Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens--American Tune live at Grammy Salute to Paul Simon

A minute and a half of Paul talking about interesting stuff, then a magnificent performance of American Tube with the wonderful Rhiannon Giddens.

[@Allen2saint]

Will never hear this song the same way again. Respect.

[@wimdonkers7448]

..."We didn't come here on the Mayflower, We came on a ship in a blood-red moon..". Thus made miss Giddens this a song for all who were involuntarily transported. Thank you miss Giddens.

[@angelmatos9143]

She's an example of how genius will overcome a noisy & crowded world.

[@jennifermarkens1882]

Rhiannon Giddens is the apex of American Music! Love her work, scholarship, and wisdom!

[@peterfischmandebohanlonmus8664]

I have loved this song for many years, but I think I heard it for the first time again here.

[@9gboivin]

This beautiful voice brought me to tears-thinking about how an African, an unwilling passenger on a decrepit and overcrowded vessel, would feel about having landed on American shores. Visit the waterfront of Annapolis, and read the stories of those first enslaved arrivals. Chances are, you will never see the history of our great, and conflicted, nation the same, ever again.

[@junebrilly5302]

Beautifully said. Thankyou❤

[@cindynichols27]

And there are people, at this moment, trying to deprive our children of that history in public schools. Horrible.

[@markweatherly6782]

Rhiannon’s peaceful, powerful performance reminded me of what a pure masterpiece Paul Simon created so many years ago. Beautiful.

[@mikespence03]

This song had me in tears. So beautiful and heartfelt.

[@robinleebraun7739]

I’ve heard this song a thousand times and sang it hundreds of times. But this performance actually made me cry.

[@senhorsee]

same

[@diggerdogadventures976]

Miss Giddens is a very underrated artist. She is a phenomenal artist who is a master class.

[@Lobishomem]

Brilliant. The song goes deep. . Great performance. Paul Simon will be played a hundred years from now.

[@cacciato69]

Old Vietnam veteran this song written near the end, atime of turmoil then A song apropos today's cultural divide, thanks to these two Americans expressing our anguish.

[@EchosLens]

Well said. Thank you for your service.

[@glenmacnicol7825]

I matured in the Vietnam era. It's images are burned into my memory as my brother, husband and relatives served, and some who died. It was a time of great anguish as Americans were shown what war really means. But to be truthful, I cannot recall a time in my lifetime when America didn't struggle with anguish. That can be the cost of Democracy and individualism. But now I see now how our fifth estate and mainstream media have been motivated by greed to propagandize to a demographic instead of seeking truth. This causes me to fear for America as never before. The words to this song still speak truth to the turmoil and a person's desire to build a life worth living. I always feel a wrenching in my heart when I hear it's words, but I always return to hear it again.

[@junebrilly5302]

​@glenmacnicol7825 exquisitely expressed. I grew up during the Vietnam War and it turned me around.to see the death.snd destruction. It was burned into my.white-priveledged Midwestern mind. I've NEVER Forgotten. This song is extraordinary. BRAVO to Paul Simon. Accolades to Rhiannan Giddens for taking the baton and embracing it for further generations. I'm filled with both Love, and Grief❤

[@L8nitedave]

on the last day of his second tour, the day before Tet, my uncle became one of the many unappreciated heroes of that war. He lived with us for the first few of the years he struggled after. I've found these times similar too.

[@tuforu4]

​@@glenmacnicol7825 have you ever seen the VICTIMS in CAMBODIA.

[@kalmia01]

Amazing and that lyrics change...❤why politics and corporations and those obscure people behind them cant take example and be like these two beautiful humans and artiss?😢

[@janeburton3419]

I have a lot of respect for Paul Simon love him then and now . wonderful life he has and we'll deserved to .just love him

[@connieatkinson418]

Paul Simon’s songs were more prophetic than he could ever have imagined. His fingers were on the pulse. Beautiful rendition.

[@colinmcgee5931]

"We didn't come here on the Mayflower" gives me goosebumps. Not to mention her wonderful, wonderful voice.

