The iconic 75 year-old singer Don McLean, who is known for hits like “American Pie,” has spent the past five years dating someone nearly half a century younger than him, 27 year-old model Paris Dylan. In a new interview, McLean got candid about what their relationship is really like, and it seems to be going better than ever.

“She is the most wonderful person that I have ever known,” McLean told People Magazine of Dylan, who initially rose to fame on the MTV reality television show “Catfish.” “I think of her when I sing a lot of my songs. But I especially think of her when I sing that song.”

McLean has been married twice before, getting divorce once in 1972 and then again in 2016, when he split with second wife Patrisha Shnier amidst domestic violence allegations.

“Love is the most important thing you can have,” McLean explained. “You have to love somebody. Hate is such a burden. It’s a complete waste of time. I love my children and I love my girlfriend. I’m crazy for her.”

 

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Though McLean is loving life these days, things were not always easy for him.

“Watching my dad die right in front of me at the age of 15 definitely shook my world up,” he confessed. “It was that moment that I realized we are all very momentary. No matter how you want to cling onto tomorrow, we are all just standing on a trap door. It’s a miracle I didn’t go crazy.”

If there’s one thing McLean has learned in his 75 years, it’s to always cling to love as a way to get through the dark times.

“You have to be in love with something,” he said. “When I have had bad times in my life, I always loved my guitar. And now, I have Paris.”

McLean made it clear that he plans to keep Dylan with him for many years to come.

“I’m honored to have her as a girlfriend and a partner and we have no plans to ever break up,” he said. “We are going to stay together and ride this pony as long as we can.”