You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Song of the Day #12
It warms my heart to know that this is the most popular song of his whole career. Sure, many fans would hesitate to put it among his best, but it's absolutely pivotal in Paul Simon's catalog, orienting the spiritual purpose of Graceland. Of course, any song that speaks of redemption through the glow of the human spirit will always score points with me. Yet, this song is even more beautiful to me because it is about Paul Simon's emerging through his personal crisis by an awakening of his soul. His declining commercial success, failing marriage, and waning creative energy all thrusted Paul Simon into one of his worst periods. As it goes with personal crises though, it forces you to re-evaluate your purpose in life, and, with time, a rebirth comes.
The lyrics perfectly document the aimlessness he felt and the paranoia that music helped him overcome. He comes up with all kinds of fears and worst-case scenarios that all seemingly melt away by the grand elation he felt from appreciating the music of South Africa, almost revitalizing his will for life. Truly, this is probably the most upbeat and energetic he's ever been. Throughout his all career, we could only interact with Simon through his own personal world. For the first time, he has opened his heart to the world and is able to celebrate everything he finds wonderful about it. That triumphant riff and danceable bassline signal a whole new beginning for him. That's why this song is so damn uplifting: you are witnessing a man heal himself in musical form and telling you about what he found in the process.
And even if you ignore any of the depth of the song (which many people do, unfortunately), this song is still impossibly catchy. Unbeatable hooks (there are at least 3 great ones here!), perfectly produced, truly shattering bass runs, and a complex but accessible Afro-Caribbean polyrhythmic structure. In the synth-drench sterilized wasteland of 80s pop, an album like Graceland with its vital, powerful African influences and abundance of creativity was an oasis. Yet, the album wouldn't have half of the appeal without its soulful optimism and universalism, and this song shows you how he stumbled upon that spirit in the first place.
And if you haven't watched the music video with Chevy Chase, it's hilariously awesome. You gotta check it out.
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