Legend REVIVED Career With This 1986 “Joke" Song, but it PISSED OFF His Peers! | Professor of Rock

Paul Simon wrote the title track to the best-selling album of 1970, 71, and 72 as half of one of the biggest groups of the Rock Era, Simon and Garfunkel When the duo broke up, he embarked on a very successful solo career that burned hot through the 70s. But by the early 80s, his star had cooled, and he dug deep within his artistic soul for inspiration that took him to a faraway continent… Africa. He called it Graceland! It re-energized his career and became one of the most acclaimed of the 80s and one of the most controversial. Coming up, the story of the lead single You Can Call Me Al... which came from someone calling this legend the wrong name twice at a dinner party. The song actually failed until he created one of the funniest music videos ever with Mr. Chevy Chase. The story is next on Professor of Rock.
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In 1970, Simon & Garfunkel’s final album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, was massive. It was the best-selling album of the year, and when the duo officially broke up the same year, the popularity of the record only got bigger. It continued to top the album charts to end up as the best-selling LP of ’71 and ’72 in the United States, and 10 other countries around the world. At the end of 1972 Bridge Over Troubled Water was the best-selling album of all time.
While their swan song controlled the album chart, Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon went their separate ways and embarked on solo careers. Garfunkel had 6 hit singles over the 10 years that followed, but Simon vaulted into solo superstardom with 9 pop hits, including the platinum mega-smash “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” that reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100- holding that position for 3 weeks in ’76.
In 1980, Paul scored two top 40 hits from the One Trick Pony album, which was released as a Motion Picture Soundtrack, a film that Paul starred in, and as Paul’s 5th studio album. There was “Late in the Evening” which climbed to #6 in America and #9 in the UK: And, the gritty, streetwise title cut “One Trick Pony” that peaked at #40 on the Billboard Pop chart: By the mid-80s, Paul’s career had cooled considerably. He craved artistic revitalization. Not so much for the commercial benefits…but for his internal joy of artistic fulfillment.
Paul had already composed one of the most powerfully emotive songs ever written with “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” for which he shared the spotlight with Art Garfunkel. What he wanted in ’85, was to compose his opus as a solo artist. It became a sojourn that took him to South Africa at the ugly height of forced racial segregation known as Apartheid. Paul’s marriage to actress Carrie Fisher fell apart, and his 6th studio album, Hearts and Bones, put out in ’83, was his worst seller.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest album of the 80s, where every song is great?

[@Sweet--Richard.4981]

Sonic Temple

[@stephenbrown4211]

Bella Donna Back In Black Misplaced Childhood Clutching At Straws Love Over Gold

[@freezer8530]

I'll nominate 4 by Foreigner.

[@catherine6653]

Graceland is my first choice Peter Gabriel, So John Mellencamp, Scarecrow Sting, Dream of the Blue Turtles

[@tonysustarsic5212]

I've got to go with Bruce Springsteen "Born in the USA"

[@docinparadise]

Graceland, and more specifically “Call me Al” is the happiest memory of my life. This is not hyperbole. It came out in my early 20s, when I was raising two girls age 4 and 5 - completely alone, impoverished but working and going to community college - frightened, grieving, and obviously exhausted…always exhausted. But on Sundays we would put this album on (a gift - and the only “real” album we owned) and dance around the house picking up toys, washing dishes, and generally conga line frolicking all over our small apartment. It was - and still is - our song. I will be forever grateful to Paul Simon for bringing joy to a time that might otherwise have broken me.

[@ahill4642]

oh wow, beautiful glimpse into your life with your kids - sounds like they were lucky, rich kids to have you as their parent ☺️ I swear I can picture that happy conga line.

[@pickleballer1729]

I hear you, brother. Paul's music was the soundtrack of my life, starting when a friend introduced me to him in 1966 with "Sounds of Silence". I love Graceland, but The Rhythm of the Saints is my favorite album of all time. I still listen to his music every day.

[@LouisWritingSomethingCrazy]

That is a fantastic story

[@hendrikdebruin4012]

A lesson to young people. My wife had our one and only son when I was 30 and my life was set to be able to provide for him.

[@Frankmaui67]

I love this story. Brought tears to my eyes

[@maureenmackellar7604]

I took my mom to the Graceland show. We had floor seats, and Mom was dancing in the aisle ( she would have been 53 at the time). Security came along and made her sit down. Miss you, Mom

[@AaronCurtright]

Your mom sounds pretty cool.

[@isabelgaynor2589]

It's priceless to have such a wonderful memory of your Mom.

[@user-lh3dq4zt7u]

Listening to some of the clips brought back old memories. Thank you

[@pcoleman1971]

I went to Simon's Graceland concert in 86-87. It wasn't just a Paul Simon concert, but a festival of South African music. Simon would leave the stage at various parts, and allow the artists to shine with their own songs. It remains the best concert I've ever been to. How many people can claim their best concert experience was with their mom?

[@D-Fens_1632]

Maybe one of those mythical babies born at Woodstock? I don't know if that ever happened but Woodstock was overrated anyway. Most of the music was middling with bands playing tired and limited to short sets, and the conditions were third world. Not to knock its historical significance, but musically I say overrated, with a few exceptions.

[@pcoleman1971]

@D-Fens_1632 I tend to agree that Woodstock was over-rated. It is a generational thing. For significance, I care more about Live Aid. Musically, you can say the same as Woodstock, there was a mix of great and weak sets. Yet, it revolutionized broadcasting, and the music industry. Moreover, there were so many major artists at Live Aid, compared to Woodstock. The sad part is there were many others, Paul Simon included, who were turned off participating by the US-side promoter, Bill Graham.

[@stevewilley1367]

Not me! Props to Mom!!!

[@teleiosdawyz4044]

I have to claim the best concert experience I ever had was John Denver l attended with my Dad. But, when you live in Toledo Ohio the encore is always special.

[@Jacqueline_Thijsen]

I went there as well when he touched down in the Netherlands. Same awesome experience, except my mom wasn't there 😂

[@petej.kingmusicianwriterpo2776]

My parents names are Betty & Al. My father passed a little over 2 years ago but they always considered this their song.

[@bill6171]

Mine were too, always loved that song

[@sirdaveo]

Anyone who writes "a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" knows people better than they know themselves and knows how to write.

[@tedsilversyeager840]

Yep, it happens everyday, and will continue.....

