Paul Simon — Mother And Child Reunion
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Total ratings: 2403
Length: 3:01
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No, I would not give you false hope
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, little darling of mine
I can't for the life of me
Remember a sadder day
I know they say "let it be"
But it just don't work out that way
And the course of a lifetime runs
Over and over again
No, I would not give you false hope (no)
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, little darling of mine
I just can't believe it's so
Though it seems strange to say
I never been laid so low
In such a mysterious way
And the course of a lifetime runs
Over and over again
But I would not give you false hope (no)
On this strange and mournful day
When the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a moment away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a moment away
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, little darling of mine
I can't for the life of me
Remember a sadder day
I know they say "let it be"
But it just don't work out that way
And the course of a lifetime runs
Over and over again
No, I would not give you false hope (no)
On this strange and mournful day
But the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, little darling of mine
I just can't believe it's so
Though it seems strange to say
I never been laid so low
In such a mysterious way
And the course of a lifetime runs
Over and over again
But I would not give you false hope (no)
On this strange and mournful day
When the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a moment away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a motion away
Oh, the mother and child reunion
Is only a moment away
Comments (92)add comment
I chose not to rate this former-favorite song. It's a fantastic cut, no doubt. But with all the shade cast upon Mr Simon in the past few years in re musical-third-world exploitation, it's hard to give it the 9+ it deserves.
Iconic!
holborne wrote:
People seem to have forgotten all about Paul Simon's first solo, self-titled, album, except for a couple of songs, like this one and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." It's a brilliant piece of work.
eyke wrote:
Saw the album cover and thought what I thought a year ago.
People seem to have forgotten all about Paul Simon's first solo, self-titled, album, except for a couple of songs, like this one and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." It's a brilliant piece of work.
eyke wrote:
I'll have to dust off my LP and drop the needle...again for the first time....thanks for reminder.
Saw the album cover and thought what I thought a year ago.
jameshay wrote:
Maybe it depends on your mood etc. When it was released and for a good few years after, I disliked it. Now I love it.
ditto
Maybe it depends on your mood etc. When it was released and for a good few years after, I disliked it. Now I love it.
ditto
Maybe it's buried somewhere way farther back in the comments, but for those who don't know, the story to this song is that Paul Simon was in a restaurant, on the road somewhere, and on the menu was a dish called "Mother and Child Reunion" -- and it was chicken and eggs! Listen to the song with that knowledge in your head, and it's hysterically funny.
7th grade typing class- learning how to QWERTY.......what a great song from an innocent time.....
holborne wrote:
I'll have to dust off my LP and drop the needle...again for the first time....thanks for reminder.
People seem to have forgotten all about Paul Simon's first solo, self-titled, album, except for a couple of songs, like this one and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." It's a brilliant piece of work.
Thanks RP.
"only a motion away" is an unfortunate phrase that conjures up a medical term.
When you realise what that is, you might never hear this song in the same way again...
When you realise what that is, you might never hear this song in the same way again...
baylees wrote:
You must be great at dinner parties
He dumped Garfunkel. Did the Africa as a stunt.
meh
cant put the 60s back in a bottle
meh
cant put the 60s back in a bottle
You must be great at dinner parties
dragon1952 wrote:
What are you? An android?
What is so great about this song? Please help me understand. At best it sounds like early 70's top 40 drivel. And it has like...what...2 lines to it at most?
What are you? An android?
you are born with a gift of hearing, yet some do not use the gift, they listen yet do not hear, the words the lyrics the tune the notes are all entwined into a song which can only be heard when listened to with an open mind
Wow, surprised at the amount of negativity here. This is a nice little tune that I've always liked. Rating suggests I'm not alone.
dragon1952 wrote:
Maybe it depends on your mood etc. When it was released and for a good few years after, I disliked it. Now I love it.
What is so great about this song? Please help me understand. At best it sounds like early 70's top 40 drivel. And it has like...what...2 lines to it at most?
Maybe it depends on your mood etc. When it was released and for a good few years after, I disliked it. Now I love it.