[@donnalawson264]

I found i had tears in my eyes. Made it my American tune .

[@gerryhouska2859]

Matches her wonderful, wonderful face.

[@TartempionLampion]

..."we came on a ship in a blood red moon" 😪

[@artysanmobile]

The depth of pain in describing America’s slavery makes me sob every time. I guess it should.

[@edwilliams9914]

Yes! But y'know, altho I got here on the ship Rhiannon was singing about, the original also gave me goosebumps. LOVE them both and now I want to hear the song strung out with BOTH as two different choruses. ALL the many ships that got us all here, good and bad. That version would really soar.

[@mnelson56]

Whoa, what Ms. Giddens does with Mr. Simon's wonderful composition. Humanity. Power. Tears.

[@zb2363]

Wow! When you hear the song as if it were from an African American perspective it takes on a whole new weight. Beautiful.

[@kindredspiritfly]

agreed!!

[@jorgbaiter2767]

Rhiannon is both, she is half white & black! Her parents were the first to marry as a mixed couple, when this was made possible by law in the late 60‘s

[@jesseadams9730]

it always had weight. tis an american tune buddy

[@RickKhamsi]

Interracial marriages were banned in Virginia until the case of Loving v. Virginia was decided in 1967 by the Supreme Court. I will point out that interracial marriages have happened since long before that. Love is love and no distant legislature has ever had the power to stop it. Something I need to share - check out the writings of Ida B. Wells, particularly The Red Record. That ground breaking book focuses on interracial marriages and the way they were purposely used as raw material for reactionaries in the American South to create a propaganda narrative that they used to terrorize African Americans and their friends and families in the years around WWI.

[@junebrilly5302]

Thankyou so much for that. I will seek out her writing!❤

[@buckmulligan7]

We have a new American Anthem.

[@lifewithyogiji]

Phew… I’ve known this song for forty years. But this time it hits me.

[@brucegelman5582]

Simon is Americas greatest living songsmith.He is to song what Whitman was to prose.

[@cacciato69]

OLd ?Vietnam vet heating this again history repeats the needs ot the time. Paul wrote this in a time of need and we need it once again! What an angelic voice to sing makes my heart beat with hope! Thanks for this ...

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

I just watched this…again … still makes me cry! Rhiannon Giddens sings so wonderfully on this!😊❤️ thank you, Paul Simon - for writing such an amazing song👍❤️🇺🇸

[@Michael-rh7ie]

Wow.... Have loved Simon and Garfunkel since I was a child.....rarely has anyone else done the music justice....Bravo Rhiannon Giddens ! .....with all due credit to the back up band.

[@richardwysocki8300]

So beautiful! You both brought tears to my eyes. Thank you Ms. Giddens for such a moving rendition of this classic... especially reminding us we ALL did not come to America by way of the Mayflower. Thank you Mr. Simon for giving us this song, which is perhaps more relevant now than ever. Peace

[@marilynisaacs7739]

The first time I ever heard Rhiannon was at this Grammy Salute to Paul Simon and immediately fell in love with her rendition of this wonderful song. Kudos to both Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens!

[@richardjohnson5979]

A song…and a voice for the ages. Rhiannon’s voice and the voices of their instruments are magic. Can’t stop listening to this.

[@roadwarrier7358]

Hats off to Paul Simon, who is giving Rhiannon the chance to give this song a totally new meaning. Thank you, Jim Hartel (who built her minstrel banjo) for telling me about this.

[@RalphDavis-qk2xy]

Remin' Simon always ready to share the mic.

[@EchosLens]

It's not a minstrel banjo, as she explains in every interview I've heard where she talks about the banjo.

[@TheFunnyDictator]

Context?! Please reply to me, dude-person!

[@irobeen]

I've loved Paul Simon since the 60s and Rhiannon Giddens for a few years. I had misgivings on their collaboration on this particular song, but I am just floored and moved to tears with this rendition and the incredible impact of the voice, the words and Paul's guitaring [as always].

[@kmcg6444]

Two of my favorite artists, playing a tune that never got anywhere near the play it deserved. Touched my soul.

