Don McLean
- Dreidel
- Bronco Bill’s Lament
- Oh, My What a Shame
- If We Try
- The More You Pay
- Narcisissima
- Falling Through Time
- On the Amazon (Grey-Newman-Ellis)
- Birthday Song
- The Pride Parade
Released by United Artists in 1972. Follow up to the ‘American Pie’ album and single. From this album, ‘Dreidel’ and ‘If We Try’ became hits. Reissued in 1994 by BGO records on CD with extensive liner notes. Produced by Ed Freeman.
UNITED ARTISTS UAS-5651, Released November 1972 [LP]
UNITED ARTISTS K-0461, Released November 1972 [CS]
UNITED ARTISTS U-8461, Released November 1972 [8T]
UNITED ARTISTS (FESTIVAL) UAL-34676 (AUS), Released 1972 [LP]
BEAT GOES ON (BGO) 2779 246 2 [CD]
All tracks composed by Don McLean unless otherwise stated.
Don McLean peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The photo on the cover of the album was taken overlooking the village of Cold Spring, NY where Don McLean lived at the time.
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“Very moderate. Some good songs such as 'If we Try', 'Birthday Song', 'Bronco Bills Lament' overshadowed by this album's rather dull sound. (Rated 3 out of 5)”
“Wow! I can't believe this album has such a low rating.
Never has an artist examined his sudden catapult to fame with such emotional self-examination.
Every song on this record is terrific and I encourage anyone who hasn't to check it out.
I think Don hit his creative peak beginning with “”Don McLean.”” The two follow-up albums, “”Playing Favorites”” and “”Homeless Brother”” make a worthy collectible triad.
Mark C. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This album has unforgettable songs on it.
I haven't heard it for many years, primarily because I was
told it is out of print and unavailable.
I am very happy to have found it again.
Don McLean has repeatedly exhibited a talent for lyrics.
This album is no exception to that rule. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“How could anyone be negative about these songs?
I think this album is as beautiful as American Pie- a very difficult album to follow
The songs are all great- but the best is The Pride Parade which sort of haunts me
Thankyou Don for these amazing songs (Rated 5 out of 5)”
I learnt to sing because of the songs on this album. They have been in my heart since I was 14. I'm 34 now and still love it to bits. (Rated 5 out of 5)
It's a truly wonderful album. Don's best! (Rated 5 out of 5)
My personal favorite (Rated 5 out of 5)
“This l972 don mclean's album is
the best and great. lyrics please. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Thanks for the Links to Don Mclean Lyrics…from [yvonne.m@eudoramail]
I would like to ask the lyrics of Don Mclean's song (The Pride Parade) (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is really the best album i
like but the problem is i cannot
find the lyrics of the songs. Please send…okay?/
(Rated 5 out of 5)”
This album is really great! And it is the best…nice to have a free CD as a Christmas gift..okay? I need the lyrics of The Pride Parade and Homeless Brother and The legend of Andrew McCrew. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“to me this is Dons best album, this is his peak, his first 3 albums are the best run of albums i have ever heard. but this is the best, Dreidel is amasin! and Bronco Bills Lament has such meaning and messages, not a bad song on here, even on the amason is amusing! if you like Don Mclean then this is the pinnacle, trust me! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Don, how can i avail the lyric of the song “”The Pride Parade””? (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“””The More You Pay”” is one of those
songs that has stayed with me for
years. A nice kind of melancholy
style combined with killer lyrics. (Rated 4 out of 5)”
One of the best LPs in my collection…I listened to it all through high school. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“The album that moved me from a fan of “”American Pie”” to a fan of Don McLean. Absolutely wonderful. 'If We Try' is still one of my favorites. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I liked this Album. To me, it is doesn't compare to AP or Tapestry in terms of quality of lyrics, but it is certainly one of DMs best. (Rated 4 out of 5)”
This is the best album ever made anywhere…of all time. (Rated 5 out of 5)
Falling through time and Oh my what a Shame…best songs ever written…only Nick Drake on par… (Rated 5 out of 5)
“This is the album of Don's that has stuck with me; gloomy, oddball, and affecting. “”Branco Bill's Lament”” is an overlooked classic of American Songwriting, the story of a real fake legend. Some might find this album dour, but there is something uncompromising about it. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is the album of Don's that has stuck with me; gloomy, oddball, and affecting. “”Branco Bill's Lament”” is an overlooked classic of American Songwriting, the story of a real fake legend. Some might find this album dour, but there is something uncompromising about it. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Just a note. I noticed that the first singing cowboy movie star, who's name was Don Maynard, died in the early seventies. I thought his story might have inspired “”Bronco Bill's Lament””, even though it is even sadder than Don's song. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“That this album was not a blockbuster is one of life's mysteries.Should have been album
of the year.Timeless masterpiece. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“American Pie may be Mclean's masterpiece song, but “”Don Mclean”” is his masterpiece album. Every song is great poetry. This album runs you through the gamut of human emotion. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
The songs on this album has touched me since I was a teenager. There is something for every mood and many sseem as though they were written with my life in mind! Brilliant Alblum. (Rated 5 out of 5)
I remember lyrics to this day from that album and sing them to myself frequently (Rated 5 out of 5)
“well, it's not from 1994, but from 1972, but anyway… (Rated 4 out of 5)”
“I haven't got a favourite Don album, but if I HAD to pick one, I would choose this one. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“the pride parade….
