Paul Simon’s ‘Loves Me Like a Rock’ is the perfect finish to his wonderful second solo album, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon. It’s hard not to smile listening to this.
But this song is also an important milestone in Simon’s storied career. Six years after the first Simon & Garfunkel record (and 40 years ago), this track represents the first real departure from what has been his signature acoustic sound.
The addition of the gospel backing band (The Dixie Hummingbirds, who would go on to release their own version of the track) marked Simon’s first step down the path that would eventually lead to Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints.
And the Devil would call my name
I’d say, “Now who do . . .
Who do you think you’re fooling?”
I’m a consecrated boy
Singer in a Sunday choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And she loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
When I was grown to be a man
And the Devil would call my name
I’d say “now who do . . .
Who do you think you’re fooling?”
I’m a consummated man
I can snatch a little purity
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
If I was President
And the Congress called my name
I’d say “now who do . . .
Who do you think you’re fooling?”
I’ve got the presidential seal
I’m up on the presidential podium
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
And she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m not sure this song led him down the path to Graceland, but it is certainly a classic, even if no traditional, Simon tune.