Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Graceland (album)
| Graceland | ||
|---|---|---|
| Album by Paul Simon | ||
| Released | August, 1986 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Length | 44 min 43 sec | |
| Record label | Warner Brothers | |
| Producers | Paul Simon | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| AMG review | 5/5 | link |
| Paul Simon Chronology | ||
| Hearts & Bones (1983) | Graceland (1986) | The Rhythm of the Saints 1990 |
Graceland is an album released in 1986 by Paul Simon. The title track describes a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presley's estate in Memphis, Tennessee; Simon has said that he considers it to be the best song he has ever written.
The album featured South African musicians including the band Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simon faced accusations that he had broken the cultural boycott imposed by western democracies against the apartheid regime in South Africa. This view was not supported by the United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee, as the album showcased the talents of the black South African musicians while offering no support to the South African government. Linda Ronstadt appears on the track "Under African Skies" and the group Los Lobos appear on the last track, "All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints". A popular music video starring Chevy Chase was made for the song "You Can Call Me Al".
Graceland won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards of 1987. It was voted as the best album of the year in The Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics poll. In 1998 Q magazine readers voted it the 56th greatest album of all time; in 2003 the TV network VH1 placed it at number 84.
Track listing
- "The Boy In The Bubble"
- "Graceland"
- "I Know What I Know"
- "Gumboots"
- "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes"
- "You Can Call Me Al"
- "Under African Skies"
- "Homeless"
- "Crazy Love Vol II"
- "That Was Your Mother"
- "All Around The World or The Myth Of Fingerprints"
Charts & Awards
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Billboard 200 | 3 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Graceland | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 38 |
| 1986 | Graceland | The Billboard Hot 100 | 81 |
| 1986 | Graceland | The Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
| 1986 | You Can Call Me Al | Adult Contemporary | 15 |
| 1986 | You Can Call Me Al | The Billboard Hot 100 | 23 |
| 1987 | The Boy in the Bubble | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 15 |
| 1987 | The Boy in the Bubble | The Billboard Hot 100 | 86 |
| 1999 | You Can Call Me Al | The Billboard Hot 100 | 42 |
GRAMMY Awards
| Year | Album/Track | Award | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Graceland (album) | Album Of The Year | 6697 |
| 1987 | Graceland (song) | Record Of The Year | 7061 |
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