Q 01/05

Which singer's ten-minute 2021 hit took the record for longest number-one single from 'American Pie'?

A) Ariana Grande

B) Taylor Swift

C) Billie Eilish

D) Olivia Rodrigo

Answer · why

B) Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift sent Don McLean flowers and a handwritten note when 'All Too Well (10 Minute Version)' broke his record. He said that if he had to lose i...

Q 02/05

Which country's leader sang 'American Pie' at a 2023 White House state dinner hosted by Joe Biden?

A) Australia

B) Philippines

C) South Korea

D) New Zealand

Answer · why

C) South Korea

South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol took the microphone after the evening's musical performances, and Biden then presented him with a guitar autographed by Do...

Q 03/05

Which comedy act retold a Star Wars prequel to the tune of 'American Pie' in 'The Saga Begins'?

A) Flight of the Conchords

B) The Lonely Island

C) Adam Sandler

D) "Weird Al" Yankovic

Answer · why

D) "Weird Al" Yankovic

"Weird Al" Yankovic got Don McLean's blessing for the 1999 parody. McLean later admitted that his children played it so often he almost sang the Star ...

Q 04/05

What was 13-year-old Don McLean doing when he learned of the 1959 plane crash that 'American Pie' mourns?

A) Delivering newspapers

B) Listening to the radio

C) Watching the evening news

D) Riding the school bus

Answer · why

A) Delivering newspapers

Delivering newspapers in New Rochelle, New York, he cut the twine on a bundle of the local Standard-Star and saw the story on the front page. The song...

Q 05/05

How did Don McLean's record label fit the eight-and-a-half-minute 'American Pie' onto a 45 rpm single?

A) Faded it out at four minutes

B) Split across both sides

C) Trimmed out three verses

D) Sped up the master tape

Answer · why

B) Split across both sides

Split across both sides, the single carried the first 4:11 on the front and the last 4:31 on the flip. Radio stations began by playing part one alone,...