You Can Call Me Al (Feat. Chevy Chase) Lyrics
Paul Simon
Lyrics
A man walks down the street
He says, Why am I soft in the middle now?
Why am I soft in the middle?
When the rest of my life is so hard!
I need a photo-opportunity
I want a shot at redemption
Don't want to end up a cartoon
In a cartoon graveyard
Bonedigger, Bonedigger,
Dogs in the moonlight
Far away, my well-lit door
Mr. Beerbelly, Beerbelly
Get these mutts away from me!
You know, I don't find this stuff amusing anymore
If you'll 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
A man walks down the street
He says, Why am I short of attention?
Got a short little span of attention
And whoa, my nights are so long!
Where's my wife and family?
What if I die here?
Who'll be my role-model?
Now that my role-model is
Gone, gone
He ducked back down the alley
With some roly-poly, little bat-faced girl
All along, along
There were incidents and accidents
There were hints and allegations
If you'll 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
Call me Al
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
He doesn't speak the language
He holds no currency
He is a foreign man
He is surrounded by the sound, sound
Cattle in the marketplace
Scatterlings and orphanages
He looks around, around
He sees angels in the architecture
Spinning into infinity
He says, Amen! and Hallelujah!
If you'll 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 (Call me)
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na ...
If you'll be my bodyguard...
I can call you Betty...
If you'll be my bodyguard...
I can call you Betty...
If you'll be my bodyguard...
Song & Lyrics Facts
Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" is a single from his 1986 album, Graceland. It was written by Paul Simon and produced by Roy Halee.
The song features vocals from American actor Chevy Chase, who provides backing vocals in the chorus. Released on August 6th, 1986, it became one of the most successful singles from the album, reaching number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song tells the story of a middle-aged man who feels lost in life until he finds love and acceptance with his new partner. The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay and metaphors that reflect the protagonist's journey through self-discovery. The catchy rhythm and upbeat melody make it an enduring classic.