63. Vincent by Don McLean

"Vincent" by Don McLean

Written by Don McLean
Produced by Ed Freeman
Released on American Pie (October 24, 1971)
Released as a single on June 17, 1972
Peaked at #12 on Billboard Hot 100
amazon spotify iTunes

People say that "Vincent" by Don McLean is the most beautiful song in pop music history. That's why it's on the list. Who are these people? Well, there's me, and there's also a professional musician I was friends with back in the day, so yes, "people" do say this.

Why is the song with the most beautiful melody ever recorded not higher on the list? Well, melody isn't everything, and beauty isn't everything. Beautiful music and sweet melodies serve particular purposes. They can put the listener into a good mood, or they can calm the listener. They can make the listener smile. Sometimes they can help illicit strong feelings between two listeners. Beauty is a powerful thing, but music has other powers and magics too.

I don't always choose to listen to beautiful music. (People also say that.) When I do listen to beautiful music, this song will always find its way into the playlist.

If you ask me why this song is so beautiful, I'm not sure I could definitively say. Although I have a rudimentary understanding of music theory from my years playing jazz in high school and college, I don't often want to bother thinking about music theory when I'm enjoying music. I like to think that I like what I like. The Pandora music service once told me that I like songs that have minor keys and subtle harmonies. I thought that was interesting, but it didn't end up changing much about how I choose my music or interact with music.

Generally I treat music the way I treat art: I like it or I don't. When I visit an art museum, I tend to just take in what is around me. Sometimes I'll read a little about the art. Occasionally I'll take guided tours. Most often, though, it's just me and the artwork. I learned that, especially with abstract art, I get no enjoyment from trying to figure out the art. I choose instead to just look at it. If it speaks to me, great! Otherwise I move on to whatever's next. I'm sure there is, so-called, great art that I have seen and passed by, just like there is great music that I have heard and ignored or turned off. There are also songs and paintings that grow on me over time, just as there are others that I eventually grow tired of.

Everyone's definition of beauty is unique to them. We each have our own ideas of what we want to gain from listening to music or viewing artwork. We each seek out different kinds of emotions during those experiences. Some may value beauty above all else. Others thrive on discord and distortion. Others want the art and music to match and amplify their current mood, and some will use the experience to help alter their mood and outlook. Some people may just be happy with all of this safely in the background, only letting their unconscious mind feel and hear and see the beauty surrounding them while they go about their day. Others want to immerse themselves so fully into the art and music of their lives, that it drowns out everything else.

For me, I generally look for music that fits the mood I'm in or that will help me work through whatever I'm doing. If I need to get excited or keep working, I've got music for that. If I'm trying to relax or settle down, I've got music for that. I rarely just sit and listen to music anymore. Usually it's playing in the background, but sometimes I have to turn it off to better focus on what I'm doing. Other times I have to stop what I'm doing to listen to something beautiful or powerful or moving or sad.

So with all that in mind, I come back to this: I find "Vincent" by Don McLean to be more beautiful than any other song I have ever heard. Don McLean, in writing about Vincent Van Gogh, penned a masterpiece. It's sad and beautiful and sweet. His voice and guitar evoke everything that is magical and powerful about beauty, and that's enough.

Right now, "Vincent" by Don McLean is (probably) my 63rd favorite song of all time.