1. Don McLean - American Pie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U Written by: Don McLean; released in 1971. Who it's about: Rock legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Jr., among a whole host of others. American Pie is possibly one of the most biographical and symbolic songs ever written. Don McLean's lyrics are rife with cryptic hints and sly references that speak of countless famous events and people. The main inspiration behind McLean's legendary song comes from a fateful day in February of 1959, when a plane carrying rock musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, Jr., crashed in Iowa. This day came to be known as "The Day the Music Died," a phrase which is echoed in McLean's lyrics: "Something touched me deep inside the day the music died." There is also a reference to the day itself with the line "February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver," which McLean has stated refers to his learning of the crash whilst folding newspapers before going out to deliver them. Beyond that, McLean has remained more or less silent about the meaning behind his words, but there are many theories concerning who else is referenced in the hit song. For example, the verse which includes "No angel born in Hell" and "As the flames climbed high into the night" is interpreted to be a reference to a 1969 incident at Altamont Speedway, in which a member of the Hell's Angels, who had been hired as security, stabbed a concert-goer to death following a scuffle. "Helter Skelter in a summer swelter" is believed by some to refer to the Manson family murders of Sharon Tate and several others, which occurred in August. The line "I met a girl who sang the blues and asked her for some happy news" is popularly believed to be about soul singer Janis Joplin, and there are several lyrics which are thought to be about folk legend Bob Dylan, specifically those which refer to "the jester". And that's only the beginning. Do you know of any other songs written about celebrities? Add to the list in the comments!