[@oldcougar65]

The first time I heard that line, in a bar after a final exam, I realized I was listening to the greatest song I'd ever heard. Still feel that way several decades later.

[@therealnotanerd_account2]

Paul Simon always had a "old man's soul", lyrically speaking. Things he wrote when he was in this 20's only made sense to me when reached my 40's. The amount of knowledge the had about life and about growing old when he was still (almost) a teenager is haunting.

[@ahill4642]

The Boxer is *such a good song, omg I love it* …

[@mastpg]

Don't forget "We don't see things the way they are. We see things the way we are."

[@cathyshaw-kalloo237]

i was a HUGE Ladysmith Black Mombazo fan, and African music in general... i ADORED Paul Simon's collab with them and also went to the Graceland show... an outdoor afternoon stadium show in Philly, it was AWE.SOME. full of joy and beautiful rhythms....

[@jennybates]

Diamonds on the soles of their shoes is a BIG fave of mine.

[@allthings2allmen]

@@jennybates me too!

[@cosmicinsane516]

They came to my college back in 1999 or so, put on a great show!

[@GnocchiTV]

I don’t know who underrates Paul Simon as a songwriter. He’s widely considered one of the best of the late 20th century. Love the channel!

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

There are whole swaths of people who never venture out of their currently popular genres. Sad. For many people now, this is the only Paul Simon song they know! I grew up on crossover popular AM radio in the ‘60s-early ‘70s and knew about Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, Bridge…..etc. Also much of his great solo work: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Me and Julio, Love Me like a Rock, Slip Slidin’ Away, and more! When I was 15, one of my original records I got was Best of Simon and Garfunkel! Not a bad song on it! And many that I had heard before, but didn’t know they did it!

[@Au60schild]

Paul Simon weighs in amongst the top of the list of songwriters, IMHO. Certainly on the dean's list of '60s and early '70s song smiths.

[@madbrowniac7871]

Speaking of cultural Crossovers Paul Simon's backing Vocalists on "Slip Slidin Away" were The Oak Ridge Boys. They were at the time and still a Country & Western Group with origins traced as a Gospel Quartet in The 1930s.🤔🎤🎼🎶🎸🎹🥁📻B.W.

[@madbrowniac7871]

And Paul Simon himself was part of the Cast of Woody Allen's Masterpiece "Annie Hall."🤔😉🎤🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🥁🎥B.W.

[@davidstevenson6817]

One of the very best

[@Jake_DapperInsideJoke_Nelson]

Dude, Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes? No, this whole album is PURE genius!

[@hotrodandrube9119]

Great song.

[@littlecatfeet9064]

This album is a gem. Every song is brilliant and I’ve never gotten sick of it. It also introduced me to Southern African music, starting with Ladysmith Black Mambazo who appeared on Homeless and who I’ve seen live twice. Cultural boycotts don’t work for bridging gaps between cultures and people.

[@bassettmomma8398]

I totally agree with this. I think Paul Simon did more to bring attention to what was going on in South Africa with this album then any boycott ever did. We actually got to hear and fall in love with a sound of another culture. The human side of South Africa. Not just war torn images that we could turn off if too disturbing. It’s a great album.

[@geoffkeen5234]

Same. Got into them in a big way, and saw them live when they played in Sydney. So vibrant!

[@GloriaGraceRand]

I agree. Love every track, Graceland... Diamonds on the soles of her shoes... so many great songs. I still play the CD to this day.

[@TheFlutecart]

A very Bob Marely approach to the political aspect. We don't want to politic, we want to play music together. Everything else comes after that. Love and Truth.

[@nannerl6243]

Well actually Mick Fleetwood did it first with the album “The Visitor”, but sadly that great album was not a big hit.

[@williamray7211]

Paul Simon played this song twice in a row when i saw him live in the late 80's or early 90's. Only performer I've ever seen do that. The crowd loved it!

[@theplanetruth]

Chevy came out during the concert I went to.

[@juliepreston3088]

He did that when we saw him early 90’s. It was such a great show

[@williamray7211]

wow, sounds like fun. did he lip sync?@@theplanetruth

[@chipgaasche4933]

Elvis Presley did it in the mid-70's with "Hurt".

[@janebolandjaneb9065]

me too - played it twice and Chevy came out - gig in LA​@theubercaste

[@kpsa7108]

At 6 years old, that video resonated with me and I loved it then. At 44 I still listen to it regularly, got home the other day to my 17 year old son in the bathroom, taking a shower, with Call me Al full blast. He was singing at the top of his lungs. Proud dad moment.

[@samsalamander8147]

My Daughter is 17 and was listening to Joni Mitchell’s “Both sides now” I was proud. I didn’t discover that song until I was 30 and the first time I hear it it made me cry and I listened to it a lot around that time so she remembered it from when she was little and she loved it.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

Graceland was the soundtrack of our family’s life in the 80s. We loved it and learned so much about South African music and musicians.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Without a doubt, Paul Simon is one of the top songwriters of all time.

[@SY-ok2dq]

Simon was doubly blessed by the gods. He combines the talents of being a great writer of music, with being a great lyricist, to produce some of the finest, most memorable, deep, moving, and poetic songs in popular music. And to top it off, he's also a wonderful interpreter of that musical poetry, on songs like The Boxer, Mrs. Robinson, America etc. And in Art Garfunkel he had the perfect counterpoint voice, and a sublime voice to interpret Simon's words and lyrics on songs like "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"~

[@TheToledoTrumpton]

@@SY-ok2dq Yeah, I'm not sure how he can be considered an "Underrated Lyricist" here, maybe in some circles but I don't think anyone from the Boomer or GenX generations would flinch if you put him in a top 10.

[@ahill4642]

Poet extraordinaire.

[@JoshRichardsonisanactor]

This was one of the first CD's I ever bought as a teenager. "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "Graceland", "Under African Skies", "Crazy Love, Vol. II"... So many great tracks!!

[@daveburns3886]

Great vocal by Linda ronstadt on under African skies, I believe only non- South African besides Paul on album.. he knew only she could do it right- 2 giants/ talents.. Paul recorded all of the music with the musicians and only then did he mix it and come up with the incredible lyrics

[@harrisgoodman1564]

@@daveburns3886I agree that Linda Ronstadt’s performance on “Under African Skies” was perfect. But some years ago, I bought a 3-disc set called “Paul Simon: The Collection.” One of the CD’s included selections from one of the concerts he did in South Africa. Performing with him on “Under African Skies” was the legendary Miriam Makeba. She really made the song her own, even changing the line “take this child from Tucson, Arizona” (Linda’s hometown) to “take this child from the township of Mofolo” (Miriam’s hometown.) She also does some incredible vocal percussion near the end of the song. Amazing performance!

[@ia5662]

True story: I got to play this song with Bakithi Kumalo and do a random improv jam too at my father-in-law's studio. He lives locally and was repping a video shoot for Phil Jones bass amps who my FIL reps. He's such a humble dude and was not at all bothered by my request to jam this song. My friends and I have been talking about his bass playing for years and to actually play with someone of his stratum with that truly original and creative nature was an honor. I have a video of the whole thing that I never posted - I just didn't want to hock it and felt it was way cooler to keep it to myself as a really beautiful memory. Thanks Bakithi!

[@the_katman2181]

He's amazing on this album. Boy in the Bubble has such a great bass part.

[@rebeccapaul6455]

What a great story. I saw Paul in Austin on his Graceland tour. Dear Lord, we ROCKED the balcony during Call Me Al. I have to think he was impressed because he played it again...back to back!! Had the balcony collapsed I think I would have died happy.

[@himay333]

I think initially I liked the video more than the song being such a huge fan of Chevy Chase. However, this song is timeless and every time it comes on i turn it up and sing along. A true masterpiece.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Chevy Chase was a great comedian.

[@talbotdarren]

I remember hearing this album for the first time in 1987. I was living in Taiwan as a 20 year old young man and I was absolutely mesmerized by the harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the songs Homeless and Diamonds On the Souls of Her Shoes. I lived this album from the very first listen. Paul called Graceland the best song he's ever written, now that's saying something.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They’re such a great choir!

[@mariaeddycesario3067]

Homeless is a piece of art. Just human voices - not a single thing more. Ah, yes, the feeling. Homeless, homeless, moonlight sleeping in the midnight lake. Timeless.

[@greenbeagle13]

There is no other like Paul Simon - he is the absolute MASTER songwriter and composer... He never needed a "cause" like many of the 1960's musicians needed. He is the absolute best. So thankful I was part of his generation. None can match him - NONE.

[@davedixon2167]

Hey Prof! This is Dave from The Bass Channel - absolutely love your channel, and of course this song. Couple years ago I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Bakhiti Kumalo; we and a couple other musos hung out a bit and had dinner, and Bakhiti told us the story of Paul in South Africa recruiting him to be his bassist. What a guy; I'm basically a total nobody and yet Bakhiti made me feel like he was as honored to meet me as I was to meet him.

[@grumpyoldlady_rants]

I knew every word to every song on Bridge I played it so much. I probably still remember all the lyrics. I’ve been a huge fan from the beginning. Paul is an incredible songwriter.

[@dennisbishop3016]

There's no question that Paul Simon is an American treasure. A versatile and brilliant song writer and lyricist, his material gives latitude to the listener to identify with the music regardless of his point of view. For my money, he must be in the top 5 song writers in his genre.

[@billstevens8553]

I had the privilege of attending 2 Simon and Garfunkel concerts in the 60s in Winnipeg, Canada. They were brilliant!

[@marchenning5037]

Absolutely enjoyed that episode as a born raised and still living in South Africa it's great to hear South African musicians being brought into the light. I remember being a teen when this came out. South African music always brings a smile to your face when it's on the charts. Who can forget the chants on art of noises yebo in 1989. And when your childhood south african guitar hero from a little band called rabbitt in the 70s goes off to play with Manfred Mann and eventually inducted into the hall of fame with Yes. Yup that Trevor Rabin. And the new and upcomings. Jessie Clegg Die antwoord and Jeremy Loops just to name a few.... Perhaps worthwhile doing a special on South African music.

[@JDAfrica]

Sound of Silence has become the South African anthem. ... “hello darkness my old friend”.

[@mitchellbaker9434]

I read Simon's bio. He was one of the greatest songwriters ever because every waking hour he was looking for things to write songs about. During one dry spell, he happened to be eating at a Chinese restaurant, checked the menu, and focused on a particular dish of chicken and eggs, named (sensibly enough, if you think of it) Mother and Child Reunion. Of course, that became a great reggae hit and for me, one of his best.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Mother and Child Reunion is a Chinese dish? I have to look it up right now!

[@mitchellbaker9434]

So ,what did you find? Chicken (mother) and eggs (child).@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

[@ocdtechtalk]

LOL I never put that together.

[@henryhenrison7122]

That's Hilarious

[@Dunlappin]

Oh you've ruined it for me! Everytime I hear this song I think of my eventual reunion with my estranged daughter. Now I think of chicken Egg Foo Yung? Great.

[@user-og1rv6sr8e]

One of my dads favorite albums. It's so joyful and unique. Paul Simon is a genius.

[@MarisaP1978]

I remember the music video " You Can Call Me Al " from my childhood on MTV. It still makes me laugh today. I can even still do the little dance that they do lol The song itself is an instant mood lifter. Another song you should cover is " Don't Worry, Be Happy " by Bobby McFarin. Another good one from the 80's, a really great video and song.

[@DisenchantedElleJay]

Those two songs/videos are standouts to me too, specifically when I’d go walking around the mall with my grandma before the stores opened. I remember specifically sitting in the cafeteria, waiting for her and her friend Dot, to make another loop, and these two videos came on. I don’t think it was mtv, but it could have been. I was in elementary school but always way ahead of my years. I remember thinking that those were special songs/videos because they had such uplifting lyrics, special musical instruments and sounds, and simple life messages. Even by the the mid to late 80s, the music was changing from love to lust, now it’s straight up hardcore porn. I long for my childhood and the days of Whitney Houston and “ I wanna dance with somebody”.

[@ChyarasKiss]

Same! I was about 10 when it came out. I still remember both of those songs.

[@RickGraziano]

Side note, Bobby's daughter, Madison McFarine is an incredible songwriter and singer who has her dad's phenomenal ability to use different types of vocalizations to make some really incredible, sultry, soulful music.

[@llamasugar5478]

I play it for some of the higher-functioning students that I work with; they are delighted by the dance, and the-er, _height discrepancy_ between Paul and Chevy.

