Paul Simon — Graceland
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Length: 4:44
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The Mississippi Delta
Was shining like a National guitar
I am following the river, down the highway
Through the cradle of the Civil War
I'm going to Graceland, Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
And my traveling companion is nine years old
He is the child of my first marriage
But I've reason to believe
We both will be received
In Graceland
She comes back to tell me she's gone
As if I didn't know that
As if I didn't know my own bed
As if I'd never noticed
The way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow
I'm going to Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
And my traveling companions
Are ghosts and empty sockets
I'm looking at ghosts and empties
But I've reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
There is a girl in New York City
Who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when I'm falling, flying
Or tumbling in turmoil I say
Whoa, so this is what she means
She means we're bouncing into Graceland
And I see losing love
Is like a window into your heart
And everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow
In Graceland, in Graceland
I'm going to Graceland
For reasons I cannot explain
There's some part of me wants to see Graceland
And I may be obliged to defend
Every love, every ending
Or maybe there's no obligations now
Maybe I've a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, in Graceland, Graceland, Graceland
I'm going to Graceland
Was shining like a National guitar
I am following the river, down the highway
Through the cradle of the Civil War
I'm going to Graceland, Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
And my traveling companion is nine years old
He is the child of my first marriage
But I've reason to believe
We both will be received
In Graceland
She comes back to tell me she's gone
As if I didn't know that
As if I didn't know my own bed
As if I'd never noticed
The way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow
I'm going to Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
And my traveling companions
Are ghosts and empty sockets
I'm looking at ghosts and empties
But I've reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
There is a girl in New York City
Who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when I'm falling, flying
Or tumbling in turmoil I say
Whoa, so this is what she means
She means we're bouncing into Graceland
And I see losing love
Is like a window into your heart
And everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow
In Graceland, in Graceland
I'm going to Graceland
For reasons I cannot explain
There's some part of me wants to see Graceland
And I may be obliged to defend
Every love, every ending
Or maybe there's no obligations now
Maybe I've a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, in Graceland, Graceland, Graceland
I'm going to Graceland
Comments (170)add comment
What Paul should have done:
Keep going south of Memphis deeper into the delta...down to Vicksburg, MS.
Now...that's a strange town, located on the Mississippi River. Home to a consequential civil war battle.
Keep going south of Memphis deeper into the delta...down to Vicksburg, MS.
Now...that's a strange town, located on the Mississippi River. Home to a consequential civil war battle.
itsme_bygolly wrote:
I've always had a problem with the concept of cultural appropriation from an artistic perspective. Artists inspire each other. If you were in a foreign country and encountered a meal you've never had before - It's one of the best you ever encountered.
You are a pretty good cook yourself and believe you can recreate the dish from the ingredients you tasted from the recipe. If you create a meal similar at home in your own kitchen, is that cultural appropriation? It's how the artistic process works and this is part of a conversation has been going on between artists from the time hand prints were discovered in caves in Altamira.
Cultural appropriation is understood in the context of capitalism such as when Disney straight up stole the work of a popular African artist rather than pay the artist with their production of Black Panther.
The current model of broker/artist relationship is threatened by the arrival of Non Fungible Tokens, and the innovation of Smart Contracts. Will this new democratized delivery of art impact the sensibilities of artists? We'll see.
I think of artists such as Gypsy Baby on OpenSea platform who attempts to integrate folk art and conceptual art in digital era are representative of this shift to a more personal audience. This artist is a marginalized member of a community which exists in a society designed to to exclude. Never get exposure under the current broker/artist model.
But cultural appropriation? Without at least attribution? The difference between a student and a fraud.
Thanks to this album, a Lot of previously unrecognized local local musicians got world wide attention & recognition! ...Cultural appropriation BE DAMNED!!
I've always had a problem with the concept of cultural appropriation from an artistic perspective. Artists inspire each other. If you were in a foreign country and encountered a meal you've never had before - It's one of the best you ever encountered.
