Kodachrome (song)

Last updated

"Kodachrome"
Paulsimonkodachrome.jpg
Single by Paul Simon
from the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon
B-side "Tenderness"
ReleasedMay 19, 1973
Genre Pop [1]
Length3:32
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Paul Simon
Producer(s)
Paul Simon singles chronology
"Duncan"
(1972)		"Kodachrome"
(1973)		"Loves Me Like a Rock"
(1973)
Kodachrome 45 rpm single vinyl record Kodachrome - Paul Simon; Vinyl record.jpg
Kodachrome 45 rpm single vinyl record

"Kodachrome" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), released on Columbia Records. The song is named after Kodak's now-discontinued reversal film brand, Kodachrome.

Contents

Description

After a review in Billboard's May 12 issue praising its "cheerfully antisocial lyrics", the song debuted at No. 82 in the Hot 100 on the week-ending May 19, 1973. [2] [3] The lyrics of the song on There Goes Rhymin' Simon differed from those on The Concert in Central Park (1982) and Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, August 15, 1991 albums. The lyrics of the original album version were, "everything looks worse in black and white" but, on the live albums, Simon sang "everything looks better in black and white". Simon said, "I can't remember which way I originally wrote it – 'better' or 'worse' – but I always change it.... 'Kodachrome' was a song that was originally called 'Goin' Home.'" [4]

Record World called it "another Simon masterpiece" and said that "perfect fare for springtime-summer radio will be hummed and whistled by millions". [5]

Development

In an interview conducted in November 2008, Simon said that what he had in mind when writing the song was to call it "Going Home". However, finding that would have been "too conventional", he came up with "Kodachrome", because of its similar sound and larger innovative potential. He also referred to its first line as the "most interesting" part of the song. [6] [ failed verification ] That first line is: "When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school/It's a wonder I can think at all".

Chart performance

Four weeks after its debut on the Hot 100, the song moved to No. 9, sandwiched ahead of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando, and behind May 19, 1973, Hot 100 top debut (No. 59) "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" by George Harrison. [7]

Two weeks later, "Kodachrome" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, [8] behind "Will It Go Round in Circles" by Billy Preston. [9] It peaked at No. 2 the Billboard adult contemporary chart as well. [10] In the United Kingdom, the song was marketed as the B-side to "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" (CBS 1578). [11] The song was banned by both the BBC [12] and the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters, [13] due to its trademarked title.

Personnel

The musicians on this session were the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. [27]

Notes

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sound of Silence</span> Song by Simon & Garfunkel

    "The Sound of Silence" is a song by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon. The duo's studio audition of the song led to a record deal with Columbia Records, and the original acoustic version was recorded in March 1964 at Columbia's 7th Avenue Recording Studios in New York City for their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., released that October to disappointing sales. An overdubbed electric remix was released the following year and went to number one on the Billboard singles chart.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">American Tune</span> 1973 single by Paul Simon

    "American Tune" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the third single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), released on Columbia Records. The song, a meditation on the American experience, is based on the melody of the hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" and bears a striking resemblance to JS Bach’s “Erkenne mich, mein Hüter“. The song reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

    <i>There Goes Rhymin Simon</i> 1973 studio album by Paul Simon

    There Goes Rhymin' Simon is the third solo studio album by American musician Paul Simon released in May 1973. It contains songs spanning several styles and genres, such as gospel and Dixieland. It received two nominations at the Grammy Awards of 1974, which were for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male and Album of the Year.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boxer</span> 1969 Simon and Garfunkel song

    "The Boxer" is a song written by Paul Simon and recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth and final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was released as a standalone single on March 21, 1969, but included on the album nine months later. The song is a folk rock ballad that variously takes the form of a first-person lament as well as a third-person sketch of a boxer. The lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible and were written during a time when Simon felt he was being unfairly criticized. The song's lyrics discuss poverty and loneliness. It is particularly known for its plaintive refrain, in which they sing 'lie-la-lie', accompanied by a heavily reverbed snare drum.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Me and Mrs. Jones</span> 1972 song recorded by Billy Paul

    "Me and Mrs. Jones" is a 1972 soul song written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, and originally recorded by Billy Paul. It describes an extramarital affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. In the song, the two meet in secret "every day at the same cafe", at 6:30, where they hold hands and talk. The two are caught in a quandary: "We got a thing going on/we both know that it's wrong/but it's much too strong/to let it go now."

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic (Pilot song)</span> 1974 single by Pilot

    "Magic" is a 1974 song by Scottish pop rock band Pilot and was the first hit single for the group. It was written by band members David Paton and Billy Lyall for their debut album, From the Album of the Same Name.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)</span> 1973 song composed by Stevie Wonder, performed by Aretha Franklin

    "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" is a song written by Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, and Stevie Wonder. The song was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder in 1967, but his version was not released as a single and did not appear on an album until 1977's anthology Looking Back. The best-known version of this song is the 1973 release by Aretha Franklin, who had a million-selling top 10 hit on Billboard charts. The song reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart in 1974. It became an RIAA Gold record.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Wake Up Little Susie</span> 1957 single by The Everly Brothers

    "Wake Up Little Susie" is a popular song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and published in 1957.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Train</span> 1972 single by the OJays

