First Time Hearing Paul Simon You Can Call Me Al (Reaction!!)

[@poloreacts27]

Just want to say thanks for watching my crazy reactions! If you enjoy what I do on this channel consider supporting me. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio daily, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family, you guys motivate me to put out content daily. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts PEACE!!

[@johnnyappleseed5590]

Some more amazing folk singers to check out are Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Don McLean, James Taylor, etc.

[@jenniferm5298]

I NEED that spinning thing in your desk :). Can you point me in the right direction as to where to find it or the name?

[@markadolph8715]

Somebody may have explained this already, but what you were WATCHING in the video was the comedian Chevy Chase "singing" lead, with Paul Simon sitting by meekly. What you were HEARING was Paul Simon,, a backup band, and the amazing Ladysmith Black Mambazo singing backup. This is from the album Graceland, which incorporates South African music into his - the "island" sound you were hearing. The whole album is a masterpiece

[@aspect57]

yeah i love this video but the massive thing we lose here is not paul simon's part (cos of the chevy chase joke), but the amazingly talented south african musicians who were partners on this entire record. but still, funny ass video! and yes the "joke" is basically lost on anyone who didn't grow up with this record.

[@jvoodoochild2755]

Yes another track on Graceland that really puts forward Ladysmith Black Mambazo is Diamonds on the Soles of my Shoes For this song, to have a true solo is amazing but that bass is siiiiiiiiiiick

[@wiredjerk]

Yeah, I think it was supposed to be a joke on how Chevy Chase takes over every production he’s a part of(gotten a bit of a reputation as an asshole cause of it). So the idea being he was invited by Simon to be in the music video but takes it over, because almost all music videos at the time were lip syncs anyway - so he just had to ‘steal the part’ from Paul.

[@CandyYuchasz]

Someone may have mentioned this already, but I suggest only listening to these songs to gain an auditory reaction only. Some of these 80’s videos are so stupid. 😂

[@lorilxn1597]

I remember when this came out on MTV, back when MTV was great

[@pamelsims2068]

Don't toy with just this track... commit to the entire "Graceland " album....... one of the 10 best albums recorded by any artist !

[@dalenecoburn6341]

I'm a south african 62-year old woman, and I remember when this album came out back in the apartheid days, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Paul Simon, and all I did back then, every time I played it, was to get up and dance and think, yeah! It was so joyous and it still is. Every song on it is breathtakingly wonderful.

[@waitronunit41]

I'm 59--this album blew my mind. Such an impact on the culture. Had to play it from beginning to end for the whole arc. And the trouble Paul got into for breaking the embargo!!

[@seanhutt4621]

The entire Graceland album is a masterclass turn how to be truly musical Diamonds on the soles of her shoes is probably my favorite song and the Saturday night live performance is very worth your time .. as he brought what seems to be 20+ musicians with him from Africa to tour and do the tribal harmonics and drums it's absolutely fantastic As always you keep being awesome brother and I'll keep watching

[@vickiroman189]

Yes - the "Diamonds" performance you mention is absolutely joyful!

[@TheTish]

Definitely listen to Paul Simon’s amazingly crafted tracks on Graceland. I’d love to hear your reaction to others from this specific album. Among my top favorites.

[@collinschultz3868]

❤

[@chrisdriver7776]

Paul Simon is brilliant.

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

BRO, This song as well as the entire album is super. Not a lesser song on the complete album. Paul Simon and Bob Dylan came to Duluth Minnesota together for an outdoor concert by the big lake, Lake Superior. Paul had his award winning drummer from Zimbabwe. Along with Bob Dylan, and his mastery of lyrics, that evening was a night to remember, and something I'll never forget. My favorite song is "Graceland", from the album of the same name. What a great reaction to a great song! THANK YOU!

[@birch5757]

Graceland is one of my favorite songs of all time, but this one is great as well.

[@pt8169]

​ @birch5757 & James Same same. Graceland is one of the best songs and albums. I'd love to see a reaction to Graceland! (the song)

[@marta150]

Hey Duluth, I was there too.

[@JPammo]

I bet that was great!

[@darsynia]

I have to tell you my biggest shame related to this album. In 1999 there was a guy I really liked, not quite a relationship, but he kept quoting to me a verse from a Graceland song and told me to look it up. This was when that was hard, no streaming, I'd have to go buy it, I never did. The song was Gumboots, and the chorus, IF I HAD EVER LOOKED IT UP: "You don't feel you could love me, but I feel you could" THAT WAS A PRO LINE I was just poor AF and didn't know how to find the song. I totally regret. By the time I ever listened to it, it was too late. I am so sorry sir, I hope you tried again, that was the most romantic thing ever and I whiffed it for you.