You are a pretty good cook yourself and believe you can recreate the dish from the ingredients you tasted from the recipe. If you create a meal similar at home in your own kitchen, is that cultural appropriation? It's how the artistic process works and this is part of a conversation has been going on between artists from the time hand prints were discovered in caves in Altamira.
Cultural appropriation is understood in the context of capitalism such as when Disney straight up stole the work of a popular African artist rather than pay the artist with their production of Black Panther.
The current model of broker/artist relationship is threatened by the arrival of Non Fungible Tokens, and the innovation of Smart Contracts. Will this new democratized delivery of art impact the sensibilities of artists? We'll see.
I think of artists such as Gypsy Baby on OpenSea platform who attempts to integrate folk art and conceptual art in digital era are representative of this shift to a more personal audience. This artist is a marginalized member of a community which exists in a society designed to to exclude. Never get exposure under the current broker/artist model.
But cultural appropriation? Without at least attribution? The difference between a student and a fraud.
Thanks to this album, a Lot of previously unrecognized local local musicians got world wide attention & recognition! ...Cultural appropriation BE DAMNED!!
virwill7 wrote:
YouTube Graceland by Justin Townes Earl. It will change your life.
This is a brilliant LP but RP overplays the hell out of it.
YouTube Graceland by Justin Townes Earl. It will change your life.
This is a brilliant LP but RP overplays the hell out of it.
GREAT TUNE!! To hell with all of the cultural appropriation B.S.!! Thanx RP! 
"The Mississippi Delta
Was shining like a National guitar"
I absolutely love the double meaning visual of those opening lines....
Was shining like a National guitar"
I absolutely love the double meaning visual of those opening lines....
Edweirdo wrote:
I've always had a problem with the concept of cultural appropriation from an artistic perspective. Artists inspire each other. If you were in a foreign country and encountered a meal you've never had before - It's one of the best you ever encountered.
You are a pretty good cook yourself and believe you can recreate the dish from the ingredients you tasted from the recipe. If you create a meal similar at home in your own kitchen, is that cultural appropriation? It's how the artistic process works and this is part of a conversation has been going on between artists from the time hand prints were discovered in caves in Altamira.
Cultural appropriation is understood in the context of capitalism such as when Disney straight up stole the work of a popular African artist rather than pay the artist with their production of Black Panther.
The current model of broker/artist relationship is threatened by the arrival of Non Fungible Tokens, and the innovation of Smart Contracts. Will this new democratized delivery of art impact the sensibilities of artists? We'll see.
I think of artists such as Gypsy Baby on OpenSea platform who attempts to integrate folk art and conceptual art in digital era are representative of this shift to a more personal audience. This artist is a marginalized member of a community which exists in a society designed to to exclude. Never get exposure under the current broker/artist model.
But cultural appropriation? Without at least attribution? The difference between a student and a fraud.
I've always had a problem with the concept of cultural appropriation from an artistic perspective. Artists inspire each other. If you were in a foreign country and encountered a meal you've never had before - It's one of the best you ever encountered.
You are a pretty good cook yourself and believe you can recreate the dish from the ingredients you tasted from the recipe. If you create a meal similar at home in your own kitchen, is that cultural appropriation? It's how the artistic process works and this is part of a conversation has been going on between artists from the time hand prints were discovered in caves in Altamira.
Cultural appropriation is understood in the context of capitalism such as when Disney straight up stole the work of a popular African artist rather than pay the artist with their production of Black Panther.
The current model of broker/artist relationship is threatened by the arrival of Non Fungible Tokens, and the innovation of Smart Contracts. Will this new democratized delivery of art impact the sensibilities of artists? We'll see.
I think of artists such as Gypsy Baby on OpenSea platform who attempts to integrate folk art and conceptual art in digital era are representative of this shift to a more personal audience. This artist is a marginalized member of a community which exists in a society designed to to exclude. Never get exposure under the current broker/artist model.
