Graceland (album)

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

Graceland is an album released in 1986 by Paul Simon. The title track describes a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presley's estate in Memphis, Tennessee; Simon has said that he considers it to be the best song he has ever written.

The album featured South African musicians including the band Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simon faced accusations that he had broken the cultural boycott imposed by western democracies against the apartheid regime in South Africa. This view was not supported by the United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee, as the album showcased the talents of the black South African musicians while offering no support to the South African government. Linda Ronstadt appears on the track "Under African Skies" and the group Los Lobos appear on the last track, "All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints". A popular music video starring Chevy Chase was made for the song "You Can Call Me Al".

Graceland won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards of 1987. In 2003 the TV network VH1 named it the 84th greatest album of all time.

Track listing

1. "The Boy In The Bubble"
2. "Graceland"
3. "I Know What I Know"
4. "Gumboots"
5. "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes"
6. "You Can Call Me Al"
7. "Under African Skies"
8. "Homeless"
9. "Crazy Love Vol II"
10. "That Was Your Mother"
11. "All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints"