Obvious Child

Paul Simon

About Obvious Child

"The Obvious Child" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his eighth studio album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), released by Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics explore mortality and aging. The song is accompanied by a performance from Brazilian drumming collective Olodum in a live recording. The single, released in September 1990, was commercially successful, performing well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 21. Outside the US, "The Obvious Child" was a top 15 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The song received highly positive reviews upon its release. Simon promoted the song alongside Olodum in a performance on Saturday Night Live. The song also influenced popular culture; it is the namesake of the 2014 film Obvious Child.  


Year:
1990
4:10
117 
#1

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Well I'm accustomed to a smooth ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep through the night
Some people say a lie's a lie's a lie
But I say why
Why deny the obvious child?
Why deny the obvious child?

And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said these songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark
The cross is in the ballpark

We had a lot of fun
We had a lot of money
We had a little son and we thought we'd call him Sonny
Sonny gets married and moves away
Sonny has a baby and bills to pay
Sonny gets sunnier
Day by day by day by day

I've been waking up at sunrise
I've been following the light across my room
I watch the night receive the room of my day
Some people say the sky is just the sky
But I say
Why deny the obvious child?
Why deny the obvious child?

Sonny sits by the window and thinks to himself
How it's strange that some roots are like cages
Sonny's yearbook from high school
Is down on the shelf
And he idle thumbs through the pages
Some have died
Some have fled from themselves
Or struggled from here to get there
Sonny wanders beyond his interior walls
Runs his hands through his thinning brown hair
I'm accustomed to a smoother ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep the night
Some people say a lie is just a lie
But I say
The cross is in the ballpark
Why deny the obvious child?

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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 »

6 fans

Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"Obvious Child" is a song by American musician Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his eighth studio album, "The Rhythm of the Saints," released in 1990.
Cultural Influence
The song is heavily influenced by the music of Brazil, particularly the percussive "samba" style. Simon travelled to Rio de Janeiro to record with a group of Brazilian musicians for this album.
Chart Success
"Obvious Child" reached No. 15 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in 1990.
Music Video
The music video of "Obvious Child" features Simon performing the song in front of an excited crowd in Salvador, Brazil. The video deeply showcases Brazilian culture, with its vibrant music and dance.
Movie Reference
A 2014 film named 'Obvious Child', starring Jenny Slate, takes its title from this song. However, the song does not feature in the film.
Lyric Themes
The song’s lyrics cover themes including aging, personal reflection, and looming mortality - often considered a more mature stage in Paul Simon's writing.
Live Performances
Paul Simon opened his concerts with "Obvious Child" during his 1991 Born at the Right Time Tour, which was later released on his 1991 live album, "Paul Simon's Concert in the Park".
Acclaim
"Obvious Child" is widely celebrated for its fusion of Brazilian rhythms with Simon’s poignant lyrics. This song is recognized as one of Paul Simon’s significant creative peaks.
Collaboration
The song features a return collaboration with drummer Steve Gadd - their first joint work since Simon's album "One-Trick Pony" in 1980.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by many artists, including musicians like Randy Scruggs and Joan Baez. It continues to inspire artists across a variety of genres for its unique sound and message.

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