But cultural appropriation? Without at least attribution? The difference between a student and a fraud.
thewiseking wrote:
This is the correct response to "cultural appropriation".
more lame Boomer cultural appropriation
did we really need the Feelin Groovy guy to introduce us to isicathamiya and mbube? I mean, it is roughly equivalent to Pat Boone singing Tutti Frutti
This is the correct response to "cultural appropriation".
thewiseking wrote:
WRONG!!
more lame Boomer cultural appropriation
did we really need the Feelin Groovy guy to introduce us to isicathamiya and mbube? I mean, it is roughly equivalent to Pat Boone singing Tutti Frutti
WRONG!!
forthbrdge wrote:
And RP have just done the same thing again...
I was just reading all the song comments for Wake Up by Oliver Mtukudzi discussing that song's connections to Paul Simon's Graceland, and low and behold the next song on the RP Playlist...
And RP have just done the same thing again...
more lame Boomer cultural appropriation
did we really need the Feelin Groovy guy to introduce us to isicathamiya and mbube? I mean, it is roughly equivalent to Pat Boone singing Tutti Frutti
did we really need the Feelin Groovy guy to introduce us to isicathamiya and mbube? I mean, it is roughly equivalent to Pat Boone singing Tutti Frutti
I was just reading all the song comments for Wake Up by Oliver Mtukudzi discussing that song's connections to Paul Simon's Graceland, and low and behold the next song on the RP Playlist...
TheKing2 wrote:
Au contraire. Compared with this, "Wake Up" is turgid. In fact I PSD'ed to get here.
From "Wake up" to Graceland shows how much swing this song misses.
Au contraire. Compared with this, "Wake Up" is turgid. In fact I PSD'ed to get here.
This sound is totally stolen from Lord Huron, no?
I kid.
I kid.
dischuckin wrote:
Indeed. I used to think I was the only one who though this.
i have a different interpretation of a girl in nyc calling herself the 'human trampoline' 
Indeed. I used to think I was the only one who though this.
paul simon wrote:
i have a different interpretation of a girl in nyc calling herself the 'human trampoline'
There is a girl in New York City
Who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when I'm falling, flying
Or tumbling in turmoil I say
Whoa, so this is what she means
She means we're bouncing into Graceland
Another excellent song from an excellent album.
From "Wake up" to Graceland shows how much swing this song misses.
jonahboo wrote:
Love it, did the same exact thing. Man that bass line is smoking. Love the whole album
fuck it
9>10
Love it, did the same exact thing. Man that bass line is smoking. Love the whole album
I'm a fan of this cover from The Tallest Man on Earth 
itsme_bygolly wrote:
Look after the king of R n R please
A Masterpiece. But if you want to be completely blown away, see what Justin Townes Earl does with it. Sorry, Paul. Justin owns this tune now.
Look after the king of R n R please
A Masterpiece. But if you want to be completely blown away, see what Justin Townes Earl does with it. Sorry, Paul. Justin owns this tune now.
coloradojohn wrote:
Speaking of "exuberance"...I saw Paul on his last tour, and early on, my wife and I wondered how he managed to keep it up at his age, and by the end, it was obvious: he was having a blast! Best concert of my life (and I've been to a lot!)
So many rhythms, so much exuberance, so many depths and colors of sound in this one! And quantum-heartbreak lyrics. Pure genius!
Speaking of "exuberance"...I saw Paul on his last tour, and early on, my wife and I wondered how he managed to keep it up at his age, and by the end, it was obvious: he was having a blast! Best concert of my life (and I've been to a lot!)
cely wrote:
that's a gorgeous image of peace and contentment, made me smile widely, thanks
That moment, chowing down on a cheeseburger and hearing this, I'm hoping I think about it at that moment when the light flickers away for good.
that's a gorgeous image of peace and contentment, made me smile widely, thanks
Nothing not to like. Just puts a smile on my face.
