While considered, in many circles, to be one of the greatest American songwriters of the last half of the 20th Century, Paul Simon was in a real commercial tailspin at the beginning of the 1980's, he had a few albums tank commercially and was disheartened. Enter Heidi Berg, a songwriter who was mutual friends with Paul and SNL creator Lorne Michaels, she lent him a cassette (it was the 80's) of a band called The Beyoyo Boys. Paul was inspired by the instrumental "Gumboots: Accordian Jive Volume II" and wrote lyrics for the song. It was the creative catalyst he needed and booked a trip to Johannesburg, SA to explore the culture and make some recordings. It was the beginning of what became the 'Graceland' album, which revived Paul's lagging career and went on to sell 16 million copies. Way to pull out of the tailspin, Paul! Happy Birthday!
Brits The Blue Aeroplanes provide the cover
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