Bomba

They did meet.

I have heard the beat-boxer was exhausted at the end of this, remember he had the largest part.

Hey when is your next Dimash reaction going to be?