Ah, the days of the "album." Can't separate any of these songs from the others on that record that I heard on one amazed night in a burger bar on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Every piece blended into the other. Even the song order wouldn't have mattered much. The genius of Paul Simon and the genius of the guitar sound that developed in South Africa poured together into this record and made it one of the greatest of all time at a pretty late date for the LP. That moment, chowing down on a cheeseburger and hearing this, I'm hoping I think about it at that moment when the light flickers away for good.
RIP Joseph Shabalala, leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, featured on this album.
uksminas wrote:
Nice Elvis hair-do on that lil piggy....HI-larious!! LLRP!!
Nice Elvis hair-do on that lil piggy....HI-larious!! LLRP!!
So well said
"
And I see losing love
Is like a window into your heart
And everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow"
'Nuff said!
And I see losing love
Is like a window into your heart
And everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow"
'Nuff said!
Just saw him perform this song last Friday in Oakland, in a small venue that sold out in four minutes (so I was told; I'm an usher and fortunately did not need to buy a ticket). It was an incredible show. He's on his way to perform in Maui (lucky folks there).
A brilliant artist at his zenith.
fuck it
9>10
9>10
OK, good song. Heard it plenty.
There's something in his voice that I find so annoying. I can't help it.
Proclivities wrote:
C'mon, VH1: The 1987 Graceland Tour concert that Simon played in Africa was in Zimbabwe, not South Africa. Had it been played in South Africa in 1987, the audience certainly would have been segregated, if allowed in at all - South Africa was still under apartheid. Miriam Makeba did not return to South Africa until 1990 - after Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years in prison. Hugh Masekela did not return until a year or two after that.
It's possible that in South Africa, the musicians playing with Simon during the recording of this album (not during live performances) had to go through conditions such as segregated restrooms, transport, and entrances, but I don't know where that other poster got that information - it was probably not from the 45th US President though.
Great restrained reply, Proc! Let the facts talk and the music play, eh?.
C'mon, VH1: The 1987 Graceland Tour concert that Simon played in Africa was in Zimbabwe, not South Africa. Had it been played in South Africa in 1987, the audience certainly would have been segregated, if allowed in at all - South Africa was still under apartheid. Miriam Makeba did not return to South Africa until 1990 - after Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years in prison. Hugh Masekela did not return until a year or two after that.
It's possible that in South Africa, the musicians playing with Simon during the recording of this album (not during live performances) had to go through conditions such as segregated restrooms, transport, and entrances, but I don't know where that other poster got that information - it was probably not from the 45th US President though.
Great restrained reply, Proc! Let the facts talk and the music play, eh?.
VH1 wrote:
Don't you just love it when people trumpet their limited knowledge all over the world? Where the hell did you get this? Donald Trump?
What you wrote is BS of the finest category or crap at its best!
I have seen the concert and there was absolutely no segregation between white and black artists nor the audience. Furthermore, I do not believe that Miriam Makeba would have played the concert if this was all so awful, she just would not have stand for it. Neither would have Hugh Masakela or Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Because before they recorded the album they together attented a concert in SA.
Paul Simon made it possible, that Makeba could return to SA for the first time in 27 years, having being refused re-entry into the country after a concert abroad in 1959.
And Masakela was forbidden to play concerts at all. The album is one of the best ever made, but I do not discuss taste, that is a personal matter....
Get your facts straight Bonehead. Don't be an embarresment.
C'mon, VH1: The 1987 Graceland Tour concert that Simon played in Africa was in Zimbabwe, not South Africa. Had it been played in South Africa in 1987, the audience certainly would have been segregated, if allowed in at all - South Africa was still under apartheid. Miriam Makeba did not return to South Africa until 1990 - after Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years in prison. Hugh Masekela did not return until a year or two after that.
It's possible that in South Africa, the musicians playing with Simon during the recording of this album (not during live performances) had to go through conditions such as segregated restrooms, transport, and entrances, but I don't know where that other poster got that information - it was probably not from the 45th US President though.
