Boy in the Bubble
Paul Simon
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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
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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.
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Collaboration & GenreThis 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.
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Musical StyleThe 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.
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Chart SuccessThis 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.
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Concept & MessageIts 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.
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InspirationThe "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.
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Live PerformancesPaul 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.
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Recognition & PraiseThe song has been praised by critics for its introspective lyrics, Simon's vocal performance, and its unique fusion of musical styles.
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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.'
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Tension With South AfricaThe 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.
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Documentary MentionThe 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.
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"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>.
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