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\n\tDon McLean<\/a> is a Swiftie. <\/p>\n \n\tThe iconic singer-songwriter behind \u201cAmerican Pie\u201d and \u201cVincent\u201d recently spoke about Taylor Swift\u2019s<\/a> extraordinary success in an interview with The Standard<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n \n\tMcLean, whose song \u201cAmerican Pie (Parts I & II)\u201d topped the Billboard Hot 100<\/a> for four weeks in 1972, is impressed by Swift\u2019s evolution from a rising country artist to a global powerhouse.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cShe is a person who is an example of what talent and really hard work can accomplish,\u201d McLean said, describing Swift as a \u201cmonster star, the size of the galaxy.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tMcLean continued, \u201cShe\u2019s working all of the time, and she does everything that she does better than everybody else, whether it\u2019s a video or a performance or songwriting or records or whatever\u2026 The only thing is that she stays happy.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tReflecting on his own career, McLean shared, \u201cI have a lot of interests, and they sustain me. I don\u2019t go around thinking \u2018Man, why don\u2019t I have this?\u2019 or \u2018Why don\u2019t I have that?\u2019 \u2013 that is the quickest way to be unhappy I can think of.\u201d <\/p>\n \n\tMcLean, who has sold over 50 million records worldwide, has been honored with numerous awards, including a Grammy Hall of Fame induction for \u201cAmerican Pie.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tBack in 2021, Swift sent McLean a note<\/a> and a bouquet of flowers after her 10-minute version of \u201cAll Too Well\u201d surpassed his song \u201cAmerican Pie (Parts I & II)\u201d as the longest song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhat a classy artist!\u201d McLean tweeted at the time, sharing Swift\u2019s handwritten inscription that reads, \u201cDon, I will never forget that I\u2019m standing on the shoulders of giants. Your music has been so important to me. Sending love one writer of LONG SONGS to another. Your fan, Taylor.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tIn the most recent interview, McLean also addressed the challenges Swift has faced in the music industry, particularly regarding the ownership of her early albums. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe record companies are the biggest thieves on the planet. That was their business, stealing. You have to be very careful,\u201d he said, referencing Swift\u2019s legal battles to regain control of her discography<\/a> from Scooter Braun, which led to her re-recording her first six studio albums.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n