Hi! So, I'm learning about Iambic Pentameter in class and i'm very confused. I'm supposed to pick a song and figure out the pentameter. However, I'm not sure if the song I chose, American Pie by Don Mclean, even has one. Like when I look at the first line..."A long long time ago," I think it uses a imabic, I say it aloud and the first letters seem to be stressed....or is something else? I'm very confused right now.

Answer 1

I agree that it's iambic, but it is not pentameter, which consists of five stressed syllables.

http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-iambic-pentameter.html

Answer 2

No, that song is not in iambic pentameter. Sorry!

Read this about iambic pentameter. [The term means five (pent-) iambs (2-syllables that sound like da-DA) in each line. That makes each line need to have 10 syllables.]
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-iambic-pentameter.html

Answer 3

GMTA, Ms. Sue!!