top notch tune…
don't get any better than that! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
had this vas an 8track now i need a new copy 5stars (Rated 5 out of 5)
“i have been listening to this album since 1972.. lucky for me the album is still on great shape.. “”the pride parade”” has been one of my most favorite songs ever.. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
a beutiful experience of music and words that paint pictures in your mind. he sings of pain and lonelyness and takes you to those places. (Rated 5 out of 5)
My all time favorite. (Rated 5 out of 5)
I wish to have the lyrics of the song entitled The Pride Parade.Can I have the lyrics? (Rated 5 out of 5)
the VERY BEST of Don…lyrics are astounding as are the images they portray. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“Songs like any of Don McLean's are from the heart which means that their meanings change in each of us throughout our lives. Today's young people can't even begin to comprehend their meaning and yet, the lyrics pertain to them too. Of course this album is a classic. I had “”The Birthday Song”” played at my wedding 18 years ago. The singer changed the word birthday to happy. Sorry Don. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Where can I find lyrics to “”On the Amazon?””……..lgzipper@yahoo.com (Rated 5 out of 5)”
Such an awesome totally imaginitive album this is!!! (Rated 5 out of 5)
“Fabulous wonderful lyrics, artsy, warm, and Birthday Song may be the best love song ever! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I've listened to this album ever since I was a 10-year-old English schoolboy, in 1972. As I've grown older, its meaning has just become ever more significant. Oh My, What A Shame; If We Try; and The Pride Parade are amongst my all time favorite songs and the rest aren't far behind. A timeless gem. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I'm surprised cuts from the album aren't included in Don's “”greatest hits”” CD. From what I can find, too, this album isn't available on CD–Oh my what a shame. This album is a masterpiece of popular music. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Wow! I first heard this album almost 30 years ago from a friend's copy. Pride Parade is my favorite. Could you send me please the lyrics to my email address: jambalaya6@lycos.com
Thanks for re-releasing this album. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
the song oh my what a shame is a exact replica of my own life experience. I like this song when I was only a college boy. It all happened to me later. That is life. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“We saw Don in Denver in the early 80's, (he might remember a large, out of control yellow kite), and didn't get to ask about these songs. Now, we can get them again! AWESOME!! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Another great one. I just love Narcisissma , The More You pay and Bronco Bill's Lament (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I just loved this album. My favorite Don McLean album, with Pie being number 2. Pride Parade, Bronco Bill, and The More You Pay have stayed with me for years. I once had the 8-track too. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“i got a brand new still sealed copy of this album for like 500. weird, cuz its got some of his best somgs ever on it, like pride parade. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
In the 70's this album was my bible. It is the very best!!!! (Rated 5 out of 5)
“I'm mainly into hard classical and prog rock, and have been since the 70's – but when a friend played me Don's 3rd album back in 1973 it bowled me over immediately with its masterly fusion of beautiful musical arrangments and searingly intelligent poetry. After 30 years it still has no equal, and deserves to be far better known than it is. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Amazing, one of the best! Don is simply great. These are songs that one never forgets. Where can i find the lyrics of Dreidel? (Rated 5 out of 5)”
I like this song (Rated 5 out of 5)
“The songs are wonderful!