He dumped Garfunkel. Did the Africa as a stunt.
meh
cant put the 60s back in a bottle
meh
cant put the 60s back in a bottle
RabbitEars wrote:
I've been playing a couple of Simon's songs on guitar lately and realizing for the first time how little sense they often make.
But fantastic reggae beat, right? Kind of pushing the envelope for a white boy from NYC in 1972, I am thinking.
I've been playing a couple of Simon's songs on guitar lately and realizing for the first time how little sense they often make.
But fantastic reggae beat, right? Kind of pushing the envelope for a white boy from NYC in 1972, I am thinking.
I had the 45 record!
He and Garfunkel are up there with the Fab Four for most played acts in history. Their retirement to other pastures is a welcome relief.
No rating. It could be good, but over-played.
No rating. It could be good, but over-played.
mattenuttall wrote:
I've been playing a couple of Simon's songs on guitar lately and realizing for the first time how little sense they often make.
Chicken and egg chow mein immortalized in song.....
I've been playing a couple of Simon's songs on guitar lately and realizing for the first time how little sense they often make.
Chicken and egg chow mein immortalized in song.....
dragon1952 wrote:
that it was the first reggae record in the American Top 40 is notable, at least.
What is so great about this song? Please help me understand. At best it sounds like early 70's top 40 drivel. And it has like...what...2 lines to it at most?
that it was the first reggae record in the American Top 40 is notable, at least.
I had the 45 record!
dragon1952 wrote:
I can't make you hear what I hear. If you don't get it, move on.
What is so great about this song? Please help me understand. At best it sounds like early 70's top 40 drivel. And it has like...what...2 lines to it at most?
I can't make you hear what I hear. If you don't get it, move on.
healex wrote:
Other than the new music/bands, etc., that BnR turn me on to, this is my favorite aspect of RP; folks from around the globe happily enjoying the same tunes I do - hope your 2018 has been great, healex!! Long Live RP!!
Hi Ho Rebecca and Bill,
hi all you listeners worldwide,looking forward to a new year with you all having fun togehter on RADIO PARADISE.
Greetings from germany
hi all you listeners worldwide,looking forward to a new year with you all having fun togehter on RADIO PARADISE.
Greetings from germany
Other than the new music/bands, etc., that BnR turn me on to, this is my favorite aspect of RP; folks from around the globe happily enjoying the same tunes I do - hope your 2018 has been great, healex!! Long Live RP!!
Hi Ho Rebecca and Bill,
hi all you listeners worldwide,looking forward to a new year with you all having fun togehter on RADIO PARADISE.
Greetings from germany
hi all you listeners worldwide,looking forward to a new year with you all having fun togehter on RADIO PARADISE.
Greetings from germany
When it come to Paul there will be those purists who sniff about cultural appropriation. He's an artist! Creativity is knowing what to steal. Every English band in love with Delta Blues oughta know. Hear a sound or a language, recognize what's universal about it, bring it into your heart and learn to sing it. Why not?
great song by an amazing songwriter
makes me glad I got ears
makes me glad I got ears
What is so great about this song? Please help me understand. At best it sounds like early 70's top 40 drivel. And it has like...what...2 lines to it at most?
How many times have I heard:
"All Reggae sounds the same"
"I hate reggae covers of classic rock songs"
I'm going to have to start pointing to this song as evidence that "classic rock" also drew some inspiration from reggae (this sounds a lot like "The Harder they Come")
"All Reggae sounds the same"
"I hate reggae covers of classic rock songs"
I'm going to have to start pointing to this song as evidence that "classic rock" also drew some inspiration from reggae (this sounds a lot like "The Harder they Come")
I love those women's voices:
"I would not give you false hope (NO!)"
"I would not give you false hope (NO!)"
curtsusu wrote:
That breaks my heart....
I had a Greyhound too that meant sooo very much to me also...
