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Paul Simon — Born at the Right Time
Album: The Rhythm of the Saints
Avg rating:
7.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1581









Released: 1990
Length: 3:40
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Down among the reeds and rushes
A baby boy was found
His eyes as clear as centuries
His silky hair was brown

Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Nothing denied to
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time

Me and my buddies we are traveling people
We like to go down to restaurant row
Spend those Euro-dollars
All the way from Washington to Tokyo
I see them in the airport lounge
Upon their mother's breast
They follow me with open eyes
Their uninvited guest

Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Nothing denied to
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time

Too many people on the bus from the airport
Too many holes in the crust of the earth
The planet groans
Every time it registers another birth

But down among the reeds and rushes
A baby girl was found
Her eyes as clear as centuries
Her silky hair was brown

Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Nothing denied to
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time
Comments (79)add comment
This 1990 album is a sibling of 1986's Graceland except here Simon explores the variety of Brazilian music traditions instead of South African. While Graceland is the landmark album (deservedly so in my opinion) I find myself pulling Rhythm of the Saints out of the archives more often. Its charms are more subtle and not always obvious on a first listen. The layers reveal themselves over time then sink deep.  The lyrics, allusive and cryptic, make the listener expend some effort to find meaning.  One in particular (from Cool Cool River) gets me every time: "Sometimes even music cannot substitute for tears". The despair is so complete that even the universal balm of music cannot heal. Yikes!
 jmsmy wrote:

It was a awesome world in 1990 - yeah being born then would be the right time you would think - until everything fell apart 10 years later



So really, being born in the early 70's was being "born at the right time". A young, not yet jaded. independent adult in the 90's - WAS a Magical Time... Sigh. And the MUSIC!! Agh. "Calgon, Take me back!"  ;) 
This whole album is a masterpiece.
 spinmeister wrote:


It sure sounds like you have never heard the entire album, or even paid attention to it's name.  That's like saying that you like Frank Sinatra but don't like his singing.

Actually I haven't heard the whole album for a long time - but I think your analogy is wrong - more like saying that I like Sinatra but I don't like Nelson Riddle's arrangements.  In any case, the song isn't the percussion, which would exist perfectly well without it.
I love the percussion.I don't care what anybody else has to say about i!  Thanx RP   
happy (and false) homesickness
 Edweirdo wrote:

I quite like this, but the percussion ruins it for me.



It sure sounds like you have never heard the entire album, or even paid attention to it's name.  That's like saying that you like Frank Sinatra but don't like his singing.
I quite like this, but the percussion ruins it for me.
 On_The_Beach wrote:


Bowie, for one.


Violent Femmes too!
timeless stuff
It was a awesome world in 1990 - yeah being born then would be the right time you would think - until everything fell apart 10 years later
There's a joyful hope to this 
Powerful, Gutsy, statement! Peace be to Simeon!
 dublanica wrote:
Who else besides Paul Simon and Neil Young experimented and perfected so many different styles, techniques and rhythms over such long careers?
 

Bowie, for one.
 dublanica wrote:
Who else besides Paul Simon and Neil Young experimented and perfected so many different styles, techniques and rhythms over such long careers?
 
I would add David Byrne to that list.
Like this album. Yes, I have the album.
 nutrod42 wrote:
Maybe I'm being unfair judging this Paul Simon by the standards of the Paul Simon from the Simon and Garfunkel days. I mean, this is OK, but not even close to his former greatness. Maybe I should consider this Paul Simon a different person than the other one.
 
We are all different from our past selves, even our selves from the recent past. Our memories, and the props that surround us, provide the illusion of personal identity.
Who else besides Paul Simon and Neil Young experimented and perfected so many different styles, techniques and rhythms over such long careers?
ahhhhhhhhhhhh; one of the Kings!
 nutrod42 wrote:
Maybe I'm being unfair judging this Paul Simon by the standards of the Paul Simon from the Simon and Garfunkel days. I mean, this is OK, but not even close to his former greatness. Maybe I should consider this Paul Simon a different person than the other one.
 
Or maybe you just like that song less than the others. I do, but I wouldn't try to explain that away by making him another person. Some of his songs are just worse than others, at least for me. I think that's not asking too much, is it?
Pretty song, but I'm hung up on a lyric. How clear is a century? What is that supposed to mean... Exactly what is he talking about? :P
 scrubbrush wrote:


I had the same feeling when this came out... It just wasn't quite "Graceland II"... however, i now see that it's a 9.5 (Graceland being a 10)

 
Agree very much
Maybe I'm being unfair judging this Paul Simon by the standards of the Paul Simon from the Simon and Garfunkel days. I mean, this is OK, but not even close to his former greatness. Maybe I should consider this Paul Simon a different person than the other one.
SOUNDS, VISIONS OF GREAT VOICES GREAT SPIRITS
 Cynaera wrote:
Lay off, okay? Romeotuma is who he is, he loves music like you and I do, and he expresses it the way he does. If that's a problem for you, walk away for awhile, breathe, and maybe get a hobby. Fly a kite. Go fishing. Crochet a quilt.

Wow. I think I should go fishing, because I know that other stuff. We all love music, so let's just accept it and move on.

And I love Paul Simon's music. So there.
 
We miss you so very much, Cynaera...  everybody in my hotel room loves this song, and this marvelous album...  time flies when we're having fun...

