American Pie or Bohemian Rhapsody?

[Something Awesome]

Don McLean's American Pie is a true classic, and is sometimes considered one of the greatest songs of the twentieth century. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody happens to share quite a few qualities with American Pie, and played a major role in shaping rock and roll music.

Both songs are longer than a standard song, and there were concerns about being played on the radio with each. Both have vague lyrics and have been subject to a lot of speculation as to their interpretations.

My question isn't which song is better, but which one is a bigger song (and I don't mean length)? Which one is more epic and grandiose? If you were to pick one of these as the shining example of what all music should strive to accomplish, which one would you choose?

I'm torn between the two. American Pie may have more historical significance, but Bohemian Rhapsody tells a tale that might not really make much sense, but it speaks to me on a personal level. Then again, so does American Pie...

[B4UTRUST]

You're trying to compare to great songs by two different people from two seperate times. Both are great songs. Both have withstood the test of time and are quite memorable to just about anyone. Both have been parodied numerous times, used in numerous shows and movies, covers done, etc. Both have, as you said, helped define some music. But both are great songs on their own merits and neither could honestly be said to be "better" or "bigger" or "greater" then the other. It would be like comparing the Mona Lisa and the Cistine Chapel. Both are masterpieces, great influencial works of art by two great artists. You can't easily say one is better for the other though.

But that's just my opinion.

[LadyTevar]

Of the two, I prefer to hear "Boheman Rhapsody" played on the radio. "American Pie" just doesn't move me like Queen does.

[Shark Bait]

American pie, I've caught hell for this before but Boheman Rhapsody just does not cut it. not only that i think the overall musical work in american pie is better than Bohemian rhapsody.

[Narsil]

Bohemian Rhapsody. Though I like both. I just happen to prefer the band, they've made a lot of songs which are on my 'favourites of all time' list.

[The Cleric]

FREEEEEEEEEEE BIRDDDDDDDDDD!

[Masterharper]

Lets get this out of the way: I approve of incredibly long guitar solos. \m/

Alright, this may sound a little off, BUT I choose Bohemian Rhapsody.
Having said that: I believe that Don McLean is a better artist. While he doesn't get the same publicity as Queen--correct me if I'm wrong, but he sort of backed off of making music for a while after he had that his. He didn't like the fame so much, if I recall correctly. McLean has a LOT of songs that I like better than Bohemian Rhapsody, American Pie just isn't one of them.

IMHO if the young aspiring artists of today are going to be influenced by either Queen or McLean I'd choose the latter for them. My reasoning lies behind hollywood rocker lifestyle and MTV having done a great deal of damage to the quality of the consumable music industry in of itself.

All opinions, of course.

[Josh]

American Pie. It speaks to me for more than Rhapsody, which I always felt to be whiny. I vastly prefer Weird Al's Bohemian Polka.

[vampykat]

Wow, tough choice. I enjoy both of them and sing them both loudly in the car when I get a chance. They both bring different emotions out when heard and I have to be in a certain mood to enjoy either of them.

However, if I had to make the choice right now which I would prefer to hear, I would always choose Queen, there is just something about their music that makes me "feel"

[Pure Sabacc]

I prefer American Pie, although probably only because I've heard Bohemian Rapsody a great deal, and it does become grating after too many playings. Nevertheless, both are great songs, perhaps the best and most majestic of their respective artists.