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About

Genius Annotation

On track 4 of Paul Simon’s Graceland we are treated to three scenes where the main character finds himself socializing with three people and not making a good impression on himself. Each time he admits the knowledge of not seeming appealing to them after what he said, but is looking to redeem himself by assuring them that they could look at him from a different light. A definite course in avoiding humility.

“Gumboots” is what originally brought Paul Simon to South Africa and kicked off the creative process that was dreaming up Graceland. Originally recorded by the Boyoyo Boys, the story goes that Paul Simon received a tape from a friend that featured accordion and saxophone in a rock-oriented scope and immediately went out to investigate the origin of the sound. “Gumboots” was replayed by the Boyoyo Boys for the Graceland album and Paul Simon wrote these lyrics to be put on top.

A mix of similar music has been posted to SoundCloud and can be found here:
https://soundcloud.com/kleptones/hectic-city-15-paths-to-graceland-aka-gumboots-accordion-jive-hits-volume-two

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Credits
Featuring
Produced By
Synthesizer [Synclavier]
Percussion
Tambourine
Rhythm Guitar
Lead guitar
Engineer [Assistant At The Hit Factory]
Engineer [Assistant At Ovation Studios]
Recorded At
Ovation Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa; The Hit Factory, New York City, NY; Amigo Studios, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA; Abbey Road Studios, St. John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England; Master Trak Studio, Crowley, Los Angeles, CA
Release Date
August 25, 1986
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