You Can Call Me Al
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "You Can Call Me Al" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Paul Simon | ||
| from the album Graceland | ||
| Released | October, 1986 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | 1986 | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 4:40 | |
| Label | Warner Bros. Records | |
| Producer(s) | Paul Simon | |
| Chart positions | ||
| Paul Simon singles chronology | ||
| "Think Too Much" (1983) |
"You Can Call Me Al" (1986) |
"Graceland" (1987) |
"You Can Call Me Al" sample is a song by Paul Simon, the first single released from his album Graceland. The song originally charted in the US at #44 in October, 1986 but it was reissued with greater promotion in March, 1987 and hit #23. In the UK it peaked at #4.
Paul Simon is reported to have not liked the original music video that was made and so, when he was appearing on Saturday Night Live, a replacement video was recorded, featuring Chevy Chase lip-synching the vocals whilst Simon plays various instruments.
The title You can call me Al echoes this pathos-filled stanza from the depression-era song Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? by Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney:
- Say, don't you remember, they called me Al,
- It was Al, all the time,
- Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal!
- Brother, can you spare a dime?
[edit] Uses of "You can call me Al"
During the 1992 campaign for the Presidency of the United States, politician Al Gore used the song as part of his bid for Vice President, which he campaigned for alongside running mate Bill Clinton.
The song is used as an unofficial theme for the Florida Gators basketball team (the school's mascot is Albert the Alligator). Traditionally, the pep band waits until the under eight minute or under four minute time out to play the song.
