Peak
12
Weeks
21
Score
2,559
Chart Year
1972
Scores & Rankings
Chart Performance
Peak Position12
Peak DateMay 13, 1972
Weeks at Peak1
Weeks Charted21
Weeks in Top 4012
Weeks in Top 100
Weeks at #20
Weeks at #10
Scoring
Summary Calc809
Weekly Calc1,750
Total Score2,559
Rankings
Year Ranking#61
Decade Ranking#726
Billboard Year#55
Top 5000#5,163
Details
- Album
- Believers
- Label
- Millennium Records
- Genre
- Adult contemporary
- Duration
- 3:40
- Composer(s)
- Don McLean
- Entered Chart
- Apr 22, 1972
- Peak Date
- May 13, 1972
- Released
- October 1981
- Recorded
- Unknown
- Catalog #
- United Artists 50887 B
- B-Side
- Crazy Eyes
Music Video
Notes
"Castles in the Air" is a song by American singer-songwriter Don McLean, which he originally released as his debut single in 1971 and subsequently re-recorded and re-released a decade later. The song describes a man who is unsatisfied with and weary of an urban lifestyle. Although native to the city, he decides to forsake not only his urban 'castle in the air' but also his love interest there. Because of his desire for and love of a country life, he decides to seek romance with a like-minded woman.
And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls Just leave me to despair Hills of forest green where the mountains touch the sky A dream come true, I'll live there 'til I die I'm asking you, to say my last goodbye The love we knew, ain't worth another try Save me from all the trouble and the pain I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again Tell her the reasons why I can't remain Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain Oh, but how can words express the feel of sunlight In the morning in the hills away from city strife I need a country woman for my wife I'm city born but I love the country life For I can not be part of her "Cocktail-Generation Partner's Waltz," Devoid of all romance The music plays and everyone must dance I'm bowing out, I need a second chance Save me from all the trouble and the pain I know I'm weak but I can't face that girl again Tell her the reasons why I can't remain Perhaps she'll understand if you tell it to her plain And if she asks you why you can tell her that I told you That I'm tired of Castles in the Air I've got a dream I want the world to share in castle walls Just leave me to despair
Chart History (21 weeks)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 22, 1972 | 16 | 110 |
| 2 | Apr 29, 1972 | 13 | 113 |
| 3 | May 6, 1972 | 13 | 113 |
| 4 | May 13, 1972 | 12 | 114 |
| 5 | May 20, 1972 | 16 | 110 |
| 6 | May 27, 1972 | 27 | 99 |
| 7 | Jun 3, 1972 | 38 | 88 |
| 1 | Oct 31, 1981 | 88 | 38 |
| 2 | Nov 7, 1981 | 78 | 48 |
| 3 | Nov 14, 1981 | 68 | 58 |
| 4 | Nov 21, 1981 | 58 | 68 |
| 5 | Nov 28, 1981 | 49 | 77 |
| 6 | Dec 5, 1981 | 44 | 82 |
| 7 | Dec 12, 1981 | 40 | 86 |
| 8 | Dec 19, 1981 | 38 | 88 |
| 9 | Dec 26, 1981 | 36 | 90 |
| 10 | Jan 2, 1982 | 36 | 90 |
| 11 | Jan 9, 1982 | 36 | 90 |
| 12 | Jan 16, 1982 | 42 | 84 |
| 13 | Jan 23, 1982 | 55 | 71 |
Weeks 1–20 of 21
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