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Tune or No Tune - You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon (7th July --> 14th July 2008)

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It's time for another "Tune or No Tune" thread. All you need to do is decide whether the chosen song is a TUNE (i.e. you love it) or a NO TUNE (i.e. you hate it). Quite simple!

 

"You Can Call Me Al" was the first single released from Paul Simon's album Graceland. The song originally charted in the U.S. at #44 in October, 1986 but it was reissued with greater promotion in March, 1987 and hit #23. In the UK it peaked at #4.

 

The lyrics describe a man experiencing an identity crisis ("Where's my wife and family? What if I die here? Who'll be my role model?") which is ultimately resolved when he takes a trip to "the Third World".

 

The song features an unusual bass solo from Bakithi Kumalo in which the second half is a reversed recording of the first half. The bass solo was recorded on Kumalo's birthday.

 

The names in the song came from an incident at a party that Simon went to with his wife Peggy Harper. The host of the party called Paul "Al", and Peggy "Betty", inspiring Simon to write a song.

 

 

For those of you who haven't heard the song, here is a link to YouTube.

 

 

The poll closes in a week's time, which is Monday 14th July 2008. So make sure you vote now before the time for the latest "Tune or No Tune" poll finishes!

 

Also, if you want to suggest a tune for "Tune or No Tune", do not hesitate to drop Corki a PM.

This was overplayed on the radio station my dad used to listen to and I found it annoying after the first couple of times. No Tune for me.

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Tune for me. I felt the same way for a while el Nyn but after a break, I bought the album and when I heard it again, remembered what a great piece of fun music it was.  :)

Had to say TUNEcuz how can you not like this song... or especially the video!

TUNE

 

I can see how repeat play could cause you to dislike this song, but as a one off, it is good. Nice catchy beat to hum along to as well.

Love alot of Simon and Garfunkel, and when I saw the video for this one I liked it instantly.  Chevy Chase and Paul Simon were crazy together.  It is just a catchy tune, funny, witty and all that.  TUNE for me.

have the same feeling as El Nyn, because it was overly played here. But after a few years of not hearing it, I too changed and now am happy to listen to it when it's played from time to time. Wouldn't want to hear it 10 times a day though. But still, TUNE to me.

You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon was deemed a TUNE.

 

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