Paul Simon’s Graceland is famous for its blend of Simon’s signature pop sensibility with the sounds of South African music, including the a capella work of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simon was accused of supporting apartheid by breaking a cultural embargo but the United Nations supported him.
The South African influence is certainly heard all over Graceland, but it’s easy to forget that Simon spins off in other directions, particularly at the end of the album.
Final track ‘All Around the World (or The Myth of Fingerprints)’ was recorded with Tex-Mex band Los Lobos. Simon gave himself sole songwriting credit in the album’s liner notes despite their claim that the music was written entirely by them. Interestingly, Simon questioned the method in which they voiced their grudge (through a lawyer after Graceland had hit it big) but he never disputed their claim of authorship.
Graceland‘s penultimate track is one of my favorites, the zydeco-flavored ‘That Was Your Mother.’ This is a perfect song to sing to your kids when they get to be a pain in the ass. “You are the burden of my generation… I sure do love you, but let’s get that straight.”
Before you was born, dude
When I was still single
And life was great
I held this job as a traveling salesman
That kept me moving from state to state
Well, I’m standing on the corner of Lafayette
State of Louisiana
Wondering where a city boy could go
To get a little conversation
Drink a little red wine
Catch a little bit of those Cajun girls
Dancing to Zydeco
Along came a young girl
She’s pretty as a prayer book
Sweet as an apple on Christmas day
I said, “Good gracious can this be my luck?
If that’s my prayer book
Lord, let us pray”
Well I’m standing on the corner of Lafayette
State of Louisiana
Wondering what a city boy could do
To get her in a conversation
Drink a little red wine
Dance to the music of Clifton Chenier
The King of the Bayou
‘Ei-toi!
Well, that was your mother
And that was your father
Before you was born dude
When life was great
You are the burden of my generation
I sure do love you
But let’s get that straight
Well, I’m standing on the corner of Lafayette
Across the street from The Public
Heading down to the Lone Star Café
Maybe get a little conversation
Drink a little red wine
Standing in the shadow of Clifton Chenier
Dancing the night away
Meet Me In Montauk 
This is one of my favorites on Graceland as well, though it’s hard to pick a song on this record that isn’t a favorite.
Very interesting tidbit about Los Lobos. What is odd is that Simon gives credit to other writers on different songs on Graceland, so why wouldn’t he for this one?
I had heard/read about the Los Lobos controversy before. Actually, come to think of it, one of my students did a research project about musicians plagiarizing from one another, and Simon was one of his examples. Seems preposterous to me. As Dana said, why wouldn’t he give them credit?
Regardless of that sour note, I agree that today’s SOTD is a highlight, though I’ve never been tempted to sing it to my kids. Might have to give that a try 😉