Paul Simon – American Tune

General CommentYes, the music of "An American Tune" is in a sense a "flagrant rip-off," since it's at least 400 years old, which is when it turned up in a love song by the German Baroque composer Hans Hassler. And =he= probably stole it from an old Bavarian folk song.

It was next stolen by no less a personage than Johann Sebastian Bach as a motif for his "St Matthew Passion," and soon became a utiltity tune for singing many different hymns in the Protestant church.

So it was a favorite of the Pilgrims when they came to America, and eventually was used by the American labor movement for some of their marching songs.

And that was why singer-songwriter Tom Glazer chose it for "The Whole World Around," a song he wrote for the folk group The Weavers (which included Pete Seeger), later popularized as "Because All Men Are Brothers" by Peter Paul & Mary.

As the saying goes, "Good artists borrow, great artists steal outright."

So we have to assume that Simon had his tongue in his cheek when he call the song "An American Tune," since like most Americans, the song is an immigrant.

Paul Simon began thinking about writing the song in the early 1970s during the preparations for the American Bicentennial in 1976. He was planning something upbeat, with a reference to the American Moon Landing in 1969

But by 1972, Watergate happened, the economy was in a tailspin, and the antiwar movement and civil rights movements had become increasingly violent. And he and Art Garfunkel stopped performing. There was a lot of talk about the "decline of the American Empire," and some people were wondering if we would even make it to the Bicentennial in one piece.

There's a story that Simon actually had the dream, which is spelled out clearly in the song, of hovering high above New York Harbor, watching the Statue of Liberty sail away over the horizon. And when he woke up, the song wrote itself.

The point of the song, I think, is the same as that of Arlo Guthrie's "Patriot's Dream." We can't give up on the struggle for freedom, even when times are hard and things look hopeless.

Hmm. Might be time for another cover of this one.



When

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  @tappanking
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  Borrowed.... not stolen.

  Flag joe6packon April 14, 2010  

General CommentMy interpretation is that this most definitely is NOT an uplifting song (or song of hope). It is, indeed, a beautifully written and performed song...but it is a tragic song ("tragic" is probably too dramatic of a word).

I think it's a wake up for a dose of reality song. Despite the American Dream, we all are weary and battered...and unfulfilled. In each verse, the protagonist settles, or acquiesces, as he tells himself "it's alright, it's alright"...for we live so well so long...I'm just weary to my bones...you can't be forever blessed...

In each case, the protagonist tries to convince us or makes an excuse for accepting the disillusionment (that has existed since the Mayflower days...in other words, the "uncertain times" existed during the birth of the Nation, and will continue (forever?).

It's not that things are necessarily horrific; just a wake up call to that thing we call the American Dream. Simon's use of the melody, calling it the American Tune (as if it were an uplifting anthem, is brilliant). That's my interpretation. :)

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  @UWDawgfather

General CommentI first heard this song on the car radio when it was initially released. I had to pull off the road and pull myself together. Since the I have learned to perform this song at every appropriate opportunity over the years. It's a powerful song to sing...and sometimes difficult to get through.

But, it seems like it's time to struggle... yet again...

Snick

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  @Snicklefritz

General CommentThis is a very good song. But is it really about hope? I dont think I can say yes. To me the last verse means that, yes, whenever we're in times of trouble we come together to sing an "American Tune" but then forget it. Since tomorrows gonna be another working day.

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  @TheBeavCT

General CommentAlways struck me as a song sung by an American soldier.

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  @slagonia

General CommentTo me it is definitely about the immigrant experience to the U.S. It's both celebrating America as a nation of immigrants, and expressing the bittersweet sadness of never being able to feel fully "at ease" in a new country when you are "so far away" from your original home.

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  @greenbean

General Commentthis is the best song ever

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  @xxblackoctoberxx

General CommentSimon tapped into something deep here in this classic American song form AABA.

I think there's a longing in every soul for home. Something's missing. We all know it and we all search for it. We're incomplete.

When he returns to "it's alright" or "I'm alright" I feel he's talking about the amazing resilience of humanity and its ability to suffer and come out on the other side with a new normal - "Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest" is completely hopeful. Hopefulness isn't about a happy ending . . . it's about tomorrow being another day.

I'm moved by this one.

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  @thoughtfulpastor

General Commentyes, i dig this song quite a lot.

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  @rockisgroovy

General CommentLove love love this song.

Dave Matthews & Friends do a great version, too.

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  @gweeps