The Boy in the Bubble

Paul Simon

About The Boy in the Bubble

"The Boy in the Bubble" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the third single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon and Forere Motloheloa (an accordionist from Lesotho), its lyrics explore starvation and terrorism, juxtaposed with wit and optimism. The single—released in September 1987—performed well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at No. 15. Outside the U. S., "The Boy in the Bubble" was a top 20 hit in the Netherlands, and top 30 in the United Kingdom and Belgium. 


Year:
2007
3:58
77 

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It was a slow day 
And the sun was beating 
On the soldiers by the side of the road 
There was a bright light 
A shattering of shop windows 
The bomb in the baby carriage 
Was wired to the radio 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
This is the long distance call 
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo 
The way we look to us all 
The way we look to a distant constellation 
That's dying in a corner of the sky 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
And don't cry baby, don't cry 
Don't cry 

It was a dry wind 
And it swept across the desert 
And it curled into the circle of birth 
And the dead sand 
Falling on the children 
The mothers and the fathers 
And the automatic earth 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
This is the long distance call 
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo 
The way we look to us all 
The way we look to a distant constellation 
That's dying in a corner of the sky 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
And don't cry baby, don't cry 
Don't cry 

It's a turn-around jump shot 
It's everybody jump start 
It's every generation throws a hero up the pop charts 
Medicine is magical and magical is art 
The Boy in the Bubble 
And the baby with the baboon heart 

And I believe 
These are the days of lasers in the jungle 
Lasers in the jungle somewhere 
Staccato signals of constant information 
A loose affiliation of millionaires 
And billionaires and baby 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
This is the long distance call 
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo 
The way we look to us all 
The way we look to a distant constellation 
That's dying in a corner of the sky 
These are the days of miracle and wonder 
And don't cry baby, don't cry 
Don't cry

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Paul Simon

Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an award-winning musician whose talents in composing, performing, and vocal harmony placed him at the forefront of the singer-songwriters on an international scale. Simon's fame, influence and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts: "The Sounds of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo split up in 1970 at the height of their popularity, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African… more »

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Written by: Forere Motlhoheloa, Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Album Production
"The Boy in the Bubble" is the first song on Paul Simon's seventh studio album "Graceland" that he released in 1986.
Collaboration
Paul Simon co-wrote this song with Forere Motloheloa, who also played the accordion on the track.
Global Influences
The song was recorded in South Africa and features a blend of American and African musical styles, specifically the indigenous South African pop genre known as mbaqanga.
Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics describe technological advancements as a "boy in the bubble," suggesting that despite technological progress, human nature and conflicts stay the same.
Political Context
"The Boy in the Bubble" was written during the apartheid era in South Africa, and its lyrics touch on themes of despair and hope, struggle and change, reflecting the political atmosphere of the time.
Chart Success
The song did not chart in the US, but it did reach No. 26 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 15 in the Irish Singles Chart, making it an international success.
Music Video
A music video was produced for the song, featuring Paul Simon in the diverse landscape of South Africa, emphasizing the cultural differences discussed in the song.
Awards
The "Graceland" album, which includes "The Boy in the Bubble," won Album of the Year at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987.
Concert Performances
Paul Simon often opened his concerts with "The Boy in the Bubble" during his "Graceland" tour, using the energetic track to engage the audience.
Covers and Tributes
The song has been covered by many artists in several genres, including a version by Peter Gabriel for his 2010 covers album "Scratch My Back".
Social Relevance
"The Boy in the Bubble" continues to be referenced in contemporary media, demonstrating its lingering cultural and social relevance.

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    The Boy in the Bubble

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1987

    Billboard #86


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