I like them very much. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
I grew up with this song it is my favorite soung Bye Bye Miss american pie….. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“THE BEST Don McLean Album – hands down! “”Dreidel”” and “”If We Try”” should have both been #1 Hits! 🙁 (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is just from memory–but that is the point. A strange album after the social commentary of Tapestry and the outrageous success of American Pie. And yet, some of these songs that I haven't heard in years–like Bronco Bill's Lament, for instance–linger in memory like the best of McLean's work, gathering poignancy with the passing years. I think I can still remember virtually every word of Bronco Bill. I think of that song as a sort of precursor to Mclean's “”Superman.”” (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is a great album. “”The More You Pay”” and “”Amazon”” and “”Narcisissma”” are songs that have haunted my imagination since I was a kid. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is my favourite Don McLean album and amongst my all time/all artists top five. Is it available on c.d.? I have been unable to find it in New Zealand, where I live, but would love to obtain a copy by mail order from overseas, if possible. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“In my opinion, this is the best Don McLean album. It's sharp, yet dreamy and even shows a playful side. The best! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
Ilove it so much i listen to it everyday. (Rated 5 out of 5)
These songs have stuck with me for 30 years. Many life lessons on a little piece of vynil. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“I think this is the best Don Mc Lean album, with incredible songs like “”Oh my what a shame”” and “”The Pride Parade”” where music and lyrics combine in perfect harmony to talk about human behaviour, family and the universe.
Another remark I can make as a non native english speaker: his pronunciation is so clear that you can understand everything he says at first listening. Just terrific¡
I came across ths album more than 30 yers ago and I can still feel the same initial emotion. Ain't that great? (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This album changed my life. “”The More You Pay”” is an extraordinary song, and I'd love to sit down with Don and talk about what it means. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“””The Pride Parade”” is one of the most overlooked songs around. It got a fair amount of airplay on KADI in St. Louis, but that was 30 years ago. Still one of my favorites, though. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“A great follow up to “”American Pie””. I find that this albumi s sadly overlooked and should be given a new re-mastering job and a big re-release. I love “”Bronco Bill's Lament”” as well as everything else on here. If you haven't already, give it another chance. (Rated 4 out of 5)”
I found this page while looking for the music to the pride parade and I am so overjoyed that others around the world love this wonderful album. Truly inspired and inspiring. (Rated 5 out of 5)
I can't believe 'Bronco Bills Lament' isn't all the best of collections. (Rated 4 out of 5)
“I love this album. Never bought McLean much until recently, though I loved American Pie (song) and Vincent, Crying, Castles in the Air, etc. (Probably due to my lack of money in my youth and his albums came out). But “”The Pride Parade”” – flabbergasted me – sounds just like the awful woman I was recently divorced from. Tried to ruin my life. A “”big liar”” and thief, “”talents of a minor order”” (used her looks to take advantage of and ruin men), folks believed her lies, a golddigger, etc. Very evil. I imagine Don encountered women like this, maybe even married some (don't know much about his past), who used him for his fame and fortune. He is a poetical genius.
“”Oh My What A Shame”” is also great. Reminds me of a wife who I loved. When he wrote “”no one's to blame”” he was being facetious, I think; of course it takes one or both in a marriage behaving badly for it to fail. At a funeral recently for a relative, they had a wedding at the church where the burial was and it was going on when the graveside service started and still going on hours later when some of us went back to the gravesite. A cousin said, “”They have these big weddings, and stay together 30 minutes””. I said, “”You got that right””. Thanks, Don, for putting into music what some or many of us have suffered in marriage and romance.
Walter Mitchell (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“Best regarts from China.
This is the best voice i've ever heard.Though my english is poor,i will say,thank you for your songs. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This was not only a great album for good music, the songs have stayed a part of my memory since the album came out in my sophmore year of high school. Thank you (Rated 5 out of 5)”
My husband and I have always love this album and are excited at the prospect of being able to replace it since losing it some years ago. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“Marvelouis! Don's use of the atonal guitar (“”Falling Through Time””) and his brilliant, poignant writing (“”The Pride Parade””), combined with his skeptical-but-not-cynical side (“”Oh My What a Shame”” “”Narcisissma””) create a true tapestry revealing one of America's greatest troubadors. Pity “”American Pie”” was such a hit; we were all pretty tired of both Don and that song by the time it fell off the charts. Gratefully, my curiosity was ignited and I found this album mere weeks later—greater by far than the American Pie album, IMHO. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“A mixed album but the songs If We try, Birthday Song, Oh My What a Shame and Bronco Bills Lament are amongst Don McLean's greatest (Rated 4 out of 5)”
