Homeless (Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo song)

The song was the first recorded by Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo for Simon's album Graceland. The song launched the international career of the South African group and introduced Zulu isicathimiya music to new western audiences.^[2] Shabalala provided the music, from the melody of a traditional Zulu wedding tune, and new Zulu words. Simon provided the English lyrics.^[3] The text has been taken as protest music,^[4] though Shabalala has said that the phrase "we are homeless" is similar to the words a Zulu uses when proposing to his bride.^[5]^[6]

Personnel

Paul Simon—lead vocals
Joseph Shabalala—vocals
Ladysmith Black Mambazo—vocals

References

↑ Walter Bernhart, Werner Wolf, David L. Mosley Word and Music Studies: Essays on the Song Cycle 2001 "The fact that the song "Homeless" was co-written with Ladysmith Black Mambazo lead singer Joseph Shabalala reinforces the collaborative effort. The album was recorded in South Africa, the U.S., and England. ...Undoubtedly, the degree of African influence on the music of Graceland varies greatly: while "Homeless" is a fully integrated collaboration between Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the last two tracks on the album, "That Was Your ..."
↑ Mary Fitzpatrick South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland 2004 p.58 "Ladysmith's Zulu isicathimiya music, enjoying renewed popularity ever since the group guested on the Graceland song 'Homeless', is a prime example of the way traditional South African music used Western influences to produce unique musical styles.
↑ Veit Erlmann Nightsong: Performance, Power, and Practice in South Africa 1996 p. 94 "The role of Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the making of the album consists, in a nutshell, of the coauthoring by Paul Simon and Joseph Shabalala of "Homeless" and of the introduction in "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes""
↑ Jonathan C. Friedman The Routledge History of Social Protest in Popular Music 2013 p. 315 "Although Ladysmith Black Mambazo is not often associated with protest music, some of their songs also point out the inhumanity of apartheid, especially with regard to causing problems related to crime and poverty. “Homeless” is.."
↑ The World & I 1987 Volume 2, Issue 10 - p.215 "But at the same time, Shabalala has explained that the phrase "we are homeless" is very similar to the words a Zulu uses when proposing to ..."
↑ Linda Flower The Construction of Negotiated Meaning 1994 "In the Public Eye One inescapable feature of "Homeless" is that its meaning(s) seems literally constructed out of multiple voices ... However, even that trademark style of Shabalala and the Ladysmith Black Mambazo is itself a hybrid — a Zulu ..."

Paul Simon songs

Discography

The Paul Simon Songbook	"I Am a Rock"

Paul Simon	"Mother and Child Reunion" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" "Duncan"

There Goes Rhymin' Simon	"Kodachrome" "Loves Me Like a Rock" "American Tune" "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'	"The Sound of Silence"

Still Crazy After All These Years	"Gone at Last" "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" "Still Crazy After All These Years"

Greatest Hits, Etc.	"Slip Slidin' Away"

One-Trick Pony	"Stranded in a Limousine" "Late in the Evening" "One-Trick Pony" "Oh, Marion"

Hearts and Bones	"Allergies" "Think Too Much"

Graceland	"You Can Call Me Al" "Graceland" "The Boy in the Bubble" "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" "Under African Skies"

The Rhythm of the Saints	"The Obvious Child" "Proof" "Born at the Right Time"

You're the One	"Old" "You're the One"

Surprise	"Father and Daughter" "That's Me" "Outrageous"

So Beautiful or So What	"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" "The Afterlife"

Featured singles	"Wonderful World" "The Blues" "The Boxer" "New York Is My Home"

Other songs	"Something So Right" "St. Judy's Comet" "The Late Great Johnny Ace" "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" "Homeless" "Thelma"

Category

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