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According to an article in the London Times, this is an account of Paul Simon's marriage break-up with his first wife Peggy Harper. The nine-year-old "travelling companion" he refers to is their son Harper, who three years later, at the age of 12 accompanied his father on the Graceland tour. Harper Simon developed into a singer-songwriter who since the mid-2000s has teamed up with his stepmother Edie Brickell.

Simon recorded some songs on the album in South Africa and used many African musicians on it. By naming the album after the home of Elvis, he is making the connection between African music and American Rock 'n' Roll. Many people consider Elvis the man who brought black music to a white audience, giving birth to Rock 'n' Roll.

This is the title track of Simon's most successful album, selling over 15 million copies and winning a Grammy for Album of the Year. It is an album focusing mostly on African music, but also explores other forms of non-mainstream music, like Zydeco. Simon considers this song to be less African-sounding than most of the other African-based tracks. The single also won Simon his third Record of the Year award. He'd previously won for "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Paul Simon's visit to South Africa was no easy task, as many nations were boycotting the country because of their racist apartheid policy. However, the United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee supported his efforts since he only recorded with black South African musicians and did not collaborate with the government in any way. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Regarding the lyrics, "There's a girl in New York City who calls herself the human trampoline," Simon explained to SongTalk magazine: "That line came to me when I was walking past the Museum of Natural History. For no reason I can think of. It's not related to anybody. Or anything. It just struck me as funny. Although that's an image that people remember, they talk about that line. But really, what interested me was the next line, because I was using the word 'Graceland' but it wasn't in the chorus. I was bringing 'Graceland' back into a verse. Which is one of the things I learned from African music: the recapitulation of themes can come in different places. "

This song features the work of fretless bass player Baghiti Khumalo and guitarist Ray Phiri. Phiri used certain chords not frequently used in African music, because he thought they sounded more like the chords in Simon's previous work.

Several months after the initial recording sessions, Nigerian pedal steel guitarist Demola Adepoju was added to the track. This added an instrument familiar to both American and African music.

This song has stood the test of time, but when it was released as a single, it only charted at #82 in the US. Its B-side was "Hearts and Bones," which can be found on the album of the same name, released three years prior to Graceland.

Graceland is the mansion in Memphis, Tennessee where Elvis Presley lived. Graceland is where Elvis is buried, and it now a museum and popular tourist attraction. Check out the Visual.

The album was one of many recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City. Many big-name performers recorded there, including Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen.

In a 1993 interview on Larry King Live, Simon said this was his favorite song.

Comments:

The opening line "Mississippi delta was shining like a National guitar" refers to a brand of wood and metal resonator type guitar.
- John Dowling, Exeter, NH

In Living Colour's "Elvis is Dead", the song quotes: "I've reason to believe we all won't be received in Graceland."
- Jackie, Virginia Beach, VA

I love the line "She comes back to tell me shes gone, as if i didnt know already, as if i didnt know my own bed". I think this line refers to the divorce from his second wife. Though short i consider that a very deep piece of lyric.
- manuel, puerto rico, United States

The song is about Paul and his son's trip to Memphis to visit Graceland. He obviously needed to get regrounded after his divorce. Doesn't every rock-n-roller want to make that pilgrimage to Graceland?
- Lalah, Wasilla, AK

The Everly Brothers sing background on this song.
- Dusty, Columbia , MO

Yes, he did consider it his best song ever, but he still didn't like all of it! He didn't like the line 'ghosts and empty sockets' - and for what it's worth, I don't like the line immediately after 'ghosts and empties'! To a Brit, 'empties' are empty beer or milk bottles!
- John, Guildford, England

The name of the group performing with Paul on this is "Ladysmith Black Mambazo".
- Mike, Atlanta, GA

There are a lot of technical facts on this page regarding the song. I'm interested in knowing what Paul's thoughts were about the meaning of the song. To me, it is about our need to receive Grace as we get older. The more mistakes we make, the more aware we are of our need for Grace. I think these last lines really illustrate it well: "And I may be obliged to defend Every love, every ending Or maybe there's no obligations now Maybe I've a reason to believe We all will be received In Graceland" I love the way Paul uses the metaphor of Graceland.
- Bettsi, Citrus Heights, CA

Simon considers this song his best work.
- Shelli, Madison, WI