“This is my favorite of all Don's song compilations. I have played the original LP so much that it's worn out – so it's great to find it has been released as a CD (hopefully not digitally remastered – I love the original version too much). Although it's my favorite collection of songs, “”Tapestry”” from the previous eponymous LP remains my favorite single song. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I bought this cassette when I was 8 years old, and had just joined the C. house music club. I wore this tape out listening to it…just dug it out of a box, 30 years later, and I still know all the words, all the musical nuances, it is still some of the best music ever!! I will always love the melodies, lyrics, humor, and the spectacular voice Don M. showcases on this particular album. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“This is my favorite Don McLean album. I still have it in vinyl and credit it with keeping me sane during high school and college in the late 70's. Amazon, If We Try and Narcissima are still great songs. I think some of the current groups could learn alot by studying these songs. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
The More You Pay (The More It's Worth) is his best song; LP is good… (Rated 4 out of 5)
“Don Mc Lean's music will remain in the consciousness of generations to come. His music transcends culture, race, religion, creed and political affiliation. The reality of Don Mc Lean's music is it heart that captures the essence of being human. There should be a college subject dedicated to the study of music of Don Mc Lean (Rated 5 out of 5)”
Every song is a winner. So glad when it came out on CD. My mom's vinyl album was on its last legs. Thanks to my hip parents I was able to get into Don's music as a young lad. (Rated 5 out of 5)
“I've tried to find this album on CD for years and was always told it was never released. I was singing “”Bronco Bill's Lament”” at work the other day.. how much meaning it has to me now, 30 years later as “”an old man now who worked his youth away.”” Pride Parade and Falling Through Time have always been great favorites of mine. I feel blessed that an artist like Don lived in my lifetime and I was able to grow up with his music. (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“34 years later and still a great album! I'm only 29, and listened to this album on 8track and would love to see a cd version. My favorite song is 'On The Amazon.' Don's sense of humor and love of play on words is funny and clever! Don, thank you for all of the wonderful songs, and to my mom for introducing me to them, she saw you in concert in Baltimore in 1971. Thanks again! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“I remember several press interviews in which Don McLean spoke about the album's melancholy and his regrets about recording it. I was baffled by his comments because to my mind this third LP is his masterpiece, a timeless recording of great songs with universal themes. It's one that I return to over and over — its songs have been part of my life for 30+ years. His other albums are great, but don't touch this one in artistic achievement. I hope the singer/songwriter has mellowed his attitude about this set! (Rated 5 out of 5)”
this is my favorite of all the records it has the joy of experimentation run through every note it is beautiful (Rated 5 out of 5)
“Love the album! Such a classic. It really takes me back.
Does anyone happen to know where the album cover art was taken? It looks so familiar… (Rated 5 out of 5)”
“may I have the copy of the song, “”birthday song””? I'm amazed by it's simple yet very beautiful message. Thanks (Rated 4 out of 5)”
“Please furnish me a copy of Don Mclean's “”Birthday Song””, I really like its very simple yet very beautiful messages. Thank you (Rated 5 out of 5)”
This is the album that began my introduction to Don McLean and I still have my vinyl copy now rather worn.I have been a fan since these early days and am looking forward to his concert in Glasgow in October. (Rated 5 out of 5)
Hi, I’ve been a big fan of Don Mclean’s for years and I actually own his second album (I think it’s his second–it’s the one with On the Amazon). I’ve known this song for years, but have not sung it in a long, long time. I am trying to relearn it, but I have forgotten the chords to it. Is there anywhere online where I could find the chords to this wonderful song?
Try chordie.com. You can search by artist, song title or key words. Sometimes if you type the song title and the word “chords” in google, a fan page might pop up with lyrics/choirds. Finally, there’s youtube–sometimes someone will do a home video recording of themselves covering someone else’s songs–you might get some clues from watching guitar fingerings there. Good luck.
I’m looking at that album cover hanging in my office. That’s a picture of my hometown! Imagine my surprise when finding it on the dollar rack way back in 1993 in a far-off city.
And that’s down town Cold Spring, New York. It’s about 50 miles north of New York city on the banks of the Hudson River. West Point and Storm King is across the river.
Today I stumbled across a Don McLean song on YouTube that I hadn’t heard since the late 70’s called, “Oh My What A Shame”. I used to play all of his songs with great fidelity, and this particular song seemed to bring back a lost era of my past. I said to myself as the song played out, “I used to know how to perform that song really well”. It then hit me how much I loved music back then, for I would listen to all Don McLean’s music and learn how to play them. I always said to myself that Don McLean taught me how to play the Guitar.
Having spent quite a number of years going through some mental illness, I somehow forgot about my music and didn’t pick up my guitar for so many many years. Now I’m feeling much better and have taken an interest in my music once again. To hear Don’s music again after so many years has touched my heart.
I want to try and compose a song about this experience.
Thank you Don.
I have been a fan of Don Mclean since 1972 i have all his albums on record and cd all the singles as well and i listen to his music every day and i mean every day the music is my life and its helped me through lots of bad times.ive seen him in concert more times than i can remember what i love about him is not just the music but his bits of comedy as well.His the ultimate star.