[@MarisaP1978]

@@llamasugar5478 Now that is awesome!!!!

[@mt0115]

Paul Simon has had so many great songs and albums. Graceland is timeless.😎🍺

[@eleniprovia7667]

Every time I listen to You can call me Al, I am in a good mood. It’s just an incredible, clever, funky 80s classic! I love Paul’s “The rhythm of the saints” album. An overlooked masterpiece!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s one of those songs that cheers one up when one feels down.

[@NekoMouser]

Yep. Instant picker-upper.

[@alanmjohnson]

The Obvious Child was such a great, catchy tune. The rest of the album was genius too, but quite a bit more understated and less accessible, which kept it from reaching the fame of Graceland. But it was every bit the masterpiece that Graceland was.

[@aliquotidian]

Oh yes. The better album imo. Still high on the play list.

[@RC32Smiths01]

You can always count on Paul Simon making musical history with each of his songs, even if it stirred the pot in ways more than one. Easily one of the most important and unique songwriters to emerge.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. What were your favorite tracks from Graceland? Curious to get your take RC32.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Legendary songwriter for sure. I agree with that, RC32.

[@edryba4867]

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: Record Companies have NO IDEA WHAT THEY’RE DOING! When recorded music is obviously great, ANYONE who hears it knows it’s great! Everyone, that is, EXCEPT THE RECORD COMPANY! “Graceland” is one of literally thousands of cases in point. Sure, there are some rhythms and chord changes that aren’t quite what Western ears were used to. Some of them, at first, may have sounded a bit alien to Western ears, but if you give those “oddities” a chance, they grow on you, to the point where you wonder why they ever sounded a little strange in the first place. That album is filled with terrific songs, and they can broaden your musical horizons. They make one simple point which a lot of people don’t seem to realize: MUSIC IS MUSIC! PERIOD! It was brave of Simon to make that album, given the political climate on the African continent. But the music on that album is wonderful! Oh, and there’s one other thing. If you wear diamonds on the soles of your shoes, don’t get caught walking across a hardwood basketball court!

[@glauvie]

⁠@@ProfessorofRockDiamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. I had 4 poor hardworking big farm boy brothers. Any girl they managed to bring around seemed so fancy. They weren’t; anyone was fancy next to us. And of course Under African Skies. That Was Your Mother woke me up to Zydeco and Clifton Chenier; I’ll always be thankful for that.

[@kellyhacker969]

Graceland was one of my grandma’s favorite albums! I grew up listening to it and my mom and I love it as much as my grandma did.

[@dobiebloke9311]

Prof - I met Paul Simon twice in 72, once in 75 and then again in 86, 87, 88 and 89. He was the same as his public persona, a very kind, upfront guy, who was just fun to hang with. During the 80s meetings, I was a photographer, and he was the talent I was assigned to shoot, each stint being for about 3-4 hours, enough time to get to know him a little bit. What you see, is what you get. I often wondered about the backstory of You Can Call Me Al. The story you told was very representative of the dry witted, playful soul I (slightly) knew him to be. I met Art Garfunkel once, around 76, for about one minute. He was so full of himself unpleasant, that the one minute was too long to be around him. Go figure. No wonder they split up.

[@ricktheexplorer]

I saw the Simon & Garfunkel reunion tour a few years back. Best concert I ever saw. The music, the laser show; the last song was Bridge Over Troubled Water, encore was Cecelia. They brought the lights down and did the psychedelic laser show for Scarborough Fair. Before this; the best concert I ever saw was every Pink Floyd concert I ever saw. Nothing could compete with the Simon & Garfunkel concert; just, nobody has those songs, those voices, that talent.

[@Paradox427]

You are spot on with your praise of Paul Simon's lyricism! The title track on this album has one of my favorite opening lines to any song: "The Mississippi delta was shining like a National guitar..." Beautiful and evocative. All the musicianship on display on the Graceland album is just amazing. Every time I listen, Bakithi Kumalo's bass work blows me away.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That opening line puts a smile on my face.

[@lindamcfarland9656]

Like a lot of great musicians and groups there's so much to say about about Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Paul Simon's songs have always been both beautiful and fun. You can always count on him to mix it up, and yet it was still always recognizably Paul Simon in execution. And You Can Call Me Al was one of our favorite videos!😆

[@aliquotidian]

What is there to say about Garfunkel? He had a good voice. Simon provided everything else.

[@sylviaross5722]

My mother bought "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in either 1970 or 1971. I played that album over & over. Used to know the lyrics to every song on it. What a great album. I'm sure that my mother, a high school business teacher, learned about popular bands & music from her students. I remember I once had a dog I named Jethro. When I told her Jethro's name, she automatically said: "Jethro Tull"? I was so surprised she had heard of this progressive rock band & one of my favorites. I said: "No, Jethro Bodine", from "The Beverly Hillbillies" - LOL. I also used to have a dog named Miss Jane.🤣😂😂

[@Geezer-yf8hv]

Sweet! Always loved the Hillbillies!!😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@TesterAnimal1]

More likely she was referring to English agriculturalist Jethro Tull, inventor of the horse drawn seed drill. No doubt Ian Anderson had that character in mind when naming his band.

[@billstevens8553]

Wow, those are references to my life! Thank you!

[@deeh5126]

"You can call me Al" was such a massive part of my childhood! Many road trips were had, with my mom putting in the cassette version of Graceland. It makes me feel like a little kid every time I hear it, and now I have thrust it upon my children's childhood.

[@ahill4642]

So interesting… I’m a mom and I got both my kids into Simon & Garfunkel during a road trip. I remember putting the CD on and quietly observing them fall in love with them. Timeless music, obviously, and just so damn good. ☺️

[@stephenhanft1226]

I was always a fan of Paul Simon since the days that he paired with Art Garfunkel to form one of the greatest duos of the rock era. As a solo artist, Paul kept on recording a lot of great music exploring different sounds and pushing the creative envelope. The Graceland Album is one of his crowning achievements winning the 1986 Album Of The Year at the Grammy's. I've always enjoyed the song "You Can Call Me Al". It is one of the most unique hit songs of the 80's with one of the most memorable videos. I never knew the story behind the inspiration of creating this song. Now I know and am glad this song was featured for an episode.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s a bad mood killer and Chevy Chase in the video is one of the 80s’ finest moments.

