The Boy in the Bubble

E864058

"The Boy in the Bubble" is the energetic, accordion-driven opening track of Paul Simon’s acclaimed 1986 album *Graceland*, noted for its vivid, socially conscious lyrics and innovative worldbeat sound.

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Statements (44)

Predicate Object
instanceOf song
album Graceland NERFINISHED
artist Paul Simon NERFINISHED
associatedWithArtistCareerPhase Paul Simon’s mid-1980s world music period
composer Paul Simon NERFINISHED
countryOfOrigin United States of America
surface form: United States
criticalReception praised for innovative worldbeat sound
praised for vivid, socially conscious lyrics
genre folk rock
pop rock
worldbeat
hasCulturalImpact frequently cited as a key track on Graceland
hasForm verse-chorus structure
hasInstrumentation accordion
bass guitar
guitars
percussion
hasMusicalFeature African-influenced rhythms
accordion-driven arrangement
prominent bass line
world music instrumentation
hasNotableLine "These are the days of miracle and wonder"
hasSubjectMatter globalization
political unrest
technological change
hasTempo energetic
includedIn 1986 album Graceland NERFINISHED
influencedBy South African music
isOftenDescribedAs accordion-driven opening track of Graceland
isOpeningTrackOfCriticallyAcclaimedAlbum Graceland NERFINISHED
label Warner Bros. Records NERFINISHED
language English
lyricist Paul Simon NERFINISHED
lyricTheme media and violence
social commentary
technology and modern life
openingTrackOf Graceland NERFINISHED
partOf 1980s popular music canon
Paul Simon discography
performer Paul Simon NERFINISHED
productionStyle layered, rhythmically complex arrangement
recordedFor Warner Bros. Records NERFINISHED
releaseYear 1986
trackNumber 1

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Graceland hasPart The Boy in the Bubble
Twelve hasPart The Boy in the Bubble
Paul Simon concert tours includeSongs The Boy in the Bubble