GT66 wrote:
GT66 wrote:
In light of the fact that this is about a dog of his that died, the lyrics have become more poignant. I had to put my first greyhound down due to bone cancer and it was very emotionally draining. I have another greyhound now that has been with me for six years and is starting to get up there in years. I dread the day that's inevitably coming and sometimes I wonder if I will be able to handle it. You get so attached to "man's best friend" it gets harder and harder to discern them as just a pet.n Here's my dog Tiger:
That breaks my heart....
Decent stab at early 70's reggae...before I had ever even heard of the word "reggae". Still holds up.
same 4 in same order. naughty rp !
lemmoth wrote:
lemmoth wrote:
Whenever I start worrying that RP is getting a little repetitive during my 5 or 6 hours of daily listening, they break out a unique block like this that I haven't heard on RP - and wont hear the grouping anywhere else.
Iron & Wine — Glad Man Singing
Iron & Wine — Glad Man Singing
Ugh. I don't care what it's about, it's simply the song that is most likely to get me to switch feeds.
I grew up on S&G, loved There goes rhymin simon... can't explain, but this one just reminds me of his later drek.
I grew up on S&G, loved There goes rhymin simon... can't explain, but this one just reminds me of his later drek.
I had a Greyhound too that meant sooo very much to me also...
GT66 wrote:
GT66 wrote:
In light of the fact that this is about a dog of his that died, the lyrics have become more poignant. I had to put my first greyhound down due to bone cancer and it was very emotionally draining. I have another greyhound now that has been with me for six years and is starting to get up there in years. I dread the day that's inevitably coming and sometimes I wonder if I will be able to handle it. You get so attached to "man's best friend" it gets harder and harder to discern them as just a pet.n Here's my dog Tiger:
Whenever I start worrying that RP is getting a little repetitive during my 5 or 6 hours of daily listening, they break out a unique block like this that I haven't heard on RP - and wont hear the grouping anywhere else.
Iron & Wine — Glad Man Singing
Iron & Wine — Glad Man Singing
This is the ringtone for my daughter.
...And that's probably worst one from probably greatest of Simon's solo albums! ;-)
one of those songs that just brings me right back to a time and place....a 10!
Thanks for the comments about the inspiration for this song. How long have I wondered what this song is about, and have felt like a real loon for chipperly singing along. "Who's the Mother? The Child? Is it about Jesus & Mary, reunited in heaven? Written for a movie, the meaning rising from the plot? What? What? "
And here it is, a song about a late dog. 
I forget how much I love this song. Thanks RP
Great Song!
My understanding is that Paul Simon saw the movie "The Harder They Come" with Jimmy Cliff, was totally blown away by the music in the movie, and went down to Jamaica to record this song and others with the same band that was backing Jimmy Cliff in the recording studio in the movie.
toterola wrote:
As a fellow dog-lover, I feel you. I tell my sweetie (who can only be described as a "dog fanatic") that the trade off for having a fellow being who thinks that you are the greatest thing in the world is that their span is so much shorter than ours. Never fear, though.
That kind of selfless devotion and unconditional love is no doubt rewarded. And kindred spirits are always reunited. That's my simplistic view of things, anyway. Namaste.
Yeah Dogs are cool. They are very attuned to alot of things,in many ways more advanced thamn Humans! ...and God well Dog spelt backwards
As a fellow dog-lover, I feel you. I tell my sweetie (who can only be described as a "dog fanatic") that the trade off for having a fellow being who thinks that you are the greatest thing in the world is that their span is so much shorter than ours. Never fear, though.
That kind of selfless devotion and unconditional love is no doubt rewarded. And kindred spirits are always reunited. That's my simplistic view of things, anyway. Namaste.
Yeah Dogs are cool. They are very attuned to alot of things,in many ways more advanced thamn Humans! ...and God well Dog spelt backwards
GT66 wrote:
As a fellow dog-lover, I feel you. I tell my sweetie (who can only be described as a "dog fanatic") that the trade off for having a fellow being who thinks that you are the greatest thing in the world is that their span is so much shorter than ours. Never fear, though.
That kind of selfless devotion and unconditional love is no doubt rewarded. And kindred spirits are always reunited. That's my simplistic view of things, anyway. Namaste.