[@bartbluemusic]

As unorthodox as it was for a Pop singer, "Graceland" is one of my all-time favorite albums. It got a TON of play and I wore it out (as I first had it on cassette tape). I had to buy a new copy, which I was more than happy to do since it was so good. Until this album came out, Paul Simon was always one of those artists that my parents liked. But, when I got my hands on "Graceland", that is when he became one of my favorites too. "You Can Call Me Al" was an instant classic. Love it still.

[@RBS_]

...The Album also helped usher in the "CD" generation, so it was important to HEAR the clean, rhythms & sounds....It got a SERIOUS 'push' to be owned on CD....Good Ol' Days, 'eh!???

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's such a classic. Thanks for watching!

[@Whatchamawhozit]

@@RBS_ yep, I had the CD, it was the first one to be mastered as ADD while most were AAD, but the clarity of CD was amazing. My parents had an amazing HiFi Stereo in the house and I used to pop this disc into the CD player when I was home alone... My mom loved the song, asked me to record to cassette for her to listen to in her car. This is one of the first CD's I had ever purchased and continued to purchase CD's until 2002 when the last CD I had ever bought was Eminem's The Eminem Show, by that point I didn't feel the need to buy CD"s as I had amassed close to 10k, and I was retiring as a DJ after severe hearing damage at age 31. After a 5 yr hiatus on listening to any loud music or attending concerts I was able to revisit my collection and give it all a relisten and I digitized the whole collection to a 100gb Hard Drive in 320kbps MP3, which I still have the entire collection to this day as MP3's then I sold the collection to buy my first house using the proceeds as a downpayment. WHile I have listened to music produced after 2002, I felt no need to buy the physical discs... I would just download the MP3 to add to the collection... Thankfully so as the vehicles I own today do not have CD players in them... last car I owned with a factory installed CD player was a 2013 Mustang GT Boss 302... everything today I just play off a USB stick or SD card full of tunes. But this Album will always have a special place in my heart. Even today when 80's on 8 plays You Can Call Me All, hearing issues be damned I crank up the car stereo and blast it.

[@RBS_]

@@Whatchamawhozit ....WHOA!! .....That, is my DREAM! .....sellin' off this collection O' mine, and getting a damn HOUSE! ....I got up to 5-6k CD's but, I've yet to digitize....it's comin' though....Thanks for this Info!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It’s sooooo great, isn’t it?

[@MMKMoore1]

I love Graceland! The African rhythms and vocals added a magical touch. I wore out my tape until the CD came out.

[@joannfalcon6797]

I was in 9 th grade and my English teacher loved Simon and Garfunkel! The lyrics were used in our class for teaching poetry. I definitely came to love the songs with both Paul and Simon. But this song "Call me Al" has an amazing beat! It makes me groove and move 🎉like a party in song. It so exciting to know what the lyrics are all about. Making me love this song even more! Thank you for increasing my appreciation for Paul and this song!

[@ahill4642]

Interesting, my grade 7 music teacher loved them! She had her work cut out trying to teach us Sound of Silence for a school concert… cuz all the boys’ voices were cracking and changing 😂 so she made us play it on the recorder instead. 🪈 🎶

[@briansnow9865]

Love this song and the album. Picking his friend Chevy to help him make the video was genius... or luck. At that time Chevy Chase was at his peak. SOOO funny. Christmas Vacation is a yearly watch for our family.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same here! Brian, do you have any requests for the future.

[@BillMcGirr]

Absolutely… The Vacation movie’s only get funnier with time… Even though I’ve seen them dozens of times. Chevy was also great in the first Caddyshack. His understated dead pan is perfect.🤣👍🥃

[@briansnow9865]

​@@ProfessorofRock There was not a lot of music from the 90s that I really loved, but how about... Banditos by The Refreshments My kids and I love that song. In addition to that... anything by Van Halen or Rush that you have not touched on already.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

National Lampoon’s Vacation is a classic as well.

[@cjcrrazy]

I was about 7 at the time having seen Vacation, Fletch, Spies like us.. Saw the film clip and thought who’s that little guy in Chevy’s song !

[@trinaq]

Yes, the music video and bouncy melody instantly make this song a timeless classic. I never even realised that it was about an existential crisis until I listened closely to the lyrics.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. So good.

[@RBS_]

.....Oh YEAH it was the Video that nailed it....I remember it being out for MONTHS, then when the Video came out, it started inchin' again, in 1987....Chevy Chase, who KNEW!?? ...ha-HAAA!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The video always makes me laugh.

[@ahill4642]

I really love how so many of us were introduced to S&G/Paul Simon by our parents… and now we’re getting our kids hooked on them, too. ☺️ Timeless, beautiful music.

[@johnsnell1929]

Thank you so much for the story behind this! I always loved You Can Call Me Al and the Chevy Chase video with it. My first exposure to Simon & Garfunkle was their Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme album of my Mom's - and I've enjoyed Paul Simon ever since!

[@nothanks3236]

Fun fact: Chevy Chase played in a college band with Don Fagan and Walter Becker who would later form Steely Dan.

[@dianarockwell6256]

If you liked their rendition of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, you should search KZbin for the version with Andy Williams. They performed on his show and it was out standing. I’m getting chills, just talking about it, it was that good. There was also an accident, one of the foreign voice series I don’t know if it was Australia, but it was an English-speaking version. A little redheaded girl, singing with a guitar blew everybody’s minds with this song and she even forgot the lyrics halfway through because she got four chairs turned, and they all said it doesn’t matter make the words up, they loved her so much.

[@johnsnell1929]

@@dianarockwell6256 Thank you, Diana, for the tip - I will have to look those up!

[@climbybimby]

My Dad was always a fan of Paul Simon. We played this album practicalky non-stop when it came out. We loved to dance to all the intricate and colorful rythmns on all of Paul's albums. Thank you for this wonderful trip down memory lane!!❤

[@Krullmatic]

One of the best bass lines ever! When I watched the video, or heard it on the radio, I couldn't wait for that part! This is a phenomenal song! I've always loved to hear Paul sing. Rock on Prof, and God Bless to you and your family!🙏❤️❤️🙏❤️🎸🤟😝🤟

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Always a fun song. Rock on 🤘

[@sylviaross5722]

@Krullmatic It was, wasn't it. AMAZING!

