From the movie, 'The Next Best Thing' (and appearing on its soundtrack album), American Pie is a cover of the famous Don McLean lament to Buddy Holly, and it features the voice of co-star Rupert Everett as backing vocal. Indeed, it was Everett who convinced Madonna to record this track for the film's soundtrack. It is also present on the European version of Madonna's album 'Music'. Songs Album version* Richard 'Humpty' Vission Radio Mix Richard 'Humpty' Vission Visits Madonna American Pie (a Europe bonus track) is, in my humble opinion, many times better than the Don McLean original about the death of Buddy Holly. I apologise to any Americans who passionately believe that this is the greatest song ever, but I just don't see it. I'm afraid it was too long, boring and tuneless for me. In contrast, the version created by Madonna and William Orbit is more lively and involved, and has more of a focus. The only critcisms are that Everett's vocals are not very interesting (but then again, how much of that is due to his status as a film star? If he had been a backup vocalist, would such a fuss have been made over his lack of talent? I think not. But then again, would he have made a backing singer? I think not again. Oh well...) - even Madonna sounds bored at times. Though it is quite a nice song, treated to trademark 'Orbitalisation' (bleeps, bubbles, squeaks and rock guitar), I still feel that American Pie is a little lightweight when compared to Madonna's other songs, despite it being a vast improvement on the original. Having said that, it did make number 1 in many countries, including the UK, the first number 1 there for Madonna since Frozen, and placing her at number 3 in the all-time great acts list, behind The Beatles and Elvis. In Richard 'Humpty' Vission Radio Mix we are on safer ground regarding backing vocals. This is a lively dance version, with some nice synthesiser work, which was played extensively in clubs around the world. The Richard 'Humpty' Vission Visits Madonna version is a more extreme dance version where the only words Madonna says are "the music" over and over again and the beat is more simple and rhythmic, though the swooshing synthesiser work is lush. The overall feel is futuristic and like the background music from some space computer games...like Xenon2. Rating Though it is quite a nice song, I still feel that American Pie is a little tame when compared to Madonna's other songs. However, to paint as a mistake by Madonna is to miss the point. This was a hit around the world. The Richard 'Humpty' Vission remixes are really quite good as well. A creditable 8/10. Buy it at Amazon.com today! © Josh Deb Barman 2000
From the movie, 'The Next Best Thing' (and appearing on its soundtrack album), American Pie is a cover of the famous Don McLean lament to Buddy Holly, and it features the voice of co-star Rupert Everett as backing vocal. Indeed, it was Everett who convinced Madonna to record this track for the film's soundtrack. It is also present on the European version of Madonna's album 'Music'.
Songs
American Pie (a Europe bonus track) is, in my humble opinion, many times better than the Don McLean original about the death of Buddy Holly. I apologise to any Americans who passionately believe that this is the greatest song ever, but I just don't see it. I'm afraid it was too long, boring and tuneless for me. In contrast, the version created by Madonna and William Orbit is more lively and involved, and has more of a focus. The only critcisms are that Everett's vocals are not very interesting (but then again, how much of that is due to his status as a film star? If he had been a backup vocalist, would such a fuss have been made over his lack of talent? I think not. But then again, would he have made a backing singer? I think not again. Oh well...) - even Madonna sounds bored at times. Though it is quite a nice song, treated to trademark 'Orbitalisation' (bleeps, bubbles, squeaks and rock guitar), I still feel that American Pie is a little lightweight when compared to Madonna's other songs, despite it being a vast improvement on the original. Having said that, it did make number 1 in many countries, including the UK, the first number 1 there for Madonna since Frozen, and placing her at number 3 in the all-time great acts list, behind The Beatles and Elvis.
In Richard 'Humpty' Vission Radio Mix we are on safer ground regarding backing vocals. This is a lively dance version, with some nice synthesiser work, which was played extensively in clubs around the world.
The Richard 'Humpty' Vission Visits Madonna version is a more extreme dance version where the only words Madonna says are "the music" over and over again and the beat is more simple and rhythmic, though the swooshing synthesiser work is lush. The overall feel is futuristic and like the background music from some space computer games...like Xenon2.
Though it is quite a nice song, I still feel that American Pie is a little tame when compared to Madonna's other songs. However, to paint as a mistake by Madonna is to miss the point. This was a hit around the world. The Richard 'Humpty' Vission remixes are really quite good as well. A creditable 8/10.
Buy it at Amazon.com today!
