About the song
Let’s embark on a musical journey with the infectious rhythm of “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon. Released in 1986 as part of his album “Graceland,” this song is a true testament to Simon’s genius as a songwriter and performer.
Penned solely by Paul Simon himself, “You Can Call Me Al” is a quirky, yet irresistibly catchy tune that blends elements of pop, rock, and world music. Simon’s witty lyrics, coupled with the lively instrumentation featuring elements of South African township music, create a vibrant and uplifting sonic experience.
Upon its release, “You Can Call Me Al” quickly gained traction on the charts, peaking at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Its unique sound and infectious melody also resonated with audiences worldwide, earning it favorable positions on charts across the globe.
Beyond its commercial success, “You Can Call Me Al” has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Its memorable music video, featuring comedian Chevy Chase lip-syncing Simon’s lyrics, became an iconic staple of 1980s MTV. The song’s catchy chorus and playful lyrics have also made it a favorite for cover artists and a popular choice for movie soundtracks and commercials.
So, whether you’re revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, “You Can Call Me Al” is sure to leave you tapping your feet and humming along to its infectious melody.
Video
Lyrics
A man walks down the street
He says, “Why am I soft in the middle, now?
Why am I soft in the middle?
The rest of my life is so hard
I need a photo-opportunity
I want a shot at redemption
Don’t want to end up a cartoon
In a cartoon graveyard”
Bonedigger, Bonedigger
Dogs in the moonlight
Far away in my well-lit door
Mr. Beerbelly, Beerbelly
Get these mutts away from me
You know, I don’t find this stuff amusing anymore
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al
A man walks down the street
He says, “Why am I short of attention?
Got a short little span of attention
And, whoa, my nights are so long
Where’s my wife and family?
What if I die here?
Who’ll be my role model
Now that my role model is gone, gone?”
He ducked back down the alley
With some roly-poly little bat-faced girl
All along, along
There were incidents and accidents
There were hints and allegations
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al
Call me Al
A man walks down the street
It’s a street in a strange world
Maybe it’s the third world
Maybe it’s his first time around
Doesn’t speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound, the sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity
He says, “Amen and Hallelujah!”
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al
Call me
Na na na na, na na na na
Na na na na, na na na-na na-na
Na na na na, na-na na-na na na
Na na na na, na na na na
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can call you Betty
If you’ll be my bodyguard
I can call you Betty
If you’ll be my bodyguard