Don McLean released this groundbreaking song on the album American Pie in 1971. It is full of pop-culture references. An entire website has been created by Jim Fann to explore the song— Understanding American Pie.

This song tackles the evolution of rock & roll through the 60s, following the 1959 plane crash that led to the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. McLean explores many of the major events of the 60s, including the moon landings, Dylan’s rise and crash, the dominance of The Beatles, and the death of Janis Joplin.

While his magnum opus is known for its deep, almost cryptic lyrics, for many years McLean left its meaning up to the speculation of others, feeling no need to explain things himself. Asked by one interviewer what the song meant, McLean said, “It means I never have to work again.”

McLean first revealed intended meaning of his lyrics in 2015, when the original manuscript and notes were sold at auction for a fee to the tune of $1.2 million.

Although the lyrics might no longer be enigmatic, McLean’s track will forever be regarded as a poetic look into the past of rock & roll.

For a quick summary of what the song means, check out this video: