Why Don McLean Says He's Worried for 'Monster Star' Taylor Swift

Mar. 15, 2025

Don McLean; Taylor Swift.Photo:Vivien Killilea/Getty, Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty

Vivien Killilea/Getty, Gareth Cattermole/TAS24/Getty

Don McLeanis worried about “monster star"Taylor Swift.In an interview withThe Standard UKon Sunday, Aug. 18, the “American Pie” singer, 78, opened up about how he’s concerned about how fame could affect the “Fortnight” musician’s mental health.“She is a person who is an example of what talent and really hard work can accomplish,” McLean said when asked about Swift, 34.Don McLean performs in Nashville in May 2022.Jason Kempin/GettyThe “Vincent” performer continued: “A lot of people think show business is just something ‘Oh, you’re so wonderful, you should be a star,' Taylor Swift was a star for 15 years before she became a monster star, the size of the galaxy for God sake.“McLean also noted how much of a hard worker she is.“She’s working all of the time and she does everything that she does better than everybody else, whether it’s a video or a performance or songwriting or records or whatever, she does it all, just way better than everybody else and it’s really interesting because all of those other acts are suddenly old-fashioned,” he said.McLean said he hopes that Swift “stays happy” amid the spotlight, before reflecting on his own experience in the music industry.“Show business and fame – as Elvis said ‘fame and fortune’ – and I’m very fortunate that I’ve had that,” he said. “I know how to do that. I have a lot of interests and they sustain me. I don’t go around thinking, ‘man, why don’t I have this?’ or ‘Why don’t I have that?’ that is the quickest way to be unhappy I can think of.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Taylor Swift performs in Arizona in March 2023.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementSince he launched his career in the late 1960s, McLean has sold over 50 million records.He even connected with Swift back in 2021 when the 14-time Grammy winner pop starsent him a note and flowersafter her 10-minute version of “All Too Well” broke one of his music records for “American Pie (Parts 1 & 2)” as theBillboardHot 100’s longest-length Number One entry.Meanwhile, Swift is currently in the midst of her massiveEras Tourand is set to perform the final show of her London leg on Tuesday, Aug. 20, before taking a short break.The pop megastar will perform the concert’s final leg on Oct. 18 in Miami, Fla.

Don McLeanis worried about “monster star"Taylor Swift.

In an interview withThe Standard UKon Sunday, Aug. 18, the “American Pie” singer, 78, opened up about how he’s concerned about how fame could affect the “Fortnight” musician’s mental health.

“She is a person who is an example of what talent and really hard work can accomplish,” McLean said when asked about Swift, 34.

Don McLean performs in Nashville in May 2022.Jason Kempin/Getty

The “Vincent” performer continued: “A lot of people think show business is just something ‘Oh, you’re so wonderful, you should be a star,' Taylor Swift was a star for 15 years before she became a monster star, the size of the galaxy for God sake.”

McLean also noted how much of a hard worker she is.

“She’s working all of the time and she does everything that she does better than everybody else, whether it’s a video or a performance or songwriting or records or whatever, she does it all, just way better than everybody else and it’s really interesting because all of those other acts are suddenly old-fashioned,” he said.

McLean said he hopes that Swift “stays happy” amid the spotlight, before reflecting on his own experience in the music industry.

“Show business and fame – as Elvis said ‘fame and fortune’ – and I’m very fortunate that I’ve had that,” he said. “I know how to do that. I have a lot of interests and they sustain me. I don’t go around thinking, ‘man, why don’t I have this?’ or ‘Why don’t I have that?’ that is the quickest way to be unhappy I can think of.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Taylor Swift performs in Arizona in March 2023.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Since he launched his career in the late 1960s, McLean has sold over 50 million records.

He even connected with Swift back in 2021 when the 14-time Grammy winner pop starsent him a note and flowersafter her 10-minute version of “All Too Well” broke one of his music records for “American Pie (Parts 1 & 2)” as theBillboardHot 100’s longest-length Number One entry.

Meanwhile, Swift is currently in the midst of her massiveEras Tourand is set to perform the final show of her London leg on Tuesday, Aug. 20, before taking a short break.

The pop megastar will perform the concert’s final leg on Oct. 18 in Miami, Fla.

source: people.com