After Taylor Swift's new version of "All Too Well" broke the record for the longest track to top the Billboard Hot 100, she sent a gift to the artist who'd held the record for the past 50 years: singer/songwriter Don McLean.
McLean, whose 1971 hit "American Pie" ran 8 minutes and 36 seconds, was bested by Swift, with "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)" clocking in at 10:13.
McLean tweeted a photo of the flowers and letter that Swift sent him, and commented, "What a classy artist! Thank you @taylorswift13 for the flowers & note!"
What a classy artist! Thank you @taylorswift13 for the flowers & note! pic.twitter.com/A0WRxaVEgE
— Don McLean (@donmclean) December 1, 2021
In her letter, Swift wrote, "Don, I will never forget that I'm standing on the shoulders of giants. Your music has been so important to me. Sending love [from] one writer of LONG SONGS to another. Your fan, Taylor."
McLean, 76, said in a statement to ABC Audio last month, "'American Pie' remained on top for 50 years and now Taylor Swift has unseated such a historic piece of artistry. Let's face it, nobody ever wants to lose that #1 spot, but if I had to lose it to somebody, I sure am glad it was another great singer/songwriter such as Taylor."
Swift's 10-minute-plus recording of "All Too Well" is featured as a bonus track on "Red (Taylor's Version)," which she released on Nov. 12.
