Pi Day: Seven Songs About Pi(e)

Happy Pi Day! The one day in the year that corresponds with the first three digits of pi (𝝅), many high school math and science classes tend to celebrate with pizza parties and the like. But you don’t have to be in school to celebrate Pi Day. You can have your own celebration by listening to songs written about pi(e)!

Okay, so there aren’t really any serious songs about pi. Heck, there aren’t that many serious songs about the food either. However, there are many artists who use “pie” in their songs to refer to something else. Some artists, like Warrant, Led Zeppelin and Motley Crue, have used it to describe sex. Don McLean used it as a reference to Americana. Still others, like The Beatles and James Taylor, use it as a term of endearment to express their feelings for someone.

Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is celebrating Pi Day by taking a look at songs that use pie in its various meanings. Here are seven sexy and sincere songs that make reference to the sweet treat.

1.       Warrant, “Cherry Pie”: Hair metal band Warrant had a handful of hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but their most recognized song by far is “Cherry Pie.” The song’s lyrics mainly focus on singer Jani Lane having sex with his girlfriend, but whether he is calling his girl as hot and sweet as the dessert or using the treat to talk about her private parts remains unknown. (video)

2.       Don McLean, “American Pie”: “American Pie” is obviously not about pie, but more of a take on the saying “American as apple pie.” The song was written about the “day the music died,” the fateful day Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the “Big Bopper” were involved in a tragic plane crash. These artists were supposed to be the future of American rock ‘n’ roll, but were cut down before they could be big. (video)

3.       Led Zeppelin, “Custard Pie”: The opening track to Led Zeppelin’s ‘Physical Grafiti,’ “Custard Pie” is another song filled with sexual innuendo. Here, the pie is definitely a stand-in for the woman’s private parts, calling it “sweet and nice” and telling her to “same me a slice.”Even so, the song has been deemed by many critics as one of the band’s best songs. (video)

4.       The Beatles, “Honey Pie” and “Wild Honey Pie”: The Beatles included two songs referencing “pie” on their double album ‘The Beatles (The White Album).’ “Honey Pie” tells the story of a man who wants his actress girlfriend (referred to as “Honey Pie”), who moves to the United States and makes it big, to come home to England. “Wild Honey Pie” reprises the theme of the first song. (“Honey Pie” video) (“Wild Honey Pie” video)

5.       Mötley Crüe, “Slice of Your Pie”: The third track from Mötley Crüe’s ‘Dr. Feelgood,’ “Slice of Your Pie” makes yet another thinly veiled reference to sex. Here, singer Vince Neil begs a young girl (“so young ever get caught they’ll arrest me”) to “order me up another slice of your pie,” calling her “sweet” and “pretty” and telling her he has something “sticky sweet” for her. Eww! (video)

6.       James Taylor, “Sweet Potato Pie”: A beautiful tribute to the woman he loves, James Taylor’s “Sweet Potato Pie” tells of a man who is so happy that he finally has the girl he has loved since childhood. The song goes into extreme depth to tell the listener why he loves his girl, practically proclaiming his love from the rooftops. (video)

7.       The Four Tops, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”: A classic Motown love song, The Four Tops went to number one in 1965 with their upbeat love song “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch).” The song bursts with love and joy, exclaiming “Sugar pie honey bunch / you know that I love you / I can’t help myself / I love you and nobody else.” (video)

Whether meant to reference sex or used as a cute term of endearment, there are a lot of songs about pie. Kick off your Pi Day celebration by checking out the tracks above, then let us know what pi songs you love.

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Find music from these and other pie-obsessed artists at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s favorite new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in an array of genres that would fit anyone’s tastes. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.