Boy in the Bubble

Paul Simon

About Boy in the Bubble

"The Boy in the Bubble" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the third single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon and Forere Motloheloa (an accordionist from Lesotho), its lyrics explore starvation and terrorism, juxtaposed with wit and optimism. The single—released in September 1987—performed well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at No. 15. Outside the U. S., "The Boy in the Bubble" was a top 20 hit in the Netherlands, and top 30 in the United Kingdom and Belgium. 


Year:
1986
3:59
38 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

It was a slow day
And the sun was beating
On the soldiers by the side of the road
There was a bright light
A shattering of shop windows
The bomb in the baby carriage
Was wired to the radio

These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all

The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby, don't cry
Don't cry

It was a dry wind
And it swept across the desert
And it curled into the circle of birth
And the dead sand
Falling on the children
The mothers and the fathers
And the automatic earth

These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all, oh yeah

The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby, don't cry
Don't cry

It's a turn-around jump shot
It's everybody jump start
It's every generation throws a hero up the pop charts
Medicine is magical and magical is art
The boy in the bubble
And the baby with the baboon heart

And I believe
These are the days of lasers in the jungle
Lasers in the jungle somewhere
Staccato signals of constant information
A loose affiliation of millionaires
And billionaires and baby

These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all, oh yeah

The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry baby, don't cry
Don't cry, don't cry

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Paul Simon

Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an award-winning musician whose talents in composing, performing, and vocal harmony placed him at the forefront of the singer-songwriters on an international scale. Simon's fame, influence and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts: "The Sounds of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo split up in 1970 at the height of their popularity, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African… more »

6 fans

Written by: Forere Motlhoheloa, Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Album Release
"Boy in the Bubble" is a song by American musician Paul Simon. It was released as the third single from his seventh studio album, "Graceland," in 1986.
Collaboration & Genre
This song is a result of Simon's collaboration with South African musicians, showcasing a mix of American pop music with South African township music, frequently classified as worldbeat.
Musical Style
The song's distinctive bass run is played by Bakithi Kumalo, the South African bassist. The song also features accordion solos, an instrument common with South African music.
Chart Success
This song achieved moderate success in the charts. It peaked at #15 on the UK Singles Chart, and though it didn't chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., it reached #5 on the Album Rock Tracks chart.
Concept & Message
Its lyrics contrast advanced technology (the titular 'bubble') with South African culture and humanity's essential problems (war, suffering), reflecting Simon's commentary on the human condition in the face of technological progress.
Inspiration
The "boy in the bubble" phrase was inspired by the story of David Vetter, a boy with a rare genetic disorder who lived in a sterile plastic bubble.
Live Performances
Paul Simon frequently performs "Boy in the Bubble" in live concerts. A live rendition is included in his popular "Paul Simon's Concert in the Park" album.
Recognition & Praise
The song has been praised by critics for its introspective lyrics, Simon's vocal performance, and its unique fusion of musical styles.
Cover Versions
"The Boy in the Bubble" has been covered by various artists over the years, such as Peter Gabriel on his 2010 covers album, 'Scratch My Back.'
Tension With South Africa
The recording of this song, and the album "Graceland," elevated Paul Simon to greatness but also sparked controversy. At the time, South Africa was under apartheid, and international artists were discouraged from collaborating with South African artists under a cultural boycott.
Documentary Mention
The process of recording the song was included in the documentary "Under African Skies," which honored the 25th anniversary of the release of the "Graceland" album.

Discuss the Boy in the Bubble Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Boy in the Bubble Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/26355499/Paul+Simon/Boy+in+the+Bubble>.

    Missing lyrics by Paul Simon?

    Know any other songs by Paul Simon? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Boy in the Bubble

    3M
    9,156     575

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    What is the name of the person who performed the song "Never Gonna Give You Up"?
    A RickRoll
    B Rick Assley
    C Rick Astley
    D Rick Ashley

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Paul Simon's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    Paul Simon tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!