You Can Call Me Al
by Paul Simon
What is “You Can Call Me Al” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
In 'You Can Call Me Al,' Paul Simon captures a sense of dislocation and search for identity in a foreign landscape. Through a character's journey, the song explores themes of alienation and the desire for companionship.
So… what’s this song really about?
Paul Simon's 'You Can Call Me Al' uses a light-hearted, catchy tune to delve into deeper issues of personal crisis and existential searching. The protagonist of the song feels lost in an unfamiliar world, unable to connect with his surroundings or communicate effectively due to language and cultural barriers. This sense of alienation is juxtaposed with a whimsical chorus where he imagines a bond where he and 'Betty' could support and recognize each other beyond their surface identities.
The continual reference to being someone's 'bodyguard' and someone else being his 'long-lost pal' highlights a yearning for protection and friendship in a seemingly indifferent world. The lyrics intertwine this narrative of personal disorientation with vibrant, yet disorienting imagery of the foreign market, 'angels in the architecture,' and a mixture of spiritual exclamations, painting a picture of a man grappling to find meaning and belonging in a transient phase of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Paul Simon to write 'You Can Call Me Al'?
Paul Simon was inspired to write 'You Can Call Me Al' after his friend mistakenly called him 'Al' and his wife 'Betty' at a party, which sparked the theme of identity in the song.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'angels in the architecture' in the song?
The phrase 'angels in the architecture' in 'You Can Call Me Al' symbolizes a moment of spiritual or transcendental perception amidst confusion and disorientation.
Lyrics to “You Can Call Me Al”
64 Contributors
[Chorus]
Uh, if you would be my bodyguard, I can be your long-lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al
You can call me Al
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
A man walks down the street
It's a street in a strange world
Maybe it's the third world
Maybe it's his first time around
Doesn't speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound, the sound (Ooh, ooh)
[Pre-Chorus]
Of cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning in infinity, he says, "Amen," and, "Hallelujah"
[Chorus]
If you'd be my bodyguard, I can be your long-lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty, when you call me, you can call me Al
You can call me
[Post-Chorus]
Na, na, na-na, na, na, na-na
Na, na, na-na, na, na, na-na, na-na
Na, na, na-na, na-na, na-na, na, na
Na, na, na-na, na, na, na-na-na
[Instrumental Break]
[Outro]
If you'll be my bodyguard (Ooh)
I can call you Betty (Ooh)
If you'll be my bodyguard
I can call you Betty
If you'll be my bodyguard