The Obvious Child
Paul Simon
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
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?
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Release"The Obvious Child" is the first song on Paul Simon's 1990 album "The Rhythm of the Saints."
|
Music VideoThe music video for "The Obvious Child" was shot in Salvador, Brazil and incorporates the vibrant culture and carnival atmosphere of the time and place.
|
RecordingThis song was among the first recorded for the album, in Rio de Janeiro, with local musicians playing Brazilian percussion instruments.
|
Top Chart Position"The Obvious Child" reached number #15 in the UK Single Charts, proving its popularity and acceptance among listeners.
|
Musical StyleThe song is characterized by a heavy percussion sound, creating a non-Western rhythm which was a shift from Paul Simon's previous work. The song begins with a drum solo and continues to build with complex rhythms and textures.
|
LyricsThe lyrics of "The Obvious Child" explore broad themes of life, aging and mortality, reflecting Simon's introspective and thoughtful approach to songwriting.
|
InspirationsPaul Simon was known to have been inspired by African and Brazilian beats, which is evident in this song's heavy percussion and rhythm work.
|
Live Performances"The Obvious Child" has continued to be a staple in Simon's live performances throughout his career, showing its enduring appeal and influence.
|
Simon's PerspectiveIn an interview, Simon described "The Obvious Child" as a song about a man who becomes a father, exploring the characters from the perspective of a child and a parent.
|
Artistic AppreciationDespite not making it to the top 10 in any major music charts, "The Obvious Child" is widely appreciated by critics for its musicality and lyrical depth.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"The Obvious Child Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4401518/Paul+Simon/The+Obvious+Child>.
Discuss the The Obvious Child Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In