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Paul Simon — Graceland (live)
Album: Concert in the Park
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 325









Released: 1991
Length: 5:29
Plays (last 30 days): 0
The Mississippi Delta was shining
Like a National guitar
I am following the river
Down the highway
Through the cradle of the civil war

I'm going to Graceland
Graceland
In Memphis Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and Pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
My traveling companion is nine years old
He is the child of my first marriage
But I've reason to believe
We both will be received
In Graceland

She comes back to tell me she's gone
As if I didn't know that
As if I didn't know my own bed
As if I'd never noticed
The way she brushed her hair from her forehead
And she said losing love
Is like a window in your heart
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody sees the wind blow

I'm going to Graceland
Memphis Tennessee
I'm going to Graceland
Poorboys and Pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland

And my traveling companions
Are ghosts and empty sockets
I'm looking at ghosts and empties
But I've reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland

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
Oh, 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
Everybody sees you're blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow

In Graceland, in Graceland
I'm going to Graceland
For reasons I cannot explain
There's some part of me wants to see
Graceland
And I may be obliged to defend
Every love, every ending
Or maybe there's no obligations now
Maybe I've a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland
Comments (13)add comment
 ecomaniac wrote:
There's no doubt this album has great music on it.  The question is: how much of it did Paul actually create?
 

It is my understanding that very little in the world is new.  Sometimes I just like to appreciate the music as is. 
 ecomaniac wrote:
There's no doubt this album has great music on it.  The question is: how much of it did Paul actually create?
 
Oh give it a rest. FFS.
There's no doubt this album has great music on it.  The question is: how much of it did Paul actually create?
Such good players 
Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation?
 Typesbad wrote:

Never much cared for the concept of cultural appropriation.  Pretty much all music carries prior influences, some from within the same genre, and some - often the best - have influences from other genres.  When the genre comes from another race, is that suddenly forbidden?  Sure would have lost out on a lot of good blues and blues-based rock with that thinking.  In fact, I'd say it is how this thing called "Rock" has stayed fresh for six decades.   Plus, when a popular music artist has a song or album that displays obvious influence from another culture, when has that ever NOT brought increased attention to the music of that culture?   

Personally I find most complaints of cultural appropriation are born out of snobbery, along the lines of "This is nothing, you should hear the real thing!"   Of course many people will go on to do just that, but what the complainer really wants to get across is "I'm so cool, I found this stuff without that guy!"   Well good for you.  Here's your medal.

 
Right on.
I was there, although so far away couldn't see anything.
 nathanieldavis89 wrote:
I prefer the studio version, but I'm one of the millennials who grew up on this album because of my boomer parents, so it'll forever be close to my heart.
 
I agree: I prefer the studio version
Still a weak 7
I prefer the studio version, but I'm one of the millennials who grew up on this album because of my boomer parents, so it'll forever be close to my heart.
 thewiseking wrote:
Never much dug the Lil Fella's Cultural Appropriation, whether of Peruvian Folk, South African or Latin Rhythms. Who needs it when you can go to the source material?

 
Never much cared for the concept of cultural appropriation.  Pretty much all music carries prior influences, some from within the same genre, and some - often the best - have influences from other genres.  When the genre comes from another race, is that suddenly forbidden?  Sure would have lost out on a lot of good blues and blues-based rock with that thinking.  In fact, I'd say it is how this thing called "Rock" has stayed fresh for six decades.   Plus, when a popular music artist has a song or album that displays obvious influence from another culture, when has that ever NOT brought increased attention to the music of that culture?   

Personally I find most complaints of cultural appropriation are born out of snobbery, along the lines of "This is nothing, you should hear the real thing!"   Of course many people will go on to do just that, but what the complainer really wants to get across is "I'm so cool, I found this stuff without that guy!"   Well good for you.  Here's your medal.
 thewiseking wrote:
Never much dug the Lil Fella's Cultural Appropriation, whether of Peruvian Folk, South African or Latin Rhythms. Who needs it when you can go to the source material?

 
I think the blending makes it accessible. It might break some PC rules, but for me that's alright where music is concerned. Especially as a transition to the music of other cultures.
Never much dug the Lil Fella's Cultural Appropriation, whether of Peruvian Folk, South African or Latin Rhythms. Who needs it when you can go to the source material?
Fabulous song from a fantastic album! Amazing, powerful rhythms and staggering lyrics of an elevated sort of poetry not found today...