[@alainmichaud3140]

Cette dame est vraiment extraordinaire, quelle personalité et quelle voix. 😌🙏

[@datcolsol]

Maybe I'm over analyzing the video, but to me, it looks like Paul is digging this performance

[@traciewilliams2072]

She is so amazing!! ❤ I have watched this Paul Simon tribute soooo many times!!! He is truly a treasure and whoever picked the artists to pay tribute to him is a genius!!! That was a great show!

[@SLFinSF]

I cried. This has been one of my favorite songs since it came out when I was in my teens. She has made it even more remarkable and meaningful.

[@jackalex454]

me too

[@gabrielesaint-ives3748]

That's so so true !

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

What an icon! Paul’s great too. 😊

[@davidcurtis7547]

Too good ,Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens . Rare beauty . Thanks

[@Nicolaspurr]

Tuned in for Rhiannon Giddens, thrilled by the testimony to the legacy of Joseph Tshabalala. Thank you Paul.

[@TheHkluivert]

Wow, just beautiful. And to sing this song together with Paul himself next to you...

[@catherinenolan2177]

Have always adored Paul Simon That was such a performance so poignant

[@marthatravers5989]

A perfect song for these times, it shows the power of genius to channel truths that transcend race, gender, & all the ways we narrow our identities. Paul Simon's original rendition of the song must be heard to fully appreciate the beauty, the feeling, and the insight of this song.

[@ImaniTolliver]

Tears. It’s as if I heard it for the first time. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@davidbickford9227]

How can you not listen to this without a tear in your eye?

[@innercirclemusic1]

When it comes to music, Mr Simon’s the perennial kid in a candy store. He digs it as much as he probably did in the early 60s, busking in Paris while trying to cut it as a singer-songwriter. 80-something and still prolific. His new album sprinkles unexpected stardust as a bookend to his storied journey. May it not be the last.

[@tubingtomtom]

Paul Simon has been transporting himself I song from the very beginning of his career. So happy to hear this song come full circle. She is fabulous

[@Krog12354]

Two exceptional artists doing an exceptional song!

[@jelenabodrazic522]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻Finaly a VOICE.

[@jeffreyjacobs390]

Sang many tunes of Paul Simon ( Simon & Garfunkel) days of course Many Years Ago Now .... I always respected the volume of work, the Lyrics alone were mastery and tunes that touched you like no other composer then. He is a true TROUBADOUR of our American Classic Popular Music .... I Salute and thank you Sir !! God bless, jj

[@EchosLens]

I can't think of anyone who can deliver a tribute as stunningly well as Rhiannon Giddens can (and does). She knocks it out of the park every time!

[@marcies3789]

Rhiannon is so amazing, such a wonderful version. And of course Paul Simon is a legend among legends, and kudos for being cool with changing the lyrics.

[@cuchelo1]

Wow. Just wow. I can't even form a coherent thought that was so powerful.

[@carollamond9482]

….so musically & soulfully enriching for weary souls needing refreshment…

[@rjwh67220]

Two of my most favorite people. Beautiful version of a beautiful song.

[@EdwardKrzynowek-fx5to]

I'm appreciating Paul Simon and all his work once again. I bought the vinyl album that contained this masterpiece and others, when it was still new, on the shelf. I was a senior in high school. My, so much has changed--and, so much time has passed since then! For all the goodness here, seeing Paul age, along with the rest of us, reminds me that the clock is ticking for everyone. I wish it weren't. But, for now, it must remain, "like tears in rain".

[@2bornot2b42]

Amazing, shivers from first note to last, pure shivers.

[@alexissinclair1530]

Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@jimrebr]

I remember watching this on tv last year, outstanding then and Paul’s words never rang truer, than they do sang by Rhiannon, I hear this completely different now, then I did at 12 years old. Bless you Rhiannon for making the words so true, this hits so differently, with War in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza. I pray for peace. Part of my family did come on the Mayflower, but many of my ancestors immigrated in the late 1800’s, through Ellis Island. My grandmother’s uncle, Austin Glenn, was a Pastor, and he was hung in Texas for preaching Emancipation of slaves, his sons carried on.

