According to Paul Simon himself, this song is about a guy having a midlife crisis. He's in his forties and what does he have to show for it? The first two verses is the guy lamenting on how lost he is. - He's not married - Never made a difference in life - Doesn't have brutality to deal with people who did it "better" in life than he did. - Is a softy in a world which demands him to be tough as nails - Is afraid to take any stance in the political climate (The Eighties, cold war, NOT a pleasant time.) And who's worried about where to go on. Until he meets this woman asks her "Can I make an alliance with you?" reasoning that with her on his side he at least has an ally with who he can face those challenges of daily life together with. But the third verse is about Paul Simon himself, how blown away he was by the South African townships, the positive mental attitude the people had and how it rubbed off on him. Finding happiness in this totally alien world.
This is a song that just makes you happy inside and youre not sure why. I love lyrics and Paul has the most interesting , clever and baffling lyrics ever. And all the African beats/ instrumentation are amazing.
Paul Simon was a darling of a musical guest on Saturday Night Live back in the day. That's Chevy Chase of the original Sat Night Live 'not ready for primetime players'.
I have always loved this song, long before I ever saw the video which is hilarious! That is a funny story about thinking Chevy Chase was Paul😂. Thanks for doing this‼️. Would love to see you do any of Paul Simon's sets on his Graceland album. A masterpiece from start to finish.
I love this song. It’s so fun & upbeat. And they did such a good job with the video. The expressions on Chevy’s face -priceless! Ans Paul looking so serious. It’s hilarious. Lol
To have a great Hollywood actor in ur film clip, Chevy Chase is brilliant to learn the song & be able to mime it perefctly, so is Paul Simon is brilliant of course
I loved the bit at 03:08 where Chevy thinks the drum stand is a table and drops his water through it. Never noticed that before abd ive watched this dozens of times lol 😊 great reaction again Harri
Loved seeing this! My Father's name was Al as well as my oldest brother and they got such a kick watching this video. I miss my Daddy but this made my day, brought a fond memory and a smile. Thanks Harri. ❤
Absolutely one of my favorite songs. The music makes the lyrics unforgettable. The lyrics get stuck in my brain. "If you'll be my bodyguard I can be your long lost pal" "I can call you Betty And Betty you can call me Al " I start singing this song whenever I meet anyone named Al!
Great video reaction Harri. Did you ever hear Graceland off the same album as this song? You are a big Elvis fan so you will appreciate the sentiment as Paul Simon travels to see the home of Elvis. We"re travl8ing to Graceland...and I have reason to believe that we will all be received at Graceland " what a wonderful thing to anticipate
Love this, my daughter and I used to act this song out, I was Paul Simon, we actually acted out the whole of Gracelands album,. Years later my son who is 18 years younger than his sister showed me this video, thinking it was the best 😊
Two of my favourite people in the world.. I love the understated humour...it's so much funnier than slapstick. Sophisticated. I would love to see the out takes...they had to be hysterical...lol...
Lovely story Harri, loved it. As well as The Beatles, Paul Simon was another great influence on me. He did his degree in English, Art did his in Maths. I caught his goodbye concert, absolutely brilliant. All along he worked a lot with black musicians, they were very much to the fore in the 1st concert of his I went to in 1975. His courage & brilliance can be seen in the move from Bridge over Troubled Water to his 1st solo Paul Simon LP.
I remember when this came out and it was one of my favorite videos at the time. Chevy Chase, always his silly self, who lip synched quite well here, and the amazing musical talent of Paul Simon - so entertaining!
Paul Simon did make a movie: "One Trick Pony". It was a flop, sadly, because there are some awesome songs on the soundtrack. I suggest starting with Late in the Evening.
Nice one Harri. can imagine your confusion. Another fun Paul Simon video is for the 80's version of 'Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard', with a cameo from a few American sporting greats.