[@DW3010]

I actually got the Graceland album to fill in space on one of those 12 tapes for one cent deals. I knew the song call me Al, so I figured why not? But wow, I fell in love with the album on the first hearing. It’s still one of my favorite albums to this day, and one that I play on car trips.

[@Nicksonian]

BRILLIANT video. Never should have been any controversy. Graceland is a truly great album and I still remember being blown away the first time I heard it on the radio. Paul Simon is a musical chameleon in the best sense, rather like Billy Joel. Not for a minute did I understand the concept of boycotting working with South African’s great black musicians in the name of fighting apartheid.

[@JohnRotonto-ql9ds]

Great song with a killer bass solo. Having Chevy Chase in the video was icing on the cake!! 👍👍🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@WTFNoNamesLeft2]

The lyrics are so great. The best. "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 in your heart Well, everybody sees you're blown apart Everybody feels the wind blow"

[@ahill4642]

😍

[@patriciamcvey9828]

I could listen to this album over and over without getting tired of it. The lyrical cleverness is throughout the whole album, the harmonies with the African artists were beautiful and so fun to dance to and singalong to as well. The songs needing a mention ,Diamonds on the soles of her shoes, Under African skies, Homeless (so haunting) and the Myth of fingerprints. Love them Al (misspelling intended)

[@bicyclist2]

I love this album, and the song "You Can Call Me Al". I had this album on cassette tape in the 80's and then CD. I love Paul Simon's unique style. When I was a kid, I had the impression that he was for a older generation, because the adults in the 80's only knew him as one half of the duo. But once Graceland came out, he greatly endeared himself to our generation. The music video is hilarious. Graceland is a timeless classic, that still reminds me of my youth. I was introduced to Paul Simon in the 80's when I was at a Maine Christian summer camp, by a counciler. Thank you.

[@georgemathie8123]

Graceland was massive and was such a refreshingly different album from that great year in music 1986 and still sounds awesome today in 2023

[@tommunyon2874]

So wonderful to take these guided tours to the past. I just returned my partner's ashes to our hometown for burial, the town from which we graduated high school in 1969, and it is heartwarming to hear the music from our school days, but even better to hear music from the days of our early careers. "Graceland" cd gets more play than any other in my house. I dance myself breathless to this album.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So sorry for your loss. Be well Tom.

[@user-vk7cp1op9p]

You speak the full on truth with Paul. Love of his music from his beginnings, never grows old or wanes. He still, even yet, quickens the heart. And my first love,

[@ahill4642]

you have fabulous taste ☺️

[@sagrammyfour]

I'm old, 77, but music is a huge part of my life. I've always got music playing outloud or in my head. Beethoven's Violin Concerto is the greatest piece of music ever written--When I heard it on mica radio, I actually had to pull off the rod to hear it, and tears ran down my face. But I also love Coldplay, Maroon 5, AC/DC, Elvis, Leadbelly, Candy Dulfer, Billie Holiday, and ABBA. I love old hymns, Mozart's Requiem and contemporary Christian music. But nobody wants to talk about or share thoughts and feelings about music. So, when I find someone who embraces and wants to share so many aspects ABOUT music, in addition to the music itself, I am ecstatic. Thanks. SUBSCRIBED.

[@kwilliams1958]

Graceland...the title is so metaphorical and symbolic in the physical and spiritual life of a man and the life of humanity, This album is so rich in its message, tone, and tenor. I think I will pull out the CD today and listen to it in its entirety. This is a timely message for humanity still today, Professor...keep 'em coming.

[@PaulDamonThomas]

My parents also played the hell out of this album. The video for this song is absolutely one of the greatest and funniest music videos of all time. It shows off both Simon's and Chase's unique talents (can people, today, relate to what made Chevy so amazing? I call it being the smoothest and most suave clutz - all at the same time - such a unique charisma!). Legendary video. And a geat song. I never looked into the story behind it, even though I wondered for all these years. Thanks for the video!

[@thedrivechannel83]

1st time I heard this album I was in my dad's bosses car. He was a Brit and drove a British racing green Jag. I would occasionally do yard work for him and he was driving me home that day. The car and the music made such an impact on me I bought the Graceland album that same week. Almost 40 years later, Graceland is in the CD player of my 2 seat Jag...The song Boy in the Bubble is so brilliant and so contemporary in it's message it could have been written yesterday. And the way it jumps right to Graceland... genius!

[@charlescollier9591]

Paul Simon's music always, always makes me smile. Who could ask for more?

[@ahill4642]

I’ve shed a few tears while listening to Simon & Garfunkel in the past, but these days all their music has morphed into something incredibly joyful. Singing their songs - AND Paul’s solo stuff - brings me so much joy. Timeless, beautiful music we are so lucky to have.

[@HastyChester]

That is a heck of an album. I really like to mix huge quantities of my favorite songs for long listening, but this is one of the albums that I love to listen to beginning to end. No shuffles, no mix, no skips.

[@danielkerryann]

Graceland is one of my all time great album choices, this and The Seeds of Love. I know all the words, having grown up with it. I was 9 years old when it came out, and my dad played it all the time. I always loved the fact that Crazy Love Vol. 2 referred to his second marriage (to Carrie) rather than the second volume of the song. I was at the 2012 concert in Hyde Park (available on Blu-Ray etc), London, where he performed the entire Graceland Album. The rest of the festival had been a wash out, but on that evening the sun came out and the warm summer sunset illuminated the 800,000 strong crowd. It was a special day, and the perfect evening for Graceland and the Artists that made it great. Thank you Paul!

[@KevinScherrer]

I fell head over heels for this record. It was one of the first CDs I bought when they were still pretty rare. I was trying to date this girl and when You Can Call Me Al came on her car radio she changed the station. I asked her why she did that and she said she hated Paul Simon. I could not believe anyone could hate that music. We didn’t see much of each other after that night. I think she was put off that I could be so amazed that someone would not like music I was crazy about and I really didn’t think I can trust someone with such atrocious tastes in music.

[@crazedvole]

I cannot think of anything that might feel better than being a musician on stage and having the audience sing along when you do your music. The live version of Tom Petty's "Breakdown" one of the times I imagine how it would feel to be up there and know that something you put your heart and mind into affected so many people in a positive way that they listened to it and took the time to learn it because they thought that something *you* did was worth the effort to learn.

[@psycherevival2762]

I think about this exact same thing - what an amazing feeling that would be!

