Graceland
Paul Simon
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The Mississippi Delta was shining Like a National guitar I am following the river Down the highway Through the cradle of the civil war I'm going to Graceland Graceland In Memphis Tennessee I'm going to Graceland Poor boys and pilgrims with families And we are going to Graceland My traveling companion is nine years old He is the child of my first marriage But I've reason to believe We both will be received In Graceland She comes back to tell me she's gone As if I didn't know that As if I didn't know my own bed As if I'd never noticed The way she brushed her hair from her forehead And she said losing love Is like a window in your heart Everybody sees you're blown apart Everybody sees the wind blow I'm going to Graceland Memphis Tennessee I'm going to Graceland Poor boys and pilgrims with families And we are going to Graceland And my traveling companions Are ghosts and empty sockets I'm looking at ghosts and empties But I've reason to believe We all will be received In Graceland There is a girl in New York City Who calls herself the human trampoline And sometimes when I'm falling, flying Or tumbling in turmoil I say Oh, so this is what she means She means we're bouncing into Graceland And I see losing love Is like a window in your heart Everybody sees you're blown apart Everybody sees the wind blow In Graceland, in Graceland I'm going to Graceland For reasons I cannot explain There's some part of me wants to see Graceland And I may be obliged to defend Every love, every ending Or maybe there's no obligations now Maybe I've a reason to believe We all will be received In Graceland
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Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Artist Information"Graceland" is a song by Paul Simon, an American singer-songwriter and actor.
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Album of the Same Name"Graceland" is the title track of Simon's seventh studio album, which was released in 1986.
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InfluencesThe song and the album were heavily influenced by South African township music, which Simon became interested in after hearing a bootleg cassette.
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International SuccessThe album was a massive international success, selling over 16 million copies worldwide and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1987.
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Controversial RecordingThe recording of the album was controversial because it was recorded in South Africa during apartheid. Simon faced criticism for apparently breaking the cultural boycott against South Africa.
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Honoring ElvisThe song "Graceland" is named after Elvis Presley's estate, which Simon visited during a road trip. The song includes references to Elvis and his impact on American culture.
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Personal InfluenceThe album was also heavily influenced by Simon's personal life, specifically his divorce from his first wife, Peggy Harper.
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Songwriting ProcessThe lyrics to "Graceland" were written in a stream-of-consciousness style, with Simon stating he didn't fully understand what the song was about until after it was complete.
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Single SuccessAs a single, "Graceland" reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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Cultural ImpactRolling Stone magazine ranked the song 485 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by many artists, including Willie Nelson, The Tallest Man on Earth, and Josh Ritter.
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Filming LocationThe music video for "Graceland" was shot at Elvis Presley's actual Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Citation
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"Graceland Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2707364/Paul+Simon/Graceland>.
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