    "Love Train" is a hit single by the O'Jays, written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Released in 1972, it reached No. 1 on both the R&B Singles and the Billboard Hot 100 in February and March 1973 respectively, and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. It was the O'Jays' first and only number one record on the US pop chart. The song has been considered one of the first songs of disco music.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Loves Me Like a Rock</span> 1973 single by Paul Simon

    "Loves Me Like a Rock" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), released on Columbia Records. It features background vocals from the Dixie Hummingbirds, a Southern black gospel group. Although the lyrics are not typically associated with gospel music, the Dixie Hummingbirds were eager to record the song with Simon, and they recorded their own version soon after for their 1973 album We Love You Like a Rock/Every Day and Every Hour.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Lay Down Sally</span> 1977 single by Eric Clapton

    "Lay Down Sally" is a song performed by Eric Clapton, and written by Clapton, Marcy Levy, and George Terry. It appeared on his November 1977 album Slowhand, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">I Just Want to Be Your Everything</span> 1977 single by Andy Gibb

    "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" is a song recorded by Andy Gibb, initially released in April 1977 by RSO Records as the first single from his debut album Flowing Rivers (1977). The song was written by Gibb's older brother Barry, and produced by Gibb-Galuten-Richardson. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, starting on the week ending 30 July 1977, and again for the week ending 17 September 1977. It was Gibb's first single released in the United Kingdom and United States. His previous single, "Words and Music" was only released in Australia. It is ranked number 26 on Billboard's 55th anniversary All Time Top 100.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock On (David Essex song)</span> Single by David Essex

    "Rock On" is a song written by English singer David Essex. Recorded in 1973 and released as a single by Essex, it became an international hit. In 1989, American actor and singer Michael Damian recorded a cover version that went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has been recorded many times, including a 2006 version by the English hard rock group Def Leppard.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Simon discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Paul Simon

    Paul Simon is an American singer-songwriter who is possibly best known as a member of the folk-duo Simon & Garfunkel with Art Garfunkel. He has released studio albums, live albums, compilation albums and singles. His music career has spanned over 60 years. He started recording music in the 1950s and his most recent album, Seven Psalms, was released on May 19, 2023.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Late in the Evening</span> 1980 single by Paul Simon

    "Late in the Evening" is a song by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his fifth studio album, One-Trick Pony (1980), released on Warner Bros. Records.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">How Much I Feel</span> 1978 single by Ambrosia

    "How Much I Feel" is a 1978 song by American rock band Ambrosia. The song, written by the band's guitarist/vocalist David Pack, was released in the summer of 1978 as the lead single from their third album, Life Beyond L.A., peaking at position three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two for three weeks on the Cash Box Top 100.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Sunday (song)</span> 1972 single by Daniel Boone

    "Beautiful Sunday" is a song written by Daniel Boone and Rod McQueen and performed by Boone. It appeared on his 1972 album Beautiful Sunday and was produced by Larry Page and arranged by Boone.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">The Things We Do for Love (song)</span> British pop song released in 1976

    "The Things We Do for Love" is a song by British band 10cc, released as a single in 1976. It later featured on the album Deceptive Bends released in 1977 and was the group's first release after the departure of band members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Scorpio (instrumental)</span> 1971 single by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band

    "Scorpio" is a song by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band. It charted at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me to the Mardi Gras</span> 1973 single by Paul Simon

    "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the fourth single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), released on Columbia Records.

    References

    1. ↑ Breithaupt, Don; Breithaupt, Jeff (October 15, 1996). "Dancing in the Moonlight: Seventies Pop". Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 39. ISBN   031214704X.
    2. ↑ "Radio Action & Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard . May 12, 1973. p. 56. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
    3. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . Vol. 85, no. 38. May 19, 1973. p. 68. ISSN   0006-2510.
    4. ↑ "Still Creative After All These Years", interview with Daniel J. Levitin, Grammy magazine, Winter, 1997.
    5. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 19, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
    6. ↑ "Interviews".
    7. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . Vol. 85, no. 42. June 16, 1973. p. 88. ISSN   0006-2510.
    8. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)
    9. ↑ "Top 100 Songs – Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
    10. ↑ Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)
    11. ↑ See label photos at 45cat.com
    12. ↑ "30 songs banned by the BBC". The Telegraph. December 17, 2015. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved November 5, 2022.
    13. ↑ Billboard (Billboard Publications), July 7, 1973, page 53.
    14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
    15. ↑ "RPM100: Singles" (PDF). RPM . Vol. 19, no. 23. July 21, 1973. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
    16. ↑ "The Programmers' Adult Contemporary Playlist" (PDF). RPM . Vol. 19, no. 23. July 21, 1973. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
    17. ↑ "Paul Simon – Kodachrome" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
    18. ↑ "Paul Simon – Kodachrome" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
    19. ↑ [Flavour of New Zealand, August 27, 1973]
    20. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN   84-8048-639-2.
    21. ↑ "Paul Simon – Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
    22. ↑ "Paul Simon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
    23. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 7/14/73". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
    24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '73" (PDF). RPM. December 29, 1973. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
    25. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". www.musicoutfitters.com.
    26. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1973". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
    27. ↑ "Paul Simon Greatest Hits". aln2.albumlinernotes. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010.

    Sources

    This page is based on this Wikipedia article
    Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
    Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.