In light of the fact that this is about a dog of his that died, the lyrics have become more poignant. I had to put my first greyhound down due to bone cancer and it was very emotionally draining. I have another greyhound now that has been with me for six years and is starting to get up there in years. I dread the day that's inevitably coming and sometimes I wonder if I will be able to handle it. You get so attached to "man's best friend" it gets harder and harder to discern them as just a pet.n Here's my dog Tiger:
As a fellow dog-lover, I feel you. I tell my sweetie (who can only be described as a "dog fanatic") that the trade off for having a fellow being who thinks that you are the greatest thing in the world is that their span is so much shorter than ours. Never fear, though.
That kind of selfless devotion and unconditional love is no doubt rewarded. And kindred spirits are always reunited. That's my simplistic view of things, anyway. Namaste.
In light of the fact that this is about a dog of his that died, the lyrics have become more poignant. I had to put my first greyhound down due to bone cancer and it was very emotionally draining. I have another greyhound now that has been with me for six years and is starting to get up there in years. I dread the day that's inevitably coming and sometimes I wonder if I will be able to handle it. You get so attached to "man's best friend" it gets harder and harder to discern them as just a pet.n Here's my dog Tiger:
TanteJensen wrote:
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it. 9
Pop pap.
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it. 9
Pop pap.
Please, lets not get maudlin over this. A nice song by a nice guy, but Reggae? Hardly.
TanteJensen wrote:
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it.
His dog died, so it is special. Read the lyrics....
Wikisays:
The song was one of the earliest by a white musician to feature prominent elements of reggae. The title of the song has its origin in a chicken-and-egg dish called "Mother and Child Reunion" that Paul Simon saw on a Chinese restaurant's menu.<1> But the song was written for a dog of Simon's that was run over and killed.<2>
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it.
Wikisays:
The song was one of the earliest by a white musician to feature prominent elements of reggae. The title of the song has its origin in a chicken-and-egg dish called "Mother and Child Reunion" that Paul Simon saw on a Chinese restaurant's menu.<1> But the song was written for a dog of Simon's that was run over and killed.<2>
squidish wrote:
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it. 9
What is this song about??
Nothing in special. His dog died a short while before, and it's inspired by a chinese restaurant's dish of the same name (chicken with egg), as others have said before. Me & Julio ... is another song without any real meaning. We'll have to deal with it. 9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_And_Child_Reunion
squidish wrote:
squidish wrote:
What is this song about??
What is this song about??
man does this ever bring back childhood memories - i think this was a hit when I was 10 or 11 years old - loved it then and i still love it today!
aharamanx wrote:
Paul Simon is truly a major thread in the tapestry that is a lot of people's lives - all over the world. His work is timeless.
Well put.
One of the greatest lyric writers (not necessarily highlighted inthis song) reminds me of what we used to listen to when i was a child, love it, love it, love it.
apd wrote:
I heard that this was his first solo single - if that's the case, that's quite a ballsy move, considering that it must have been the first time mainstream radio listeners would have heard reggae. (Though I still wish he had stuck to his original plan and recorded it as a ska track).
"My Boy Lollipop"- 1965 by Millie Small (I think that was the year?!?!!)
This song is making me dance! 
apd wrote:
I heard that this was his first solo single - if that's the case, that's quite a ballsy move, considering that it must have been the first time mainstream radio listeners would have heard reggae. (Though I still wish he had stuck to his original plan and recorded it as a ska track).
Wow. I'd like to hear what the ska version would have sounded like.
Thinking back, this actually was pretty innovative given what his peers were doing at the time. And it probably was the first time I heard "reggae" which is kind of a horrifying thought!
Dang! Two faux reggae songs in a row that work!
cgrow wrote:
When I have to get out of the bathtub to change the music, it's bad. I can not get past the whiny vocals. Sucko barfo, sorry.
There's a visual we can all live without!
One of those strange occasions where I loathe the artist but not the song. 
I agree. This song is indeed BAD. It is also PHAT, SICK, and just plain DA BOMB. At least that is the only rational conclusion to your comments.