I just came across this. I was in college when it came out, with no cable so didn't watch videos. I was very familiar but had no clue that he put Chevy in his video! I laughed so hard when I got home during summer and saw the video!
I never noticed till now that when Chevy Chase was done with a prop (such as a glass of water), he attempted to set it down on the drum stand (which, to be fair, does look like an end table), and you see the prop fall to the ground. Then, of course, he later brings the drum stand around so Paul Simon could put the bongo in it. It's a great gag, that just elevates this video further. I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't notice it every previous time I watched this music video.
The whole Graceland album was recorded in South Africa and without it the world would never have heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo! you know by now Paul Simon is the little one!. Great reaction Harri; you have to do other songs from it; pick anything at all from it, it's all great. Locked down peace, love & music. p.s Paul was in a Woody movie; Annie Hall. Great movie.
About Paul Simon's talents as an actor, he played the lead role in a movie called "One trick pony" But you really should look up his performance of "Still crazy after all these years" on Saturday night live's Thanksgiving special where he was dressed up in a Turkey Costume. He gives a performance which would make even the most seasoned comic look like an amateur. Look it up, it's hilarious.
Grew up in the 80's and loved the movie Fletch which reminds me of this video The water glass is something Fletch would totally do Then he'd charge the repairs to the Underhill's account along with 2 steak sandwiches
Paul Simon had been an actor in a movie-1980-one trick pony and the two paul Simon and Chevy chase had did the song -means Julio down by the schoolyard about fourteen years earlier I saterday night live in -1972👌
Would love to see you react to "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes" by Paul Simon on Graceland album. My favorite...also...Me and Julio in the school yard is a fun one.
Paul Simon has been an actor in this movie- one trick pony-1980 and the two guys paul Simon and chevry chase had played together this way about fourteen years earlier doing his song means Julio down by th
So fun. It was an SNL skit that played up Paul's and Chevy's sketch personas on the show. Chevy was a regular showboater and Paul was a brilliant but long-suffering guest musician. I'm guessing it didn't take the writers long to put these two together. Also, Al and Tipper Gore danced to this song at his VP inaugural ball.
Paul Simon promoted a lot of South African musical acts while promoting the album Graceland. "Diamonds on the Soles of His Shoes" has a great intro by a band called Ladysmith Black Mambazo who recorded the backing tracks on a lot of the tracks on Graceland.
I always thought how alike they look in this video, apart from the size difference they could be brothers. Paul Simon shows he can improvise too in the comedy mockumentary 'All you need is cash' , about the fictitious band The Rutles. He uses his recognitions of The Beatle era, but substitutes flawlessly with deadpan references to the members of The Rutles. You should check out the film, it was one of the projects made with George Harrison's film company and features Monty Python's Eric Idle, with Neil Innes' affectionate and accurate song parodies of Beatles songs. Maybe once you've done all The Beatles reactions (admittedly that will take some time) check out some of The Rutles songs, at first it's a game of guessing the various reference points, but then you begin to see Neil Innes Beatlesque versions as very clever and memorable in their own right.
The most hilarious part of the reaction was 'has he done any movies... he could be another Woody Allen' - Im sure someone has mentioned it below but Simon was in a Woody Allen film, one of his finest, Annie Hall, check it out. Also Simon appearing on Chevy's SNL singing his fantastic music dressed convincingly as a turkey as it was Thanksgiving (major US holiday) his humor is great. What a fantastic lyricist
You've gotta look up, One Trick Pony. I don't know why, but the movie seems to be hard to find. I've always loved the movie and album. The guys that are in his band are actually studio musicians.
This is a song about misidentification and misdirection. The lyrics were inspired by a party in South Africa where the host kept misnaming Simon and his wife as “Al and Bette,” respectively. In the music video, comedian Cheney Chase lip-syncs the lead vocals while Paul Simon pretends to do all of the instrumentals. It is one of the best videos of all-time. Very clever and funny!
