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Paul Simon
About You Can Call Me Al
"You Can Call Me Al" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics follow an individual seemingly experiencing a midlife crisis. Its lyrics were partially inspired by Simon's trip to South Africa and experience with its culture. Released in September 1986, "You Can Call Me Al" became one of Simon's biggest solo hits, reaching the top five in seven countries. more »
- Year:
- 1986
- 4:40
- 6,536Views
- Playlists:
- #15
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A man walks down the streetHe says why am I soft in the middle nowWhy am I soft in the middleThe rest of my life is so hardI need a photo-opportunityI want a shot at redemptionDon't want to end up a cartoonIn a cartoon graveyardBonedigger BonediggerDogs in the moonlightFar away my well-lit doorMr. Beerbelly BeerbellyGet these mutts away from meYou know I don't find this stuff amusing anymoreIf you'll be my bodyguardI can be your long lost palI can call you BettyAnd Betty when you call meYou can call me AlA man walks down the streetHe says why am I short of attentionGot a short little span of attentionAnd wo my nights are so longWhere's my wife and familyWhat if I die hereWho'll be my role-modelNow that my role-model isGone GoneHe ducked back down the alleyWith some roly-poly little bat-faced girlAll along alongThere were incidents and accidentsThere were hints and allegationsIf you'll be my bodyguardI can be your long lost palI can call you BettyAnd Betty when you call meYou can call me AlCall me AlA man walks down the streetIt's a street in a strange worldMaybe it's the Third WorldMaybe it's his first time aroundHe doesn't speak the languageHe holds no currencyHe is a foreign manHe is surrounded by the soundThe soundCattle in the marketplaceScatterlings and orphanagesHe looks around, aroundHe sees angels in the architectureSpinning in infinityHe says Amen! and Hallelujah!If you'll be my bodyguardI can be your long lost palI can call you BettyAnd Betty when you call meYou can call me AlCall me Al
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Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an award-winning musician whose talents in composing, performing, and vocal harmony placed him at the forefront of the singer-songwriters on an international scale. Simon's fame, influence and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts: "The Sounds of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo split up in 1970 at the height of their popularity, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African… more »
6 fans
Genre »
Pop
Sheet Music PDF Playlist
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Album Placement"You Can Call Me Al" is one of the most popular songs from Paul Simon's seventh studio album, "Graceland," which was released in 1986. |
Chart AchievementsThe song didn't achieve immediate success in the United States but eventually peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. |
Second Wave of Popularity"You Can Call Me Al" saw a rise in its popularity in the UK when it was re-released in 1987. It subsequently peaked at No. 4 in the UK Singles chart, bettering its earlier performance when it was first released in 1986. |
Inspiration for the Song TitleThe song's title was inspired by an incident at a party, where a guest mistakenly referred to Paul Simon as “Al” and his wife as “Betty.” |
Lyrical ContentThe song narrates the midlife crisis of its protagonist, who is traveling in Africa – a metaphoric journey to find identity and purpose. |
Music VideoThe music video for the song, features actor Chevy Chase, who lip-synced Paul Simon's vocals, while Simon mimed playing various instruments. |
Bass Solo"You Can Call Me Al" features a distinctive bass solo played by Bakithi Kumalo. The solo is unusual in the way it was produced by reversing the original recording. |
Grammy Nomination"You Can Call Me Al" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987. |
Album InfluenceThe album "Graceland," which includes "You Can Call Me Al," is recognized for introducing African music and aesthetics into the Western pop mainstream. The album won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1987. |
Cultural ImpactThe song has been used in numerous film soundtracks and TV commercial campaigns, thereby sustaining its cultural relevance over the years. |
Cover VersionsVarious artists have covered "You Can Call Me Al," notable among them being British band The Hotpots in 2009, Irish band Hermitage Green in 2015, and indie folk band Skinny Lister in 2017. |
InstrumentationThe song features a variety of instruments apart from bass, such as the saxophone, trumpet, and penny whistle. The richness in instrumentation contributes to its unique sound. |
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