Under African Skies

"Under African Skies" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the fifth and final single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. The song features guest vocals from singer Linda Ronstadt, who received top billing on the single release.

Background

"Under African Skies" originated in later recording sessions for Graceland. Simon flew over several South African musicians to New York to complete the record three months after the original sessions in Johannesburg,^[1] paying them triple union rates in order to lure them to record, as many did not know who he was.^[2] He also offered writer's royalties to those who he felt had contributed particularly to the song's compositions.^[3] These sessions also resulted in the lead single, "You Can Call Me Al".^[1]

Notes

Personnel

Paul Simon—lead vocals, guitar
Linda Ronstadt—additional vocals
Ray Phiri, Adrian Belew—guitar
Bakithi Kumalo—bass
Isaac Mtshali—drums
Ralph MacDonald, James Guyatt—percussion

References

1 2 Graceland (liner notes). Paul Simon. US: Warner Bros. Records. 1986. W1-25447.
↑ David Fricke (October 23, 1986). "African Odyssey". Rolling Stone. New York City: Wenner Media LLC (485): 77–80. ISSN 0035-791X.
↑ Stephen Holden (August 24, 1986). "Paul Simon Brings Home the Music of Black South Africa". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2014.

Sources

Bennighof, James (2007). The Words and Music of Paul Simon. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-99163-0.
Eliot, Marc (2010). Paul Simon: A Life. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-43363-8.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Paul Simon songs

Discography

The Paul Simon Songbook	"I Am a Rock"

Paul Simon	"Mother and Child Reunion" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" "Duncan"

There Goes Rhymin' Simon	"Kodachrome" "Loves Me Like a Rock" "American Tune" "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'	"The Sound of Silence"

Still Crazy After All These Years	"Gone at Last" "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" "Still Crazy After All These Years"

Greatest Hits, Etc.	"Slip Slidin' Away"

One-Trick Pony	"Stranded in a Limousine" "Late in the Evening" "One-Trick Pony" "Oh, Marion"

Hearts and Bones	"Allergies" "Think Too Much"

Graceland	"You Can Call Me Al" "Graceland" "The Boy in the Bubble" "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" "Under African Skies"

The Rhythm of the Saints	"The Obvious Child" "Proof" "Born at the Right Time"

You're the One	"Old" "You're the One"

Surprise	"Father and Daughter" "That's Me" "Outrageous"

So Beautiful or So What	"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" "The Afterlife"

Featured singles	"Wonderful World" "The Blues" "The Boxer" "New York Is My Home"

Other songs	"Something So Right" "St. Judy's Comet" "The Late Great Johnny Ace" "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" "Homeless" "Thelma"

Category

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