Don't you just love it when people trumpet their limited knowledge all over the world? Where the hell did you get this? Donald Trump?
What you wrote is BS of the finest category or crap at its best!
I have seen the concert and there was absolutely no segregation between white and black artists nor the audience. Furthermore, I do not believe that Miriam Makeba would have played the concert if this was all so awful, she just would not have stand for it. Neither would have Hugh Masakela or Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Because before they recorded the album they together attented a concert in SA.
Paul Simon made it possible, that Makeba could return to SA for the first time in 27 years, having being refused re-entry into the country after a concert abroad in 1959.
And Masakela was forbidden to play concerts at all. The album is one of the best ever made, but I do not discuss taste, that is a personal matter....
Get your facts straight Bonehead. Don't be an embarresment.
C'mon, VH1: The 1987 Graceland Tour concert that Simon played in Africa was in Zimbabwe, not South Africa. Had it been played in South Africa in 1987, the audience certainly would have been segregated, if allowed in at all - South Africa was still under apartheid. Miriam Makeba did not return to South Africa until 1990 - after Nelson Mandela was released from 27 years in prison. Hugh Masekela did not return until a year or two after that.
It's possible that in South Africa, the musicians playing with Simon during the recording of this album (not during live performances) had to go through conditions such as segregated restrooms, transport, and entrances, but I don't know where that other poster got that information - it was probably not from the 45th US President though.
A much more deserving candidate for this years nobel price for literature!
adpucci wrote:
Don't you just love it when people trumpet their limited knowledge all over the world? Where the hell did you get this? Donald Trump?
What you wrote is BS of the finest category or crap at its best!
I have seen the concert and there was absolutely no segregation between white and black artists nor the audience. Furthermore, I do not believe that Miriam Makeba would have played the concert if this was all so awful, she just would not have stand for it. Neither would have Hugh Masakela or Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Because before they recorded the album they together attented a concert in SA.
Paul Simon made it possible, that Makeba could return to SA for the first time in 27 years, having being refused re-entry into the country after a concert abroad in 1959.
And Masakela was forbidden to play concerts at all. The album is one of the best ever made, but I do not discuss taste, that is a personal matter.
Prejudice breeds Seperation. Seperation breeds more prejudice.
Get your facts straight Bonehead. Don't be an embarresment.
...he did record with local black artists but, incidentally, those musicians had to be kept segregated from whites as far as transport, entrances, restrooms and toilets were concerned.
despicable individual.
the music is good, but it remains one of the worst albums of all times nonetheless.
despicable individual.
the music is good, but it remains one of the worst albums of all times nonetheless.
Don't you just love it when people trumpet their limited knowledge all over the world? Where the hell did you get this? Donald Trump?
What you wrote is BS of the finest category or crap at its best!
I have seen the concert and there was absolutely no segregation between white and black artists nor the audience. Furthermore, I do not believe that Miriam Makeba would have played the concert if this was all so awful, she just would not have stand for it. Neither would have Hugh Masakela or Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Because before they recorded the album they together attented a concert in SA.
Paul Simon made it possible, that Makeba could return to SA for the first time in 27 years, having being refused re-entry into the country after a concert abroad in 1959.
And Masakela was forbidden to play concerts at all. The album is one of the best ever made, but I do not discuss taste, that is a personal matter.
Prejudice breeds Seperation. Seperation breeds more prejudice.
Get your facts straight Bonehead. Don't be an embarresment.
That's it. Right there.
Wow, what a set, Bill! Big Daddy doing an Afro-tinged "Once in a Lifetime", then Talking Heads' "Flowers"...I knew something from Graceland must be coming up!
in 1986, apartheid was still very much legal in South Africa.
the #BDS movement called upon civil society to boycott South Africa, this in fact was so successful that within a relatively very short time from 1986 apartheid was brought to an end, due to the financial pressure.
