Proof (Paul Simon song)

"Proof"
Single by Paul Simon
from the album The Rhythm of the Saints
B-side	"The Coast"
Released	February 1991 (1991-02)
Genre	Bikutsi [1]
Length	4:39
Label	Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)	Paul Simon
Producer(s)	Paul Simon
Paul Simon singles chronology
"The Obvious Child" (1990) "Proof" (1991) "Born at the Right Time" (1991)

"Proof" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his eighth studio album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), released on Warner Bros. Records. The song possesses a fast tempo and is built around a triplet feel that follows the conventions of Bikutsi music. ^[1]

Personnel

• Paul Simon – lead and backing vocals
• Martin Atangana – electric guitar
• George Seba – electric guitar
• Bakithi Kumalo – bass guitar
• Andre Manga – bass guitar
• Justin Tchounou – synthesizer
• Jimmy McDonald – accordion
• Steve Gadd – drums
• Mingo Araujo – bass drum, cymbal, talking drum
• Don Chacal – bongos
• Sidinho Moreira – water bowl
• Madeleine Yayodele Nelson – shekere
• Alain Hatot – saxophone
• Jacques Bolognesi – trombone
• Phillipe Slominski – trumpet
• Briz – backing vocals
• Elolongue Mbango Catherine – background vocals
• Djana'd – background vocals
• Florence Gnimagnon – background vocals
• Charlotte Mbango – backing vocals

Music video

The music video features Simon along with Chevy Chase and Steve Martin on a parade float during the annual Christmas Parade in Richmond, Virginia performing the song.

Charts

Chart performance for "Proof"

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA) [2]	134
Irish Singles Chart [3]	23
UK Singles (OCC) [4]	89
UK Airplay ( Music Week ) [5]	34

Notes

References

1. Gonzalez, Fernando (June 12, 1992). "Jazz fest: The making of a tradition". Boston Globe . p. 38. Retrieved June 18, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
2. "Bubbling Down Under: Week commencing 18 February 1991" . Retrieved February 20, 2022.
3. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". www.irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
5. "Top 60 Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week . 23 February 1991. p. 19. Retrieved 27 April 2024.

Sources

• Bennighof, James (2007). The Words and Music of Paul Simon. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN   978-0-275-99163-0.
• Eliot, Marc (2010). Paul Simon: A Life . John Wiley and Sons. ISBN   978-0-470-43363-8.