Imagine today if you proposed artistically to produce a video in a literal empty white room with two simple chairs and a few musical instruments that get used every now and then, with just two guys wearing casual regular clothing. You’d be laughed out of the industry. I remember when this video came out (and the album) and it was an instant classic.
Paul Simon wrote this after attending a Hollywood party. One of the guests kept calling his date Betty. If you like this, check out his Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes in concert.
I did a little lookup once to get to the bottom of that name- wordplay. Turns out it was like an inside joke of Paul and his wife. A guest was leaving their party once and totally botched the exiting line as he went out the door, maybe since he was foreigner. He called them "Betty and Al" instead of Peggy and Paul.
Two recommendations: 1. another amusing video: Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFarrin 2. Another album by a pop star where he is exploring the sounds and rhythms of African music: Tap Root Manuscript by Neal Diamond.
Paul Simon movie "One Trick Poney". Here's a little acting on Saturday Night Live in a turkey suit..very funny. ua-cam.com/video/lYJTq75vc5c/v-deo.html and you are right, he is a lot like Woody Allen.
Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Amos Moses Alex Harvey Band-Sharks Teeth Alex Harvey Band framed live 1974 Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses. Alex Harvey Band - The Faith Healer Alex Harvey Band the man in the jar Alex Harvey Band - Jungle Rub Out Alex Harvey Band - $25 for a Massage The Tale Of The Giant Stoneater
You can listen to all of Simon's "Graceland" songs, they are exceptional. Simon's artistic peak as a soloist.
I like Rhythm of the Saints even more than Graceland.
Graceland is one of the most important albums ever made
DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES!!!!!
According to Paul Simon himself, this song is about a guy having a midlife crisis. He's in his forties and what does he have to show for it? The first two verses is the guy lamenting on how lost he is.
- He's not married
- Never made a difference in life
- Doesn't have brutality to deal with people who did it "better" in life than he did.
- Is a softy in a world which demands him to be tough as nails
- Is afraid to take any stance in the political climate (The Eighties, cold war, NOT a pleasant time.)
And who's worried about where to go on. Until he meets this woman asks her "Can I make an alliance with you?" reasoning that with her on his side he at least has an ally with who he can face those challenges of daily life together with.
But the third verse is about Paul Simon himself, how blown away he was by the South African townships, the positive mental attitude the people had and how it rubbed off on him. Finding happiness in this totally alien world.
This is a song that just makes you happy inside and youre not sure why. I love lyrics and Paul has the most interesting , clever and baffling lyrics ever. And all the African beats/ instrumentation are amazing.
Paul Simon was a darling of a musical guest on Saturday Night Live back in the day. That's Chevy Chase of the original Sat Night Live 'not ready for primetime players'.
I love it..
Check out Diamonds on the soles of her shoes...Paul Simon
I have always loved this song, long before I ever saw the video which is hilarious! That is a funny story about thinking Chevy Chase was Paul😂. Thanks for doing this‼️. Would love to see you do any of Paul Simon's sets on his Graceland album. A masterpiece from start to finish.
Paul is prominent in the Short Guys Matter movement : )
I love this song. It’s so fun & upbeat. And they did such a good job with the video. The expressions on Chevy’s face -priceless! Ans Paul looking so serious. It’s hilarious. Lol
This was my late moms favorite song. I played this for her the day she died at a hospice. I think she heard it.
That’s awesome you did that. 🍻
Paul Simon made some songs with some Africans that was quite incredible.
South Africans in particular... and during the Aparteid. This is some very important and interesting context.
Totally forgot this video. Both Paul and Chevy at the heights of their career. Hilarious 🤣🤣😁
Absolutely agree. Love love love it.
To have a great Hollywood actor in ur film clip, Chevy Chase is brilliant to learn the song & be able to mime it perefctly, so is Paul Simon is brilliant of course
I loved the bit at 03:08 where Chevy thinks the drum stand is a table and drops his water through it. Never noticed that before abd ive watched this dozens of times lol 😊 great reaction again Harri
African music in general is so good, I find something incredibly soothing in it.