Paul Simon was offered the studios of Sun City to record for free, or almost, and he justified himself against the internationl outrage and comdemnation, by saying that he thought he'd get a chance to record with some local musicians.
prominent South African artists, both in SA and in exile overseas, were loudly and rightly disgusted - one of the results was the charity single (AIN'T GONNA PLAY) SUN CITY.
he did record with local black artists but, incidentally, those musicians had to be kept segregated from whites as far as transport, entrances, restrooms and toilets were concerned.
despicable individual.
the music is good, but it remains one of the worst albums of all times nonetheless.
the #BDS movement called upon civil society to boycott South Africa, this in fact was so successful that within a relatively very short time from 1986 apartheid was brought to an end, due to the financial pressure.
Paul Simon was offered the studios of Sun City to record for free, or almost, and he justified himself against the internationl outrage and comdemnation, by saying that he thought he'd get a chance to record with some local musicians.
prominent South African artists, both in SA and in exile overseas, were loudly and rightly disgusted - one of the results was the charity single (AIN'T GONNA PLAY) SUN CITY.
he did record with local black artists but, incidentally, those musicians had to be kept segregated from whites as far as transport, entrances, restrooms and toilets were concerned.
despicable individual.
the music is good, but it remains one of the worst albums of all times nonetheless.
Still great
A great song from one of the greatest albums ever made.
Not a stinker in the bunch.
Not a stinker in the bunch.
So many rhythms, so much exuberance, so many depths and colors of sound in this one! And quantum-heartbreak lyrics. Pure genius!
me likey like, very much!
steeler wrote:
Paul Simon is a giant among songwriters of any generation.
Paul Simon is just a giant among songwriters of his generation.
This song is near his heights, and is representative of the quality and diversity.
This song is near his heights, and is representative of the quality and diversity.
Paul Simon is a giant among songwriters of any generation.
msymmes wrote:
There should be more 10s, IMO. I think that this is one of the finest albums of all time.
Check out the ratings distribution chart on this. Incredible.
There should be more 10s, IMO. I think that this is one of the finest albums of all time.
i am going to aaaaahfreakaaaah! whooooo!
Check out the ratings distribution chart on this. Incredible.
Paul Simon is just a giant among songwriters of his generation.
This song is near his heights, and is representative of the quality and diversity.
This song is near his heights, and is representative of the quality and diversity.
Bill has impeccable taste and knows how to string them together !!!!
ODAD wrote:
ODAD wrote:
OK, after Big Daddy -- Once In A Lifetime, I was thinking "some Paul Simon world music would fit in here sometime after this".
BillG having the same thought as I did -- kinda freaky, huh ?
BillG having the same thought as I did -- kinda freaky, huh ?
OK, after Big Daddy -- Once In A Lifetime, I was thinking "some Paul Simon world music would fit in here sometime after this".
BillG having the same thought as I did -- kinda freaky, huh ?
BillG having the same thought as I did -- kinda freaky, huh ?
This post apparently contained an image that was dragged into the post editor. Sorry, but any text contained in the post after this point has been lost.
Really, really groovy sounds in this one, which I didn't really appreciate as much then as I do now...nice, hearing it first time in a long while!
TerryS wrote:
If I had wings I could fly.
Subtract the walking fretless bass and this is a lesser piece.
If I had wings I could fly.
National Guitar
I'd really like to hear "Elvis is Dead" by Living Colour follow this song up.
It's the only way, really...
It's the only way, really...
Quite frankly, this album changed my musical life forever. Great tune.
Oh dear. Three 1s and a 2 in quick succession. I love RP but occasionally it drops in sequences of lemons, to these uncultured ears anyway. So it goes. TFF PSD.
Still a grest song!
;
;
TerryS wrote:
...and your point is?
Subtract the walking fretless bass and this is a lesser piece.
...and your point is?
ncollingridge wrote:
I agree... this album is in the top ten of all time... love this song forever... time flies when we're having fun... we be dancing...
Quite excellent. I had forgotten quite how brilliant this track is, from what is also an almost peerless album.
I agree... this album is in the top ten of all time... love this song forever... time flies when we're having fun... we be dancing...
Quite excellent. I had forgotten quite how brilliant this track is, from what is also an almost peerless album.
And what makes this particular track stand out? PHIL AND DON, that's what!
Everybody in my church loves this song, and this whole album...
Top 5 album of the 80s hands down. Its interesting that he achieved such brilliance at this point in his career and not earlier. In know Garfunkle fans will disagree, but its hard to argue that S & G's music approached the complexity and sensitivity of Simon's work on Graceland.
How is it that I hadn't rated this yet? 10 on an album of tens.
Not a huge fan of Paul Simon alone, but this never ceases to blow me away....a solid 10! The lyrics to this and "Boy in the Bubble" are just incredible.
ThePoose wrote:
Bakithi Kumalo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAgd9Ijw6WI
Kumalo was one of the main South African inspirations and collaborateurs on the album. Absolutely incredible.
Great song because it is so American, besides the African music influence.
Love the growly fretless work on this. Who's the bassist?
Bakithi Kumalo
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAgd9Ijw6WI
Kumalo was one of the main South African inspirations and collaborateurs on the album. Absolutely incredible.
Great song because it is so American, besides the African music influence.
Perfect.
gotta see the Graceland 25 years later TV show on cable last night
Still one of the greatest songs and albums of the past 50 years.
Paul Simon & Willie Nelson - Graceland, Live
"2 of my 3 favorite songwriter/poets together. Wonderful." 1catlucy
Subtract the walking fretless bass and this is a lesser piece.
Absolutely a 10. Graceland and The Boxer, which he did with his buddy Art, are my all-timers by them.
GRANDIOS 
9>10
just gets better and better
just gets better and better
romeotuma wrote:
I was born in Graceland...
i was born again in this album
I was born in Graceland...
i was born again in this album
ri_shelton wrote:
it's the brown shag carpet on the walls of the jungle room - brought tears to my eyes too
Damn! Tears in my eyes again! Is it the chords? Is it the promise of America? Is it the dissolution of important relationships?
it's the brown shag carpet on the walls of the jungle room - brought tears to my eyes too
Damn! Tears in my eyes again! Is it the chords? Is it the promise of America? Is it the dissolution of important relationships?
That bassline is nothing other than awsome!
One of Pauls absolute best songs imo.
amen.
I remember when Graceland beat out So for best album at the Grammys that year. At the time I was incensed, but as the years passed I have come to agree with the choice.
nice!
baltimorelovejoy wrote:
I think it's in my top 47 too.
Definitely one of my 25 favorite songs, since I was a very young lad.
I think it's in my top 47 too.
Paul Simon, an American Treasure!
That human trampoline line sneaks up on me every time. LOL
That human trampoline line sneaks up on me every time. LOL
did I tell you I love all music?? well now I did,,,if I have something bad to say I keep to myself these days
Just checkin' that I gave this a 9.
(I hadn't - I'd given it an 8: what was I thinking of?)
p.s. I agree with you, JWB, - the tempo seems a bit wrong, like.
(I hadn't - I'd given it an 8: what was I thinking of?)
p.s. I agree with you, JWB, - the tempo seems a bit wrong, like.
Love the growly fretless work on this. Who's the bassist?
For some reason this sounds just slightly different from the one on the Graceland CD I have. The tempo seems just a little bit odd. Is there more than one take of this floating around?
Edit: Poking through my friend's record collection, I found that the RP version of the song is from the remastered release of the CD. My version is the original. The textures of the song are very different between the two.
Edit: Poking through my friend's record collection, I found that the RP version of the song is from the remastered release of the CD. My version is the original. The textures of the song are very different between the two.
smehan55 wrote:
Nope. Not jealous. I just really do not care for Paul Simon. Grates on my nerves. Just too sickening sweet for me. But in a too much artificial sweetner sort of way.
