Using AI to interpret the iconic 1970s rock ballad, American Pie
One of the most interpreted and dissected rock songs of all time might be Don MacLean’s iconic ballad, American Pie, released in 1971. We try to settle the issue once and for all by asking Midjourney to interpret the lyrics in the style of the famous street artist Banksy. (I write about this exercise in my Substack newsletter. Check it out.)
"Long long time ago, I can still remember How that music used to make me smile + in the style of banksy"
"And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance + And maybe they'd be happy for a while + in the style of banksy"
"But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step + in the style of banksy"
"I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride + But something touched me deep inside The day the music died + in the style of banksy"
"So bye-bye Miss American Pie + Drove my Chevy to the levee But the levee was dry + in the style of banksy"
"Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye + Singing, "This'll be the day that I die" This will be the day that I die" + in the style of banksy"
"Did you write the Book of Love? + And do you have faith in God above? If the Bible tells you so + Do you believe in rock 'n' roll? + Can music save your mortal soul? + And can you teach me how to dance real slow? + in the style of banksy"
"Well I know that you're in love with him 'Cause I saw you dancing in the gym + You both kicked off your shoes Then I dig those rhythm and blues + I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck + But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died + in the style of banksy"
"When the jester sang for the King and Queen In a coat he borrowed from James Dean + And a voice that came from you and me + in the style of banksy"
"Now for ten years we've been on our own + And moss grows fat on a rolling stone + But that's not how it used to be + in the style of banksy"
"Oh and while the King was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown + in the style of banksy"
"The courtroom was adjourned + No verdict was returned + in the style of banksy"
"And while Lenin read a book of Marx The Quartet practiced in the park + in the style of banksy"
"And we sang dirges in the dark The day the music died + in the style of banksy"
"Helter skelter in the summer swelter + The birds flew off with a fallout shelter + Eight miles high and falling fast + in the style of banksy"
"It landed foul on the grass + the players tried for a forward pass + With the jester on the sidelines in a cast + in the style of banksy"
"Now the halftime air was sweet perfume + While the sergeants played a marching tune + We all got up to dance Oh, but we never got the chance + in the style of banksy"
"'Cause the players tried to take the field + The marching band refused to yield + Do you recall what was revealed The day the music died? + in the style of banksy"
"Oh, and there we were all in one place + A generation lost in space + With no time left to start again + in the style of banksy"
"So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick + Jack Flash sat on a candlestick + 'Cause fire is the devil's only friend + in the style of banksy"
"Oh, and as I watched him on the stage My hands were clenched in fists of rage + No angel born in Hell Could break that Satan's spell + And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite I saw Satan laughing with delight + The day the music died + in the style of banksy"
"I met a girl who sang the blues + And I asked her for some happy news + But she just smiled and turned away + in the style of banksy"
"I went down to the sacred store + Where I'd heard the music years before + But the man there said the music wouldn't play + in the style of banksy"
"And in the streets, the children screamed + The lovers cried and the poets dreamed + But not a word was spoken The church bells all were broken + in the style of banksy"
"And the three men I admire most The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost +They caught the last train for the coast + The day the music died + in the style of banksy"