[@jennybird6268]

The tall guy is Chevy Chase. The short guy Is Paul Simon.

[@poloreacts27]

I thought he looked familiar

[@littlebear6119]

You really should check out Paul Simon's album "Graceland" from the 1980's taking place live in South Africa with many African singers and dancers. Fantastic, really!!!

[@jamesbondbond8388]

Paul Simon is a genius

[@knowthepillarsofdemocracy]

The entire Graceland album was nothing short of a masterpiece.

[@christianmarler2253]

Top ten favorite.

[@capty26]

Most professional musicians put that album in there top five 🙂

[@christianmarler2253]

@@capty26 I can't quite put in in the top five, mainly because I'm only a rather unprofessional quasi-musician (some would probably even label me a "non-musician"). It might make number six for me, though, if it would make me a better unprofessional quasi-non-musician. 😅

[@raeje]

Oooh. Always loved this song. The bass line is sick. Also the short one is Paul Simon. The tall guy is Chevy Chase. He's just an actor for the video. He was in a lot of 80's things, and more recently "Community" (Although has some musical skills himself)

[@sourisvoleur4854]

I believe he played drums with Becker and Fagan in the very earliest days of Steely Dan.

[@joelliebler5690]

This is the legendary songwriter who is up there with the Beatles, Stevie Wonder. He was the writer as part of Simon and Garfunkel with songs such as Bridge Over Troubled Water and the Boxer.He has had a long internationally known solo career with songs like Graceland, Kodachrome, Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, and so much more.

[@cozycottage1970]

Diamonds on the soles of her shoes- Paul Simon- Live in Africa 1987. Phenomenal. Pleeeaase react to this one soon. I promise you will not regret it. Love your channel and your content so much. Thank you 😊

[@gradypatterson1948]

The musical style is derived from Mbaqanga - a South African music style derived from Zulu roots. Paul Simon generated a fairly major controversy by breaking an embargo (aimed at the apartheid of the time) in order to study the area's musical traditions. This album includes significant contribution by African artists including Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

[@Theomite]

Oh, I thought the controversy was about appropriation (back before we had that term in use). I would hazard to suppose it might have been worth it if his efforts helped expand knowledge of the music's existence to the world.

[@gradypatterson1948]

@@Theomite - that was exactly the argument Simon made. He freely admitted breaking the embargo, but denied that he had harmed or exploited the African musicians at all - in fact, he paid them well above what they could have made otherwise, he brought international attention to a musical style which had before been - by social and governmental action - limited to some areas of the Soweto district. He brought numerous musicians who would otherwise been unknown outside the area to international attention - and while he *did* profit somewhat from it, his earnings for the album were a significant downturn for him. Without "Graceland", Ladysmith Black Mombazo (in particular) would have been unknown outside a small region of South Africa - instead, they became internationally known, and have toured worldwide on their own - not just with Simon.

[@FernGullyVibe]

I was looking through the comments to see if anyone provided this information. Thank you. It's amazing to think the collaboration was overlooked due to political ideals. I think he said at the time 'What gives governments the right to wear the cloak or morality?

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

@@gradypatterson1948 Paul Simon on his tour along with Bob Dylan brought several of the same musicians that was used to create "Graceland" to Duluth Minnesota. A legendary night under the stars by Lake Superior was a night of music I'll never forget.

[@leadoucet1432]

@@JamesJohnson-ig6of lucky you! I remember when the album came out and we started seeing the African artists on TV shows. It was such music and opened our eyes, and ears, to something different

[@sensey07]

Back in 1970, Paul and his wife were invited to the Manhattan apartment of someone (reasonably famous) who didn't know who he was, so he called him Al (and his wife Betty). This continued thru the night and when they were heading out, their host (again) called them Al and Betty. 15 years later, Paul decided to make a song around it ... just one of many examples of his incredible song-writing talent. This is the guy that wrote The Sound of Silence (an absolute standard) at age 21. Incredible insight for someone that young.

[@MajorDenisBloodnok]

It was the French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. So, Paul and Peggy were lost in translation and became Al and Betty...

[@robinwillis719]

He fell in love with Africa. Loved their music and made an album to honor it. Graceland.

