Graceland (song)

"Graceland"
"Graceland"
Single by Paul Simon
from the album Graceland
B-side	"Hearts and Bones"
Released	November 1986
Recorded	November 1985
Genre	Folk rock; worldbeat;
Length	4:48
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Paul Simon
Producer(s)	Paul Simon
Paul Simon singles chronology

"Graceland" is the title song of the album Graceland, released in 1986 by Paul Simon. The song features vocals by The Everly Brothers. The lyrics follow the singer's thoughts during a road trip to Graceland after the failure of his marriage. Actress and author Carrie Fisher, Simon's ex-wife, said that the song referred in part to their relationship.^[2]

Reception

Billboard said that "Remarkable supporting players from his South Africa sessions make Simon's multiple-meaning musings into something subtly exotic."^[3]

The song won the 1988 Grammy Award for Record of the Year. It was the lowest-charting song on any of the world music charts to win Record of the Year until the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss US non-charting song "Please Read the Letter" won the same award in 2009.

In 2004, it was listed at #485 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs.^[4]

A cover by Willie Nelson peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1993.^[5]

An acoustic version of the song was included as a track on The Unplugged Collection, Volume One.^[6]

Personnel

Paul Simon – lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar (uncredited)^[7]
Ray Phiri – guitar
Demola Adepoju – pedal steel
Bakithi Kumalo – fretless bass
Vusi Khumalo – drums
Makhaya Mahlangu – percussion
The Everly Brothers – guitars, additional vocals

Charts

Chart (1986–87)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[8]	62
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[9]	35
Canada (RPM)^[10]	70
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[11]	14
Ireland (IRMA)^[12]	27
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[13]	79
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[14]	37
UK Singles (OCC)^[15]	98
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[16]	38
US Billboard Hot 100^[17]	81

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[18]	Silver	200,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Grammy Awards Honor U2 "...despite the fact that the Graceland album, released in 1986, had been named album of the year at the 1987 awards. The single had been released after Oct. 1, 1986, qualifying it for [the 1988] awards."
^ Greene, Andy (28 November 2016). "Carrie Fisher on LSD, Death, and Sex with Han Solo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
^ "Reviews". Billboard. November 15, 1986. p. 89. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
^ "The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rock List Music. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
^ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
^ Sinclair, Tom (1994-12-16). "The Unplugged Collection, Volume One". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
^ Director & Producer: Jeremy Marre (25 November 2016). "Classic Albums: Paul Simon: Graceland". Classic Albums. BBC. BBC Four.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Paul Simon – Graceland" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "RPM100: Singles" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 45, no. 19. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. February 14, 1987. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "RPM: Adult Contemporary" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 45, no. 16. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. January 24, 1987. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Graceland". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "Paul Simon – Graceland" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "Paul Simon – Graceland". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 499. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
^ "Paul Simon – Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
^ "Paul Simon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
^ "British single certifications – Paul Simon – Graceland". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 11, 2020.

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[1] Grammy Awards Honor U2 "...despite the fact that the Graceland album, released in 1986, had been named album of the year at the 1987 awards. The single had been released after Oct. 1, 1986, qualifying it for [the 1988] awards."

[2] Greene, Andy (28 November 2016). "Carrie Fisher on LSD, Death, and Sex with Han Solo". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 January 2017.

[3] "Reviews". Billboard. November 15, 1986. p. 89. Retrieved 2022-08-07.

[4] "The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rock List Music. Retrieved May 2, 2010.

[whitburn2013-5] Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.

[6] Sinclair, Tom (1994-12-16). "The Unplugged Collection, Volume One". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2015-11-06.

[Classic_Albums:_Paul_Simon-7] Director & Producer: Jeremy Marre (25 November 2016). "Classic Albums: Paul Simon: Graceland". Classic Albums. BBC. BBC Four.

[AUS-8] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[Belgium-9] "Paul Simon – Graceland" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[RPM1-10] "RPM100: Singles" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 45, no. 19. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. February 14, 1987. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[RPM2-11] "RPM: Adult Contemporary" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 45, no. 16. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. January 24, 1987. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[Ireland2-12] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Graceland". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[Dutch100-13] "Paul Simon – Graceland" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[New_Zealand-14] "Paul Simon – Graceland". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[British_Hit_Singles_&_Albums-15] Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 499. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

[AC-16] "Paul Simon – Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 13, 2015.

[Billboardhot100-17] "Paul Simon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.

[United_KingdomPaul_SimonGracelandsingleCertRef-18] "British single certifications – Paul Simon – Graceland". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 11, 2020.

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v t e Paul Simon songs
Discography
The Paul Simon Songbook	"I Am a Rock" "Leaves That Are Green" "April Come She Will" "The Sound of Silence" "A Simple Desultory Philippic" "Patterns"
Paul Simon	"Mother and Child Reunion" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" "Duncan"
There Goes Rhymin' Simon	"Kodachrome" "Loves Me Like a Rock" "American Tune" "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" "Something So Right" "St. Judy's Comet"
Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'	"The Sound of Silence"
Still Crazy After All These Years	"Gone at Last" "My Little Town" "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" "Still Crazy After All These Years"
Greatest Hits, Etc.	"Slip Slidin' Away" "Stranded in a Limousine"
One-Trick Pony	"Late in the Evening" "One-Trick Pony" "Oh, Marion"
Hearts and Bones	"Allergies" "The Late Great Johnny Ace" "Think Too Much"
Graceland	"You Can Call Me Al" "Graceland" "The Boy in the Bubble" "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" "Under African Skies" "Homeless"
The Rhythm of the Saints	"The Obvious Child" "Proof" "Born at the Right Time"
You're the One	"Old" "You're the One"
Surprise	"Father and Daughter" "That's Me" "Outrageous"
So Beautiful or So What	"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" "The Afterlife"
Stranger to Stranger	"Wristband" "Cool Papa Bell" "The Werewolf"
Featured singles	"Wonderful World" "The Blues" "The Boxer" "New York Is My Home"
Other songs	"Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" "Thelma"
Category