Loved seeing this! My Father's name was Al as well as my oldest brother and they got such a kick watching this video. I miss my Daddy but this made my day, brought a fond memory and a smile. Thanks Harri. ❤
Paul Simon was in the Woody Allen film “Annie Hall”, and “One Trick Pony”.. in addition he did the soundtrack for “The Graduate”. Incredible talent
Paul Simon wrote this song after someone at a party called him "Al" all evening.
I thought his date was called Betty. Oh well, got to stop spreading fake news!
Graceland is an iconic album. One of those must listen to albums
I love when you tell stories about your experience with the songs
Absolutely one of my favorite songs.
The music makes the lyrics unforgettable. The lyrics get stuck in my brain.
"If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal"
"I can call you Betty
And Betty you can call me Al "
I start singing this song whenever I meet anyone named Al!
Great video reaction Harri. Did you ever hear Graceland off the same album as this song? You are a big Elvis fan so you will appreciate the sentiment as Paul Simon travels to see the home of Elvis. We"re travl8ing to Graceland...and I have reason to believe that we will all be received at Graceland " what a wonderful thing to anticipate
There's just something so cool about you! You'll love Diamonds in the Soles of Her Shoes!
Played this song so many times I wore my record and track 8 song out. Played it on a job I worked at in Alberta.
Love this, my daughter and I used to act this song out, I was Paul Simon, we actually acted out the whole of Gracelands album,. Years later my son who is 18 years younger than his sister showed me this video, thinking it was the best 😊
Two of my favourite people in the world.. I love the understated humour...it's so much funnier than slapstick. Sophisticated. I would love to see the out takes...they had to be hysterical...lol...
If I'm going to listen to this song I want to watch this video with it! Yes, definitely top 10.😎😎😎😎
Lovely story Harri, loved it. As well as The Beatles, Paul Simon was another great influence on me. He did his degree in English, Art did his in Maths. I caught his goodbye concert, absolutely brilliant. All along he worked a lot with black musicians, they were very much to the fore in the 1st concert of his I went to in 1975. His courage & brilliance can be seen in the move from Bridge over Troubled Water to his 1st solo Paul Simon LP.
Paul Simon has acted in several movies. Woody Allen's "Annie Hall" comes to mind.
One Trick Pony is quite a good film that few people remember anymore.
I always remember Paul morosely moping around on SNL in a turkey costume.
Loved the story. LOL ❤️🙏😇
I remember when this came out and it was one of my favorite videos at the time. Chevy Chase, always his silly self, who lip synched quite well here, and the amazing musical talent of Paul Simon - so entertaining!
This is hilarious! Always loved this! Glad you love it, too! That’s funny-your initial reaction! Paul Simon is a musical genius! ❤️🎶
Gotta love the music of the 80s.. we were so fortunate.
One of my favorites too. Paul is great and Chevy Chase is hilarious. He used to pantomime during the news segment on Saturday Night Live
Paul Simon did make a movie: "One Trick Pony". It was a flop, sadly, because there are some awesome songs on the soundtrack. I suggest starting with Late in the Evening.
Nice one Harri. can imagine your confusion. Another fun Paul Simon video is for the 80's version of 'Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard', with a cameo from a few American sporting greats.
I just came across this. I was in college when it came out, with no cable so didn't watch videos. I was very familiar but had no clue that he put Chevy in his video! I laughed so hard when I got home during summer and saw the video!
Great reaction Harry!
Fantastic absolutely
I never noticed till now that when Chevy Chase was done with a prop (such as a glass of water), he attempted to set it down on the drum stand (which, to be fair, does look like an end table), and you see the prop fall to the ground. Then, of course, he later brings the drum stand around so Paul Simon could put the bongo in it. It's a great gag, that just elevates this video further. I'm a little embarrassed that I didn't notice it every previous time I watched this music video.