You seem to be in a small minority. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
thewiseking wrote:
Ya know, if I want to listen to great music from around the world I will do that.
I don't need Mr Simon, or anyone else, to spit it up predigested.
LOL, good luck finding something that isn't influenced by something else in the world. And of all PS's stuff, I think this is the least evident of an international influence.
Definitely one of my 25 favorite songs, since I was a very young lad.
Like a breath of fresh air after that Rickie Lee Jones trainwreck!
Ya know, if I want to listen to great music from around the world I will do that.
I don't need Mr Simon, or anyone else, to spit it up predigested.
horstman wrote:
Oooh, some one sounds a little jealous!
Nope. Not jealous. I just really do not care for Paul Simon. Grates on my nerves. Just too sickening sweet for me. But in a too much artificial sweetner sort of way.
windhorse wrote:
Well put and absolutely agree. How can I change my 9 to a 10...?
Just do it. Click on the rating list to choose 10, then click Rate!.
steeler wrote:
Gentle. Soothing. Understated. Brilliant.
I believe that Paul Simon has never really received the credit he is due as probably one of the great American composers of the past 50 years. Perhaps it is because there is not any one song or album that is considered a masterwork. But the man has been consistently excellent, and has taken on a number of musical challenges.
Well put and absolutely agree. How can I change my 9 to a 10...?
smehan55 wrote:
I just don't understand why everyone loves Paul Simon. I think his work is just way too precious, pretentious and cutesy-wootsey. "Listen to my cute little rhymes. I'm just soooo clever with my cute little words ... oooh shining like a National guitar ... I'm soooo clever ... " Blech.
Oooh, some one sounds a little jealous!
Amazing poet... listen to those lines...think he's more connected at times than Dylan...and MUCH easier to listen too...
Probably one of my top 10 favorite songs. Definitely a 10.
You're reading soooooooo much more into this song that what it actually is.
Great, great album.
smehan55 wrote:
I just don't understand why everyone loves Paul Simon. I think his work is just way too precious, pretentious and cutesy-wootsey. "Listen to my cute little rhymes. I'm just soooo clever with my cute little words ... oooh shining like a National guitar ... I'm soooo clever ... " Blech.
Back in the 70's, I took a songwriting class by Sammie Cahn, and at that time he noted Simon as one of the great American songwriters. Nothing Simon has done before or since that time does any disservice to that notion - especially Graceland.
I just don't understand why everyone loves Paul Simon. I think his work is just way too precious, pretentious and cutesy-wootsey. "Listen to my cute little rhymes. I'm just soooo clever with my cute little words ... oooh shining like a National guitar ... I'm soooo clever ... " Blech.
Rhymin'Simon!!
This song is simply beautiful in all respects.
I'm praying for my entry into Graceland also!
I can't believe I haven't rated this song already. A solid "10."
I think this album was magic or something. It is so thoroughly excellent, beginning to end.
Thanks for playing this.
HMS_Beagle wrote:
This one goes straight to my heart. Part of my upbringing, and probably PS's best work.
I saw a show on VH1 where Paul Simon was talking about the making of the Graceland album and he said that the song Graceland was the best song that he ever created. He should know.
His best, and thats a big call.
What a rythme section!
govna wrote:
the only one of his african sounding songs that i can stand.
That's kinda funny. Aside from the beautiful guitar work this one barely sounds "African" at all. I guess that's why you like it but you're missing out on some wonderful tunes...African or not.
This one goes straight to my heart. Part of my upbringing, and probably PS's best work.
This puts the "Paradise" in "Radio Paradise". 
Franz Ferdinand into Modest Mouse into Paul Simon... only on RP. Great transition... I love it!!!
the only one of his african sounding songs that i can stand.
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow"
So profoundly true. PS, thanks for your Genius.