Under African Skies
Paul Simon
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Joseph's face was black as night The pale yellow moon shone in his eyes His path was marked By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere And he walked his days Under African skies This is the story of how we begin to remember This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein After the dream of falling and calling your name out These are the roots of rhythm And the roots of rhythm remain In early memory Mission music Was ringing 'round my nursery door I said take this child, Lord From Tucson Arizona Give her the wings to fly through harmony And she won't bother you no more This is the story of how we begin to remember This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein After the dream of falling and calling your name out These are the roots of rhythm And the roots of rhythm remain Joseph's face was as black as the night And the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes His path was marked By the stars in the Southern Hemisphere And he walked the length of his days Under African skies
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Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
21 facts about this song
Release Date"Under African Skies" is a song from Paul Simon's seventh studio album, Graceland, which was released on August 25, 1986.
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CollaborationThe song features vocals from American singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt.
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ControversyThe collaboration with Ronstadt was controversial due to her previous performance in Sun City, South Africa, viewed as an implicit endorsement of the apartheid regime.
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Album SuccessGraceland won the Album of the Year award at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987.
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Cultural IntegrationThe album, including "Under African Skies", is notable for its fusion of American and African musical styles, and features many South African performers.
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Documentary Appearance"Under African Skies" is specifically highlighted in the 2012 documentary film about the making of Graceland, also called "Under African Skies".
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Song MeaningThe song is a homage to South Africa and reflects on the country's history and culture. It includes lines about the cradle of civilization and the grace inherent in people living under challenging conditions.
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TourPaul Simon performed the song live during the Graceland tour, often as a duet with vocalists Miriam Makeba, or Thandiswa Mazwai, further highlighting his collaboration with South African musicians.
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Connection to Other SongsIn the album version of the song, there is a spoken introduction referring to the track "Homeless" on the same album.
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PraiseThe song has been widely praised for its poetic lyrics, haunting melody, and blend of diverse musical influences. Robert Christgau, an American essayist and music journalist, considered "Under African Skies" along with "Graceland" as the best tracks from the album.
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Album Classification"Under African Skies" is a song from Paul Simon's 1986 album, "Graceland."
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Unique CollaborationsThe song features vocals from the American singer Linda Ronstadt, making it a unique blend of Simon's songwriting and Ronstadt's vocals.
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African InfluenceThe title and key themes of the song suggest African influences, which coincide with the general themes of the "Graceland" album, as Simon spent time in South Africa during its creation.
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Cultural Recognition"Under African Skies" is recognized for its hamonious blend of American and African musical styles, demonstrating Simon's groundbreaking world music approach.
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Lyrics DescriptionThe song describes the impact that Africa has left on Simon - mentioning "the roots of rhythm" from the South African townships where he found musical inspiration.
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Controversial ProductionThe making of the album took place during the apartheid era, causing a fair amount of controversy as it was seen as Simon breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa.
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Criticism HandlingTo encounter the initial criticism, the song introduces the political situation subtly in its verses but also celebrates the country's rich musical traditions and potential for unity.
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Documentary RecognitionThe song and album were later the subject of a documentary, 'Under African Skies,' in 2012, which explored the political and social context at the time of the album's creation.
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Award Winning Album"Graceland" won the 1987 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making every song on it, including "Under African Skies," part of an award-winning collection.
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Song CompositionLike many songs on the Graceland album, "Under African Skies" features a complex structure and sophisticated chord progressions, showcasing Simon's songwriting abilities.
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Overcoming Personal DifficultiesSimon wrote the album during a difficult period of his life, and "Under African Skies" reflects his journey to find inspiration and healing through music.
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Citation
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