[@benhinds2971]

This album was a huge deal. besides winning every award. It brought the international community together to rally behind the soon to be released Nelson Mandela and the soon to be abolished Apartheid in South Africa. Simon used mosatly SA musicians as well as launching the international career of vocal group Ladysmith Black Mombazu. Then they topped it all off with a huge world televised concert from the slums of the black shanty town of Johannesburg. I think it was there. Maybe Capetown. Chevy Chase was one of the creators of Saturday Night Live. As well as some of the most classic 80s movies. Fletch. Vacation. Caddyshack. Three Amigos.

[@chrischar9428]

Creator or cast member

[@fourroadsnorth2723]

Love the African beat. There is a world of top notch African music we are missing. Check it out.

[@quintondees4501]

The tall guy is Chevy Chase not a musician, he got his start on SNL, then he became Clark Griswald from the vacation movies!

[@aerynoftalyn1307]

Anything Paul Simon is guaranteed A++++

[@IsabelleRSG]

a 100% guaranteed feel good song

[@Wellch]

But depressing lyrics.

[@dianekey4780]

I love to watch your reaction when a song puts you totally in the groove and that smile starts to grow across your face and you start to move. I love how it is a universal joy!

[@MOS650]

You should check out his song -Slip Sliding Away.

[@AmyAnderson-fields]

The background vocals on this are by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simon went to South Africa and collaborated with Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith. Very controversial because of apartheid, but he felt (rightly, I believe) that you cannot boycott artists. You should also listen to Homeless, also on the Graceland album.

[@vickihirsch8340]

And Chevy Chase lip sinc is perfect!

[@johnalderete5328]

Bakithi Kumalo played the bass on this and many of the tracks on Graceland. The solo he recorded is actually half the length we hear in the song, but when mixing they wanted a longer solo so the made a copy of it, flipped it backwards and slapped it together. So what we hear is a palindrome, or a mirror image. But when the went out on tour Kumalo had to relearn his own solo.

[@SAM-dg3vd]

Love that Simon is obviously not moving his fingers on the penny whistle, love the hangdog looks he's giving Chevy that his part has been co-opted, and someone pointed out that 1:57 Chevy drops the water glass through the "table" (it's a drum stand), and that at I think 4:15-ish Chevy sticks the end of the horn right in Paul's face and he totally breaks character for a moment 🥰🤣

[@EHiggins]

"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is a classic Paul Simon from 1975 it has very different energy but is also amazing=^.^=

[@GrimrDirge]

The entire Rhythm of the Saints album is a masterful vibe. Paul has worked across many genres.

[@soocool78]

not sure exactly if there was a reference in the video (still watching), but this song is off of the album Graceland

[@PapaMarechal]

I knew someone who worked in Monrovia, Liberia when this came out. When this track came on the radio, work in places like official government offices would grind to a halt. People had to get up and dance.

[@Bramble.cottage.witchery]

I literally danced my baby out to this song. 5 days after my due date it was on repeat 😂 this was in 2021.. timeless song.

[@erinwhite1077]

Yes I'm that old but I remember when this song came out my dad and I would sing the song at the top of our lungs every time it came on the radio was the video has Chevy Chase enough. It's amazing how long Paul Simon has been around the fact that he wrote The sound of silence with the group Simon & Garfunkel way back and is still relevant even in 2022 mind-blowing

[@AbsoluteApril]

that's awesome! I remember dancing around with my mom when this video would come on. Such a fun song

[@petepal55]

From Wikipedia: His albums Paul Simon (1972), There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) kept him in the public eye and drew acclaim, producing the hits "Mother and Child Reunion", "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".

[@fausty150]

The whole album is next level. Especially Homeless, moonlight sleeping......

[@sethwhite3424]

So glad you got to experience the great Bakithi Kumalo

[@RJ-oy7cq]

The Tall guy is a comedian/actor...started in Saturday Night Live, was in Caddyshack, Vacation, Christmas Vacation, Fletch and others.

[@RJ-oy7cq]

Named Chevy Chase! In the video he's pretending to hog the limelight and fake play instruments.

[@FernGullyVibe]

Awesome reaction! I've been listening to Paul Simon since he was with Art Garfunkel back in the 60's. I'm not a Disturbed fan but their rendition of the duo's song 'The Sound of Silence' is exceptional.