[@dreamwell2020]

This has always been a big song for me, but here she's framed it wider.

[@b1j]

So true. I like your insight.

[@levonjackson9234]

I would love to here Rhiannon, sing one less bell , by the ❤the 5th Dimension

[@likable72]

What an American dream! Still chasing , it is quite elusive ….

[@AaronSpielman]

This is the best version of one of Paul's very best songs, IMO.

[@kindredspiritfly]

OMG!! So gorgeous!! Love, love, love this song and both of these fine artists!!

[@johnschneider4160]

Sing it Loud!🙏🏻👍

[@heroness]

She is so Awesome! What A Voice! Thanx to Paul ..too!

[@brendahughes351]

She is utterly marvelous!!

[@user-qw9zw9fn6j]

this was my first introduction to rhiannon, such a gift. thanks to her and paul simon for this wonderful performance!

[@junebrilly5302]

Every time I hear this, I cry. So poignant, heartbreakingly beautiful❤

[@nancywarren7331]

Such a wonderful and inspiring song. Such an amazing singer and Paul’s appreciation. He himself, the most perfect writer, poet and singer. A most remarkable and precious moment caught in time.💕💐🌻

[@kentdunne1320]

This song always touched me....😊

[@pgadams1]

Superb. Rhiannon is such a talent.

[@tamparker854]

He's passing the torch.

[@junebrilly5302]

SO TRUE!!!

[@ShunyamNiketana]

Still a beautiful song, made more beautiful still by Ms. Giddens' voicing, not to mention the unexpected string duet that closes the piece. What a treat.

[@Erleichdafarm]

I heard this song in my mind so many times in the days following 9/11. This rendition brought tears. Beautiful.

[@malvolio2006]

So did i

[@sarahgray2812]

It's the song that first made me cry on 9-11🎶😢

[@beulahprophet8996]

Just gorgeous sounding. Pure, raw, lovely.

[@maureenmartin4730]

A GREAT singer❤

[@seventhskin1]

Goosebumps!

[@canadaclaret]

Beautiful. And she improves the pronunciation of bon vivant.

[@bench7434]

Je l’ai découverte sur la bande sonore de inside Llewyn Davis des frères Coen, absolument magnifique .

[@sreykimsear]

Beautiful rendition.

[@valerienathan7757]

What a voice and beautiful guitar playing by Paul. Such an timeless and indelible tune.

[@dinobevilacqua56]

Meravigliosa Rhiannon !

[@robinhoward8805]

Thank you so very much! You made me cry, but the best songs always do

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

This duos performance of American Tune at Newport 2022 has more emotional punch.

[@Bo-tz4nw]

OMG...! After following Paul Simon now for so long, hard to pick one song, ok why, no need to, but still maybe this one. This version is just so great, (Still the PS live version from 1985 here on yt, always, of course!)

[@robinleebraun7739]

What a talent, what a voice.

[@b1j]

Blown away.

[@annadlugosz3337]

Absolutely amazing

[@JungleJoeVN]

She's an amazingly talented and beautiful woman.

[@clairebear1808]

What a voice 😮 very nice and Paul always fabulous

[@almabatchelor8619]

Goosebumps.

[@ginalevy]

wow. That was stunning.

[@Barry4B]

The emotional and spiritual connection Rhiannon makes with her audience is astonishing

[@jennifermarkens1882]

Best performance of this song EVER!

[@Ratguitar58]

Wow! Was that great or what? Much love to all ❤

[@pie0ful]

A Master songwriter with master singer

[@paddybpaddyb9940]

Oh sweet Jesus

[@donlabree1912]

This is the United States of America. We the people in order to form a more perfect union ❤

[@thinkinoutloud]

Outstanding!

[@jimrestin9230]

So timely, and performed by two great musicians. Well done!

[@jeffweinbergerguitar]

Inspirational!

[@jonathanbgejensen1956]

the stuff 'America' needs