Snuffy- Thanks so much for bringing this thread back up to the top. It is fascinating, and I had not read it before. I probably wouldn't have gone searching for it, either. As far as covers of the song go, the best I've heard was by Garth Brooks, (solo), which was on TV a while back. Now modern Country/Western music is not my cup of tea. On the threat of death, I would be unable to name a single Garth Brooks hit. But I must admit, I loved his cover of American Pie. He put on an enthusiastic, soulful performance, much in keeping with Don M's original. I've never researched Brooks, but my more knowledgable friends tell me that his origins were really in folk music, and went Country to put food on the table. Market forces and all that. It's easy to believe, after watching him perform American Pie solo on guitar! I haven't heard the Madonna cover, and the thought makes me cringe. But previously if you'd asked if I would like a Garth Brooks cover of the song, I probably would have cringed also. I'm glad this thread resurfaced. BlueJay