[@bishdizzle67]

Absolutely one of the best composers of our era. I love the harmonies of S & G and I really love the solo work of Paul Simon. Paul should do a tour with Paul!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I second your comment! Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I agree, Mark.

[@craigdawson7564]

One of the greatest albums ever made and this is from a metal-head! I just love it to bits

[@SRG558]

I fell in love with the album Graceland the first time I heard it. I was always a Simon & Garfunkel fan, beginning during my 6th grade year of 1966-67. Our teacher, Mr. Bird, had a small stack of 45's that he allowed us to play in the classroom on rainy days when we couldn't go out for recess. My favorite was "I am a Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel. In early 1970, on the way to early morning seminary class, (yes, I'm a Mormon boy) Bridge Over Troubled Water came on the radio and I was blown away! I usually slept through seminary but that morning I was wide awake because the song was all I could think about and couldn't wait to hear it again. I bought the album the very next weekend! I'll always love the album Graceland and especially the video of "Call Me Al" with Paul Simon and Chevy Chase. Thanks Adam for bringing this amazing song back into our thoughts!

[@ahill4642]

Nice! Mr. Bird sounds like an incredibly cool teacher. ☺️

[@tjzambonischwartz]

This has been my favorite album pretty much all my life. It's an absolute masterpiece.

[@always_b_natural703]

Music executives only want to repeat what has been done before. Art moves forward, and pushed the boundaries.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right. Sad but right.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That is very true.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

Is that why he got so much air play because he pushed the boundaries? And what songs did he produce that pushed the boundaries?

[@johnshields6852]

10 in 1970 I was huge rock fan, Zep, Floyd, Sabbath, stones, who, but the sounds of silence I still listen to everyday 53 yrs later.

[@ahill4642]

Truly timeless and incredibly beautiful.

[@macmcgee5116]

I had a friend in college a couple of years after this song came out. I loved the song. We had been friends for a while and then she started dating a guy named Al. One day we were talking and when we said our goodbyes she said "bye Al". I laughed for a second then said "Bye Betty". I called her Betty for a while after that. She laughed every time.

[@Historian212]

Perfect album of the 80s: several. I’d go with either Graceland, Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time (1989), or Steve Winwood’s Back in the High Life (1986). Honorable mention: Cyndi Lauper’s She’s So Unusual (1983).

[@ahill4642]

There was so much good music in the 80s. Great time to be a teenager.

[@catherine6653]

I ❤ the Graceland album. I have been a Paul Simon fan since I was little. It started with 50 Ways. ( I thought my last name was in the song- Stan & Lee) The story behind this album is amazing. It definitely deserves to be in the Library of Congress as being historically significant. Call Me All is a fun opening track.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Catherine!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Make a new plan, Stan. Just drop off the key, Lee.

[@catherine6653]

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yes, those are the lyrics.😊 I remember you telling me you wanted Adam to cover Call Me Al. Today is your day. 🎉

[@stingfan16ify]

Paul Simon is one of my five favorite artists of all time, and one of the best lyricists ever! He and Sting and Lennon/McCartney are as good as it gets for my money. Peter Gabriel and Springsteen are right there as well, at the top of the songwriters hall of fame.

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

You’ve left out some great bands/song writers, CSNY(as a group or soloists) YES, ELP, Queen, etc etc! I’ll think of many more as the evening progresses;) I was born in 1956, I remember when my brother bought Rubber Soul with his paper route money;) and took it to his buddies house to share and listen, and took his 5 YR younger brother along;) He was the finest man I’ve ever known in my 67 years, and still going even though he’s been gone for 5 years;( 50yr years ago when I had a high baritone tenor voice Paul was one of my favorite artists to sing, now my voice is too low, I just butcher them;)

[@rickjason215]

Dylan is by far the greatest lyricists of all time.

[@kevinmcconnell3641]

@@rickjason215 Ira Gershwin, Hal David, Bernie Taupin, Lennon and McCartney, CSNY as a group and individually, Brian Wilson, Neil Young, Nancy and Ann Wilson, etc etc etc! Your tastes are your tastes, and you are entitled to them and your opinion. But dismissing the dozens of other that wrote many great tunes, words and music, is foolishness!! There aren’t many GOATS, but to put one on top of all the others is just plain stupid!

[@greyholliday4784]

I’m glad your wife got you back into listening to this absolutely amazing album. The rhythms, the themes, the lyrics, all perfect on every song. As you point out, Paul has been a trendsetter in bringing world music to a North American audience. Graceland brought the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo to my attention leading me to buy one of their albums. And the same happened around the world for Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Their global sales rocketed up and they toured far outside of South Africa. So black South Africans did benefit from this album, which I like

[@CatServant]

My first full time job out of college was as an engineer at Boeing in Wichita, KS. My name is Alan and I worked on a team with another guy named Allen. Our lead engineer was a lady named Dana but Allen always called her Betty, the joke being that she could call us Al if we could call her Betty. Thanks for stirring that memory.

[@janhommer]

My mom has the album on tape, which means that I associate very early childhood memories with it, especially with the track I wouldn't find out until much later is called "Homeless" because that was for sure a kind of music I'd never heard before and I was absolutely fascinated by it...

[@gregrisley1050]

Love this album. In '86 in high school I bought my first CD player along with this album and Wang Chung 'Mosaic' as my first foray into CD's. I still listen to both often in my listening room. Great video. Thanks

[@ajwalker4416]

I've always agreed Paul Simon is one of the great lyrisicts of all time. His songs are so layered and filled with gems that hit you even after you've already heard the song dozens of times. My favorite of his is still "America" but he has many that I really like , but "America" speaks in a way no other song does.

[@shanewilson1345]

I was 16 in ‘86 and had been saving my money for one of Sony’s just released CD players. It cost me about $200 and my first CD - Graceland, was another $30-something. I had enough left over to buy a good set of headphones and I can’t tell you how perfect Graceland was for that experience. The deep drums, high whistles, complex vocals, all coming from both sides was phenomenal. It’s still one of my favorite albums.

[@AmaxMr]

Another one of my "play the entire album" purchases. I couldn't count the number of times I enjoyed every track. I'm sure many caught me singing along in the car or doing staccato pointing at the stereo during Al.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Thank you for such a deep dive into this song, and for including the musicians and other people who contributed.

[@scotthallinan4609]

One of my favorite Paul Simon songs. Have always loved the story of this song.