The whole Graceland album was recorded in South Africa and without it the world would never have heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo! you know by now Paul Simon is the little one!. Great reaction Harri; you have to do other songs from it; pick anything at all from it, it's all great. Locked down peace, love & music.
p.s Paul was in a Woody movie; Annie Hall. Great movie.
The music of Paul Simon puts him up there with the great American songwriters. You really should listen to Graceland!
About Paul Simon's talents as an actor, he played the lead role in a movie called "One trick pony" But you really should look up his performance of "Still crazy after all these years" on Saturday night live's Thanksgiving special where he was dressed up in a Turkey Costume. He gives a performance which would make even the most seasoned comic look like an amateur. Look it up, it's hilarious.
Wake reaction Harri. I love this song. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I also love the video makes me laugh every time.😀👍❤️✌️🌼
You don't even need to know Simon & Garfunkel. This video just brings You joy :)
I agree, Harri….one of the best video’s EVER!! Paul Simon…what a concept. ❤️🔥
Grew up in the 80's and loved the movie Fletch which reminds me of this video
The water glass is something Fletch would totally do
Then he'd charge the repairs to the Underhill's account along with 2 steak sandwiches
Paul Simon had been an actor in a movie-1980-one trick pony and the two paul Simon and Chevy chase had did the song -means Julio down by the schoolyard about fourteen years earlier I saterday night live in -1972👌
OMG.. I love this reaction! 😂😎❤️
Would love to see you react to "Diamonds on the soles of her shoes" by Paul Simon on Graceland album. My favorite...also...Me and Julio in the school yard is a fun one.
Paul Simon has been an actor in this movie- one trick pony-1980 and the two guys paul Simon and chevry chase had played together this way about fourteen years earlier doing his song means Julio down by th
So fun. It was an SNL skit that played up Paul's and Chevy's sketch personas on the show. Chevy was a regular showboater and Paul was a brilliant but long-suffering guest musician. I'm guessing it didn't take the writers long to put these two together. Also, Al and Tipper Gore danced to this song at his VP inaugural ball.
Mother and child reunion is a good one
My favorite music video of all time.
Paul Simon promoted a lot of South African musical acts while promoting the album Graceland. "Diamonds on the Soles of His Shoes" has a great intro by a band called Ladysmith Black Mambazo who recorded the backing tracks on a lot of the tracks on Graceland.
love your Paul Simon story.
I always thought how alike they look in this video, apart from the size difference they could be brothers. Paul Simon shows he can improvise too in the comedy mockumentary 'All you need is cash' , about the fictitious band The Rutles. He uses his recognitions of The Beatle era, but substitutes flawlessly with deadpan references to the members of The Rutles. You should check out the film, it was one of the projects made with George Harrison's film company and features Monty Python's Eric Idle, with Neil Innes' affectionate and accurate song parodies of Beatles songs. Maybe once you've done all The Beatles reactions (admittedly that will take some time) check out some of The Rutles songs, at first it's a game of guessing the various reference points, but then you begin to see Neil Innes Beatlesque versions as very clever and memorable in their own right.
Hahahahaha! Brilliant! Thanks for the joy! Hah!
You want to see Paul Simon being funny watch his Thanksgiving performance as a turkey on SNL
Paul Simon was in the movie Annie Hall with Woody Allen and Diane Keaton
Paul Simon was in the movie Annie Hall, written and directed by (and starring) Woody Allen!
I played this song so many times I wore it out
Wow! You’re the first reactor that I’ve seen to get it!! I love this and I’m happy that u did!👏🏻👏🏻
Loved ur story, love this song.
Always cheers me up.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. 🖖🏻✌🏻
Paul Simon reminds me of a grown-up version of Randy from A CHRISTMAS STORY.