Paul Simon may like to mine diverse musical veins, but no one can say he doesn't do so brilliantly.
I suspect this set may be Bill's statement on the depth of ska's and reggae's influence on the modern musical world. THANK YOU, JAMAICA
kerouvian wrote:
To me it just sounds bad, a bad mixture between bad pop and badly understood ethnic music. Cannot help it.
ploafmaster wrote:
Oh how I love this song.
Sounds so dolorous, yet so hopeful. So good!
To me it just sounds bad, a bad mixture between bad pop and badly understood ethnic music. Cannot help it.
Oh how I love this song.
Sounds so dolorous, yet so hopeful. So good!
At the time, a preview of what was to come with the masterful Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.
upinya wrote:
Armistice Day, Run That Body Down and Peace Like a River.
:)
Bought the reissues/remasters of this CD (the first solo CD) last year. Excellent (as is "There Goes Rhym'n Simon" and "Still Crazy After All These Years."
When I have to get out of the bathtub to change the music, it's bad. I can not get past the whiny vocals. Sucko barfo, sorry.
Omega wrote:
More Paul Simon, esp. from his first solo album.
Armistice Day, Run That Body Down and Peace Like a River.
:)
I heard that this was his first solo single - if that's the case, that's quite a ballsy move, considering that it must have been the first time mainstream radio listeners would have heard reggae. (Though I still wish he had stuck to his original plan and recorded it as a ska track).
yummy!
Dave_Mack wrote:
Paul Simon is really one of the most talented guys out there. Pretty funny in Annie Hall, too. I don't remember where I read it, but apparently "Mother and Child Reunion" was inspired by a dish (of the same name) Paul saw on a menu in a Chinese restaurant. The dish featured both chicken and an egg. Bleah.
Bleah, indeed. Simon is a brilliant guy and he was very funny in Annie Hall. This song, on the other hand, drove me nuts when it was top 40 and still does today. Bleah.
I guess he got the title from the name of a "chicken and egg" entre on a chinese menu.
oldslabsides wrote:
simon & garfunkel i liked....simon alone is, well, occasionally entertaining, but this isn't one of those occasions....bleh
It's very hard to compare the two. SImon and Garfunkel had a sound - completely unique and special. While each song differered from the one before it, there was still that binding sound. When Paul when out on his own, he experimented all over the place. "Graceland" is an album with chiefly African influences. "Rhythm of the Saints" is one with latin influences. Each and every Paul Simon song is different, with the only thing tying them together being Paul himself.
He's a very, very talented singer-songwriter, but he always kept changing his style.
8)
Bit of a classic this one.
oldslabsides wrote:
simon & garfunkel i liked....simon alone is, well, occasionally entertaining, but this isn't one of those occasions....bleh
I agree wholeheartedly...blah.
simon & garfunkel i liked....simon alone is, well, occasionally entertaining, but this isn't one of those occasions....bleh
Such self-assured songcraft. Timeless genius.
Nothing like a happy, bouncy song about someone's daughter dying.
nice transition from bob marley, bill. this has a nice reggae beat
I like. Someone should upload "St. Judy's Comet", another PS track I rarely hear but enjoy- as of today I don't see it in the archives anywhere.
b-yoo-tiful song :) :D 
Great music! Now...can you do some inspiring segues?! 
The finest American singer-songwriter of the 20th century. Almost everything he does is wonderful.
People seem to have forgotten all about Paul Simon\'s first solo, self-titled, album, except for a couple of songs, like this one and \"Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.\" It\'s a brilliant piece of work.
just what i needed working late tonight -- thank you!! 
:)
:) More Paul Simon, esp. from his first solo album.
Paul Simon is really one of the most talented guys out there. Pretty funny in Annie Hall, too. I don\'t remember where I read it, but apparently \"Mother and Child Reunion\" was inspired by a dish (of the same name) Paul saw on a menu in a Chinese restaurant. The dish featured both chicken and an egg. Bleah.
There is an inkling of ska beat, but a full blown ska version would have been great fun.