[@debbylou5729]

I saw this concert in Toronto. To just call it a ‘concert’ doesn’t describe everything that went on. The crowd just sat there like they were watching golf. Paul got really mad, took the mic and berated them. He said he’d never play there again. He did, eventually, but it was a few years. I was blown away. No one even clapped. Everyone firmly in their seats. I’m American and wondered if every concert was going to happen like that

[@ericbgordon1575]

Paul is easily one of my core influences as a musician and writer, both as a soloist and with Art. Much of what I do as a guitarist is rooted in Paul's picking style. (I also have a tendency to group Simon & Garfunkel with Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan as being legendary musicians born in 1941.) It's always fascinated me how his career went through so many peeks and crests and how the making of *Graceland* came at a moment when he frankly had nothing to lose. Well, he gained everything. Several years ago, I watched a video of Paul Simon on stage with Miriam Makeba performing the song positive regionally recorded with Linda Ronstadt, "Under African Skies". Her contribution to this live performance did much to retroactively reinforce the meaning of why Paul was in South Africa to begin with. It was about unification, not deepening any kind of divide.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

There’s also Joan Baez, the late Charlie Watts, the late Ritchie Valens, Eric Burdon, and Chubby Checker. Oh, and my grandma. 😆

[@ericbgordon1575]

Groovy, @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 . I also think Randy Newman was born in '41.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

@@ericbgordon1575 He was born in 1943, which is pretty close.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Thank you for the clarification, @@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980.

[@ahill4642]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 your grandma! ❤️

[@nadinerogers5653]

I am so glad you included a nod to Juluka! What a band! The music, the meaning. We lost a wonderful human when Johnny Clegg passed. Some of my favorite music.

[@philipethier9136]

I met a guy who had played on Blood on the Tracks, Gregg Inhofer. At the time he played keyboards in a top-40 cover band called The Fab Three. I noticed, and he confirmed, that the only time he had to look at his hands was when he was covering the Johnny Clegg song that was all over Twin Cities radio at the time.

[@ellisburton8733]

Oh bless, I didn't know Johnny Clegg had passed away - a friend took me to a concert of his - The best time I had at a concert everrrr. 😢

[@stevieray1507]

My first date with my wife of 30 yrs was at a Paul Simon Concert in Nashville, Rhythm of the Saints tour. When he played You can call me Al the crowd all stood up and danced, so at the end of the song, Paul twirled his finger in the air and played the entire song again while we continued to dance. We fell in love that night.

[@anthonyquinn3671]

I feel Paul Simon knew You cannot fight a war from your armchair, You have to go where the battles are, and in his own way he was fighting the War on apartheid, where it was happening. I respect the guy for taking the risk to go out to South Africa to record his Music in collaboration with Black musicians out there. He brought the problem into the lives of many more people than the Politicians and Governments ever could. If I was a religious person I would nominate him to become a Saint. God Bless the Guy!

[@davescryptodays1441]

There's albums that come along, every once in a while, when you know it's an instant classic - even in the first year of it's release. Graceland is one of them.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I agree Paul is one of the greatest lyrics writers ever. So many songs you can't help but sing along with. Didn't know they remade the video but I remember the controversy of his South Africa trip. I fell in love with this song when the girl I was dating out on a pair of cheap sunglasses and sang the words with wild facial expressions. I bought her a shell with her name on it but I had the wrong spelling of the name on it. She called to tell me she was getting married and I could call her Betty😂. Great times! Great episode professor give us more Paul!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My name isn’t Betty but this song is a classic in my eyes anyway.

[@karinwolf3645]

I think Paul Simon is an American treasure! It's insulting that anyone ever doubted him! 😏😆💋💖🌹😅🌵👵🐺

[@jeffsummstl]

There’s so much pure joy in this song. Exuberance even!

[@pgray5223]

My favorite song from the album is Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes. I really love to hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They were popular in South Africa.. Paul Simon helped make them internationally known with his album.

[@futuretimetraveller8677]

and they helped him looks like

[@gopherholehotel]

Thanks for a great episode ! It brought back lots of great memories for me . At the time I was trying to find and listen to more music from South Africa and had lots of Johnny Clegg and Juluka . So when Paul Simon's Graceland came out it was added to my vinyl collection. Your episode today has given me inspiration to get the album back out and have a listen again. Thanks again.

[@stevenvarner9806]

I experienced the same thing. I had picked up the Scatterlings album by Juluka after nearly every music critic in the Tucson weekly newspaper listed it in their top ten lists for the year. I bought all their subsequent US releases. So, I was really excited when Paul went to SA and featured African music on his album. I went to Africa myself from 1987-90 as a US Peace Corps volunteer (Kenya). In the 90s, as a member of the Johnny Clegg fan club group, I arranged to buy all of Juluka's South African releases through a member there. To this day, Juluka is still one of my most favorite groups.

[@gopherholehotel]

Thanks for the reply. Juluka music was a big influence for me on a trip I made to Africa 1993- London to Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania . I stayed for a few days in the American Peace Corps mission in Bangui C.A.R. - I had a friend from South Africa that gave me some tapes that were not available in Canada. Every time I hear Johnny Clegg singing it reminds me of my trip there .@@stevenvarner9806

[@dinwiddie69]

With the death of mtv and music in general I’m so excited that I found your channel. You bring music that I have forgotten about back to life such as this song and I love the in-depth stories that you provide. Thank you so much.

[@lessmith6848]

Graceland was my first Paul Simon album and I loved the fact he had the Everly Brothers singing background vocals on the song Graceland.

[@robster7316]

What more can you say about Paul Rhymin’ Simon! As great as he was a solo artist, still sentimentally attached to his Simon and Garfunkel days. Still spin their Bookends album occasionally-brings back fond memories! Thanks Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Robster! Thanks for watching. What should we cover from Paul next?

[@robster7316]

@@ProfessorofRock Me and Julio?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Bookends had a bunch of great songs on it.

[@williambenner701]

"Ryman Simon" is quite differently one of the greatest songwriters of pop music. Not only that Graceland was his best album, which is saying a lot! I grew up on Paul Simon's music! Great breakdown of this brilliant song, Adam!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Graceland is a sonic masterpiece

[@dbwright69]

as a guitar player , outside of Bob Marley, I was really ignorant of other beats, until Paul put out this album, I have to thank him for opening my eyes and my artistic journey.