v t e Willie Nelson singles
1950s	"No Place for Me" "Man With the Blues" / "The Storm Has Just Begun" "What a Way to Live"
1960s	"Nite Life" "The Part Where I Cry" / "Mr. Record Man" "Willingly" "Touch Me" "Wake Me When It's Over" "Half a Man" / "The Last Letter" "Am I Blue" "I Never Cared For You" "Pretty Paper" "San Antonio Rose" "I Love You Because" "The Party's Over" "Blackjack County Chain" "Johnny One Time" "Bring Me Sunshine"
1970s	"Fire and Rain" "Yesterday's Wine" "Stay All Night (Stay a Little Longer)" "Bloody Mary Morning" "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time" "Georgia on My Mind" "Blue Skies" "All of Me" "Whiskey River" "September Song" "White Christmas"
1980s	"Help Me Make It Through the Night" "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" "Midnight Rider" "On the Road Again" "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" "Mona Lisa" "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" "Always on My Mind" "Let It Be Me" "Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" "Little Old Fashioned Karma" "Why Do I Have to Choose" "Take It to the Limit" "Without a Song" "City of New Orleans" "Forgiving You Was Easy" "Living in the Promiseland" "Heart of Gold" "Spanish Eyes" (with Julio Iglesias) "Twilight Time" "Nothing I Can Do About It Now" "There You Are" "Mr. Record Man"
1990s	"Ain't Necessarily So" "Graceland"
2000s	"Mendocino County Line" (with Lee Ann Womack) "Wurlitzer Prize" (with Norah Jones) "Beer for My Horses" (with Toby Keith) "The Harder They Come" "You Don't Know Me" "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other" "Gravedigger"
2010s	"Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die" "Just Breathe" "Grandma's Hands" (with Mavis Staples) "The Wall" "It's All Going to Pot" "Summer Wind" "Vote 'Em Out" "Forever Country"
Category:Willie Nelson

v t e Grammy Award for Record of the Year
1950s	"Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)" – Domenico Modugno (1958) "Mack the Knife" – Bobby Darin (1959)
1960s	"Theme from A Summer Place" – Percy Faith (1960) "Moon River" – Henry Mancini (1961) "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" – Tony Bennett (1962) "Days of Wine and Roses" – Henry Mancini (1963) "The Girl from Ipanema" – Astrud Gilberto & Stan Getz (1964) "A Taste of Honey" – Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1965) "Strangers in the Night" – Frank Sinatra (1966) "Up, Up and Away" – The 5th Dimension (1967) "Mrs. Robinson" – Simon & Garfunkel (1968) "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" – The 5th Dimension (1969)
1970s	"Bridge over Troubled Water" – Simon & Garfunkel (1970) "It's Too Late" – Carole King (1971) "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Roberta Flack (1972) "Killing Me Softly with His Song" – Roberta Flack (1973) "I Honestly Love You" – Olivia Newton-John (1974) "Love Will Keep Us Together" – Captain & Tennille (1975) "This Masquerade" – George Benson (1976) "Hotel California" – Eagles (1977) "Just the Way You Are" – Billy Joel (1978) "What a Fool Believes" – The Doobie Brothers (1979)
1980s	"Sailing" – Christopher Cross (1980) "Bette Davis Eyes" – Kim Carnes (1981) "Rosanna" – Toto (1982) "Beat It" – Michael Jackson (1983) "What's Love Got to Do with It" – Tina Turner (1984) "We Are the World" – USA for Africa (1985) "Higher Love" – Steve Winwood (1986) "Graceland" – Paul Simon (1987) "Don't Worry, Be Happy" – Bobby McFerrin (1988) "Wind Beneath My Wings" – Bette Midler (1989)
1990s	"Another Day in Paradise" – Phil Collins (1990) "Unforgettable" – Natalie Cole with Nat King Cole (1991) "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton (1992) "I Will Always Love You" – Whitney Houston (1993) "All I Wanna Do" – Sheryl Crow (1994) "Kiss from a Rose" – Seal (1995) "Change the World" – Eric Clapton (1996) "Sunny Came Home" – Shawn Colvin (1997) "My Heart Will Go On" – Celine Dion (1998) "Smooth" – Santana featuring Rob Thomas (1999)
2000s	"Beautiful Day" – U2 (2000) "Walk On" – U2 (2001) "Don't Know Why" – Norah Jones (2002) "Clocks" – Coldplay (2003) "Here We Go Again" – Ray Charles & Norah Jones (2004) "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" – Green Day (2005) "Not Ready to Make Nice" – Dixie Chicks (2006) "Rehab" – Amy Winehouse (2007) "Please Read the Letter" – Alison Krauss & Robert Plant (2008) "Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon (2009)
2010s	"Need You Now" – Lady Antebellum (2010) "Rolling in the Deep" – Adele (2011) "Somebody That I Used to Know" – Gotye featuring Kimbra (2012) "Get Lucky" – Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers (2013) "Stay with Me" (Darkchild version) – Sam Smith (2014) "Uptown Funk" – Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars (2015) "Hello" – Adele (2016) "24K Magic" – Bruno Mars (2017) "This Is America" – Childish Gambino (2018) "Bad Guy" – Billie Eilish (2019)
2020s	"Everything I Wanted" – Billie Eilish (2020) "Leave the Door Open" – Silk Sonic (2021) "About Damn Time" by Lizzo (2022) "Flowers" – Miley Cyrus (2023)