[@mammuchan8923]

Our own Ladysmith Black Mambazo making this track awesome and so much fun🇿🇦. Polo the whole album is worth a listen💜. Glad to see it put a smile on your face 😇

[@ericgoodwinart]

“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon should be next!

[@lisamayerwille8752]

Also slip sliding away!

[@christopherr.561]

Love this song. So fun.

[@LoneStarTint]

I was about 10 or 11 when this album came out and it introduced me to a whole world of music I didn't know existed... world beat, reggae, etc.

[@tinaboksa3642]

One of my favorite songs. It has me laughing every time I hear it because the video always plays in my head along with the song.

[@robtintelnot9107]

I love this song. Made me jump around and dance when I was a little kid in the 80s.

[@mikepiccione886]

Homeless/ moonlight AMAZING

[@mistresstia]

I remember watching him in concert when I was a kid. My dad took the entire fam to the park where the concert was held back in the 80s. The entire concert was fire!! It was weird because we were the only black people my little eyes could see within the crowd.

[@benkelly7182]

I love parents like that. My dad was like this and his parents were not. Your comment is a reminder to do things like this for my daughter. To expose her to other groups of people and cultures. ❤

[@sharonkettler]

you would love Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes

[@AFL67pitt]

I see you chair dancin Polo that’s what music is all about

[@truthseeker12523]

"Graceland" should definitely be next!

[@TheBassplayr64]

If you haven't seen Paul Simon's "Graceland" concert, you must check it out!

[@audreybiester8309]

South African backing singers. Love this album especially "Graceland"

[@scottdebruyn7038]

Rap music from a 70's band in the 80's. Caribbean and Indian influences as well as a playful attitude in a most wonderful 'ear-worm'! Good luck getting it out of your head... although it's pleasant even after a few days. 😁

[@bryanflint9447]

I love how open minded you are with every genre of music

[@quintondees4501]

This one was pretty big back in the day, and a fun video

[@bryanflint9447]

Love this song. And the music video with Chevy Chase

[@lisamayerwille8752]

Paul Simon another great one is 50 ways to leave your lover! And Simon and Garfunkel Scarborough Faire!

[@rbrwrks]

When Paul played Austin ca. 1990, the crowd went so crazy over this song they played it again on the spot.

[@SharonLathanNovelist]

The amazingly talented and VERY famous comedic actor Chevy Chase is the tall guy. He is literally lip syncing to the song sung by Paul Simon (the short guy) of the VERY famous singing duo Simon and Garfunkel. You must check out the extensive playlist of the duo if you haven't already. Anyway, rumor has it that Chase lip synced this whole video in one sitting with no practice! Of course, whether that part is true or not, the joke is the two playing off of each other so brilliantly throughout the video. Watch again and look close for small bits that you might have missed, like the glass of water placed onto the "side table" by Chase, which of course crashed onto the floor because it isn't a table! Such a great video and a great song. Awesome reaction.

[@dlordmeister]

Check out his song Late in the Evening!

[@johnnyappleseed5590]

Always loved Simon & Garfunkel and Paul Simon solo along with many other folk singers. I grew up as an adolescent in the 80’s too loving hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, etc.

[@kerriea3149]

Love that you loved the bass solo! Paul simon is an amazing story teller!

[@socalreader850]

What you hear in the background is South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo! Check out Under African Skies together with Linda Ronstadt too!

[@bryanflint9447]

Yessss... it's that feel good tune 🎶

[@BrainWasherAttendent]

This whole album is great. Check out Simon and Garfunkel too.

[@bigjay123]

Paul Simon started doing work with that African singers, amazing music.

[@brettmarlar4154]

This has one of the most iconic bass solos of all time. The coolest thing about it is that the second half of it is just the first half repeated in reverse through a trick of editing. In the 80's this was recorded on analog tape, so it was no easy feat to make it sound natural.

[@MzMaDeaZ2U2]

I can't believe he hasn't heard this before. This song goes back to the Graceland Album.

[@50NewEyes]

Memories, ah what an album. One of my all time favourite albums

[@mauramanning852]

Saw him live in the late 80's. Gotta say - as much as I love all his music - I like him best when he was writing for Art Garfunkel's delicate vocals. Those early albums were almost meditative. And they spoke to my childhood loneliness. "I am a rock, I am an island" was my mantra at 10 years old. I can track the moments of my life by what music I was listening to. I wish you well on your musical journey.

[@mariaroncalli863]

Graceland (this song is on the album) has distinct African influences and it's the best. Ever.

[@oldsoulsheart]

Always liked this song because it was so upbeat and fun but definitely in a separate file from most music I listened to. Thanks for playing it!

[@chazdii]

Ahhhh Polo! So crazy to see you get into this one. One of my favorite music videos from my childhood! Huuuge Paul Simon fan, I think you would dig Kodachrome as well!

[@zippymacadoo6336]

LOOOOVE Kodachrome. So evocative.

[@chelsea6804]

Saw this live and it was amazing! He was also performing with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The volume of performers on stage at once was amazing. It was epic!

[@ThistleAndSea]

This entire LP is Excellent. Treat yourself someime and listen to it from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing this track. 🙂

[@aliquinn2474]

Paul Simon is the short guy. The tall man is Chevy Chase and actor. It's Paul singing the whole track and very talented musician playing numerous instruments. Paul Simon is a multiple Grammy winner .

[@robplotnick]

Solute to the person that requested this song. Paul is a badass musician.

[@waitronunit41]

This song always felt like a sequel to Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard.

[@thomperkins]

This whole album is amazing!! One of my favorite albums. Definitely in the top five. Keep up the great content!!

[@jomojojo6603]

Paul Simon is from the GREAT folk rock duet Simon and Garfunkel. Have you ever cried to a song, Polo? Listen to their "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

[@oscardiggs246]

I love when the cultural touchpoints of my life go completely unrecognized, like Chevy Chase here. Reminds me that in 50 years, no one will remember anything that we thought was terribly important for some reason.

[@seizer88]

Paul takes his stylings from all over the world, Cajun, South America, Africa and the finitely a Caribbean sound here. That's Chevy Chase from SNL.

[@muffinamy83]

"Graceland", the album this is from, is my desert island pick, 100%. I've listened to it 1000 times and could listen to 1000 more.

[@breannacarels6479]

This was the most played album in my house growing up as a child. Instant nostalgia. ❤

[@Raixor]

Great song to react to. I love that Paul got Chevy Chase to lip-sync his part *The next comedy bit you should definitely react to is, "Best Practical Joke (uncensored)" by Josh Wolf. And definitely do the uncensored, 21 minute one. WELL worth the time.*

[@daviddidder3781]

Half of Simon and Garfunkel. These 2 together? Something VERY special, and I’m a metal head!

[@jeffhagood9621]

As many have said, this a great album - in my top 5 ever! My favorites off of it are 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes', 'Under African Skies (a duet with Linda Ronstadt!!!!!)' and 'Crazy Love', but every song is fantastic - a wonderful collaboration with South African musicians that helped to end apartheid!

[@kcvfr400]

The song is fantastic, Chevy upstaging with mime in the video just takes it to new levels.

[@barbaramartinez7871]

Paul Simon's music is never dated.

[@angelskunk2206]

This song is off of Paul Simon’s Graceland album that he recorded in 1986 in South Africa with some local musical talents that wouldn’t have otherwise gotten anywhere near the exposure they got being on this album. There are some really good songs on it, like The Boy in the Bubble, Call Me Al, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, Under African Skies, I Know What I Know, That Was Your Mother, Crazy Love Vol. 2 and the song Graceland. It was surrounding by controversy because Simon recorded it in South Africa during an international boycott put in place by the United Nation’s Anti-apartheid committee. This would be a good album for you to review. He won Album of the Year for it and it has been called one of the best albums of all-time. You should Google the story.

[@tootz1950]

I hope after a year you 'get it'.

[@robopecha]

i loved this song when i was a kid in the 80s! now do Sledgehammer by peter gabriel already! music video version!

[@vanilla_milkshake]

omg bro this is one of the most iconic music videos ever made. The guy "singing" is the actor Chevy Chase lipsyncing, the guy beside him is the actual Paul Simon (who actually does play all those instruments)

[@rednoxmtb]

That song was in the top 5 when came out

[@MagatsuUjio]

Low key a fave from my childhood.

[@vickihirsch8340]

This album is an all-time favorite. Please do Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes!

[@dallasgarrison9557]

POLO IS ON TIME!!!! YE ALREADY KNOW!!!

[@areyouserious7080]

Paul Simon also wrote the song " the sound of silence " That disturbed did a cover on. by the way you listen to the wrong video of that song. Go the their Official video of disturbed. it has a greater impact.

[@loboclaud]

Graceland is probably one of the best albums ever. Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are extraordinary.

[@lynnieiapichino1121]

☮️💙from upstate ny