Paul Simon – Graceland

One of the most important albums of the 1980s, Graceland (1986) blends American songwriting with South African township jive, mbaqanga and zydeco influences. Featuring collaborations with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and top South African session players, the album produced enduring classics like “You Can Call Me Al,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” and “The Boy in the Bubble.”

Beyond its commercial success, Graceland remains culturally significant for introducing global audiences to contemporary South African sounds during the apartheid era. It is both musically rich and historically important, making it a strong catalogue title that consistently sells well.

Track Listing

Side One
The Boy in the Bubble
Graceland
I Know What I Know
Gumboots
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

Side Two
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