The most hilarious part of the reaction was 'has he done any movies... he could be another Woody Allen' - Im sure someone has mentioned it below but Simon was in a Woody Allen film, one of his finest, Annie Hall, check it out. Also Simon appearing on Chevy's SNL singing his fantastic music dressed convincingly as a turkey as it was Thanksgiving (major US holiday) his humor is great. What a fantastic lyricist
It is surprising a little bit every time it is watched.
Great fun!
Chevy Chase is soooo classic
This was, invariably, a long-running visual short joke. Hahahah! Chevy did hilarious movies and he was major SNL star.
You've gotta look up, One Trick Pony. I don't know why, but the movie seems to be hard to find. I've always loved the movie and album. The guys that are in his band are actually studio musicians.
This is a song about misidentification and misdirection. The lyrics were inspired by a party in South Africa where the host kept misnaming Simon and his wife as “Al and Bette,” respectively. In the music video, comedian Cheney Chase lip-syncs the lead vocals while Paul Simon pretends to do all of the instrumentals. It is one of the best videos of all-time. Very clever and funny!
Chevy Chase is such a nut. Lol🤪😄
Imagine today if you proposed artistically to produce a video in a literal empty white room with two simple chairs and a few musical instruments that get used every now and then, with just two guys wearing casual regular clothing. You’d be laughed out of the industry. I remember when this video came out (and the album) and it was an instant classic.
Paul Simon wrote this after attending a Hollywood party. One of the guests kept calling his date Betty. If you like this, check out his Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes in concert.
It is a fantastic video
When my dad saw the video he said he didn't know Chevy played the saxophone!
Watch Chevy Chase when he sits his glass and baton on it.
It's actually drum stand.
Love.
Paul Simon did make a movie: Check out the movie One Trick Pony, and the fantastic album from the movie.
I did a little lookup once to get to the bottom of that name- wordplay. Turns out it was like an inside joke of Paul and his wife. A guest was leaving their party once and totally botched the exiting line as he went out the door, maybe since he was foreigner. He called them "Betty and Al" instead of Peggy and Paul.
The ENTIRE Graceland album was a masterpiece.
The entire Graceland album is a masterpiece!
When Pluto yransited in Libra in 1986, it is about halfway through the zodiac spawning this video which is about Paul Simon's mid-life crisis.
I can call you Betty.
Two recommendations:
1. another amusing video: Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFarrin
2. Another album by a pop star where he is exploring the sounds and rhythms of African music: Tap Root Manuscript by Neal Diamond.
Paul Simon movie "One Trick Poney". Here's a little acting on Saturday Night Live in a turkey suit..very funny. ua-cam.com/video/lYJTq75vc5c/v-deo.html and you are right, he is a lot like Woody Allen.
I third (or forth) One Trick Pony......
He was in a movie. I think One Trick Pony is the name of it
Since you enjoyed Paul Simon's comedy chops, here's another. Happy Thanksgiving:
ua-cam.com/video/lYJTq75vc5c/v-deo.html
Graceland is his masterpiece
Dont worry be happy is also a funny Music video
"One Trick Pony"
This is how everyone should act when meeting a new friend.
I would be happy to invite your family over for a BBQ.
I'm in Canada.🤗
Yes please!
Paul Simon is now a Director of some educational institution teaching rock music (or conservatory of music).
The video is funny but it tends to make people miss the amazing lyrics, which manage to be both poetic and sarcastic.
Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Amos Moses
Alex Harvey Band-Sharks Teeth
Alex Harvey Band framed live 1974
Alex Harvey Band - Midnight Moses.
Alex Harvey Band - The Faith Healer
Alex Harvey Band the man in the jar
Alex Harvey Band - Jungle Rub Out
Alex Harvey Band - $25 for a Massage
The Tale Of The Giant Stoneater
Song suggestion: Paul Simon 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.
Put Chevy Chase in anything and it's going to be funny.