Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the fourth single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. The song features guest vocals from the South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Background

"Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" was written when Simon went to South Africa. While he was there, he gathered various music from locals, and risked possible imprisonment due to the apartheid regime. Upon returning to New York, Simon finished the album with the artists he brought back from South Africa, and performed live on Saturday Night Live on May 10, 1986.^[1] During the performance, Simon sung live to the backing instrumental track featured on the album while Ladysmith Black Mombazo mimed their parts.^[2] Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing in Zulu on this track. Their refrain roughly translates to: "It's not usual but in our days we see those things happen. They are women, they can take care of themselves."^[1]

Personnel

Paul Simon—lead vocals, guitar
Ray Phiri—guitar
Bakithi Kumalo—bass
Isaac Mtshali—drums
Youssou N'Dour, Babacar Faye, Assane Thaim, James Guyatt— percussion
Lenny Pickett—tenor saxophone
Earl Gardner—trumpet
Alex Foster—alto saxophone
Ladysmith Black Mambazo—vocals

Covers

The song has been covered by the Soweto String Quartet and features on their greatest hits collection.^[3] English singer MIKA performed a live piano cover of the song on his BBC Radio 2 show The Art of Song in March 2016. ^[4]

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[5]	69
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[6]	2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[7]	28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[8]	85
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[9]	77

Notes

References

1 2 "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon Songfacts".
↑ http://vk.com/video-2009067_33437153
↑ "Soweto String Quartet - Collections - MUSIC - Musica".
↑ "MIKA: The Art of Song".
↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
↑ "RPM: Adult Contemporary" (PDF). RPM. Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. 47 (3). October 24, 1987. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
↑ "Ultratop.be – Paul Simon – Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Paul Simon – Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
↑ "Archive Chart: 1987-02-21" UK Singles Chart. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

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.

External links

Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics

Paul Simon songs

Discography

The Paul Simon Songbook	"I Am a Rock"

Paul Simon	"Mother and Child Reunion" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" "Duncan"

There Goes Rhymin' Simon	"Kodachrome" "Loves Me Like a Rock" "American Tune" "Take Me to the Mardi Gras"

Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin'	"The Sound of Silence"

Still Crazy After All These Years	"Gone at Last" "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" "Still Crazy After All These Years"

Greatest Hits, Etc.	"Slip Slidin' Away"

One-Trick Pony	"Stranded in a Limousine" "Late in the Evening" "One-Trick Pony" "Oh, Marion"

Hearts and Bones	"Allergies" "Think Too Much"

Graceland	"You Can Call Me Al" "Graceland" "The Boy in the Bubble" "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" "Under African Skies"

The Rhythm of the Saints	"The Obvious Child" "Proof" "Born at the Right Time"

You're the One	"Old" "You're the One"

Surprise	"Father and Daughter" "That's Me" "Outrageous"

So Beautiful or So What	"Getting Ready for Christmas Day" "The Afterlife"

Featured singles	"Wonderful World" "The Blues" "The Boxer" "New York Is My Home"

Other songs	"Something So Right" "St. Judy's Comet" "The Late Great Johnny Ace" "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" "Homeless" "Thelma"

Category

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