Ann Lucas passed away February 6, 2012, at University of Utah Medical Center, at age 55 due to a subdural hematoma, which required surgery. She was put on life support, but after three days without signs of improvement, her family made the difficult decision to discontinue life support and donate her organs on the 6th.

Ann was born on Oct. 12, 1956, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Buss and Dorothy Stepp, who encouraged her to follow her dreams. One dream was to become a published author, which she achieved in 2010 with her novel "Life-Dance". She also wrote fan fiction for the television show "La Femme Nikita".

Ann was also a freelance correspondent for the "Elko Independent" newspaper and had a recurring column called "Shaking the Tree", as well as writing articles for "Elko Daily Free Press".


ahhh...my favorite PS album! {#Drummer}
sounds like talking heads byrne lyrics
Simon is an amazing musician and songwriter, for decades now his work continues to impress and inspire
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
I think I was disappointed with this album when it came out, but now I listen to it more than Graceland which I kinda overplayed. This may be the best song on the album.

 

I had the same feeling when this came out... It just wasn't quite "Graceland II"... however, i now see that it's a 9.5 (Graceland being a 10)
I think I was disappointed with this album when it came out, but now I listen to it more than Graceland which I kinda overplayed. This may be the best song on the album.
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo gooood for the ears...


 

Yep. I love him!
I used to listen to this album as a teenager.
Just can't stop admiring it, excellent beat and flowing music.  

Paul Simon in general is one of my most favorite musicians and I truly love this song
 fredriley wrote:

Could you please post a different comment? I'm getting fed up with reading about your lug holes :(

 
Lay off, okay? Romeotuma is who he is, he loves music like you and I do, and he expresses it the way he does. If that's a problem for you, walk away for awhile, breathe, and maybe get a hobby. Fly a kite. Go fishing. Crochet a quilt.

Wow. I think I should go fishing, because I know that other stuff. We all love music, so let's just accept it and move on.

And I love Paul Simon's music. So there.

8 >> 9
 romeotuma wrote:
This song is soooo gooood for the ears...

 
Could you please post a different comment? I'm getting fed up with reading about your lug holes :(

 cattgirl813 wrote:


I kind of like this. I have this album on cassette and never make it past "The Obvious Child." I guess I should expand my horizons, eh?


 

I always thought the 'The Obvious Child' was a bad opener. I often used to skip it as it didn't create the right mood for the album.

One of my favourites has got to be 'Can't run but'.

 Papernapkin wrote:
This is the second worst song I've ever heard.
 
Hah, that's funny.
But Paul Simon does not write bad songs, so I'm afraid to hear what your favorites are.

cattgirl813 wrote:
I kind of like this. I have this album on cassette and never make it past "The Obvious Child." I guess I should expand my horizons, eh?

Was the same with me for a long time. Now I like every single piece on it. A real grower.

This is one of my all-time favorite records. One of those albums that got me through a very tough time. I still don't understand what Simon's trying to say most of time in Rhythm of the Saints, but I don't understand a lot of things. Paul Simon takes the ambiguity to sublime heights, for me. also- nice segue, those two songs came together beautifully...Diallo's West African groove and then Simon's S. American beat; the percussion section of this cd was most definitely from Brazil...
This is the second worst song I've ever heard.
a definite classic!
coding_to_music wrote:
This is a great song, a 9 or so But I would like to not hear it for a very long time Sick of it...
Thinking the same thing, actually. The same thing.
bcorcoran wrote:
Gee, stop playing with fire all of you :P Some people like it, some people don't. Simple! Rate it accordingly and move on!
Here on RP, we can do as we wish. Thank you for your guidance though.
swelements wrote:
Nearly sounds like "You can call me all"
And/or "Al"
birdland wrote:
Poetry, actually.
Poetic pablum, I'll grant you. :)
Gee, stop playing with fire all of you :P Some people like it, some people don't. Simple! Rate it accordingly and move on!
sqqqrly wrote:
I hit the same button. The lyrics are can only be described as pablum....
Poetry, actually.
fredriley wrote:
I don't know what it is about this guy - pretentiousness? Ripping off (sorry, 'paying homage to') African musical styles? Insipid voice? - but he really, really gets on my nerves. I had to hit the pause button after a minute of this one :(
I hit the same button. The lyrics are can only be described as pablum....
fredriley wrote:
I don't know what it is about this guy - pretentiousness? Ripping off (sorry, 'paying homage to') African musical styles? Insipid voice? - but he really, really gets on my nerves. I had to hit the pause button after a minute of this one :(
yep . . . all that you said . . . he's annoying
I don't know what it is about this guy - pretentiousness? Ripping off (sorry, 'paying homage to') African musical styles? Insipid voice? - but he really, really gets on my nerves. I had to hit the pause button after a minute of this one :(
...always makes me feel better.
LittleMike wrote:
Funny, I have this album, and I don't remember ever hearing this one. Ho-hum, I guess.
I kind of like this. I have this album on cassette and never make it past "The Obvious Child." I guess I should expand my horizons, eh?
"...the planet groans every time it registers another birth..." Just watch the fungus grow. Too much of a good thing.
you can identify any Paul Simon song by the first 2 bangs on the bongos.
This is a great song, a 9 or so But I would like to not hear it for a very long time Sick of it...
rockon paul...
This is the cheese!
I've heard Paul Simon interviewed. Musical genius.
I didn't really like this album when it first came out. However, for some reason or another I was always drawn to put it back in the tape deck from time to time. After quite a few listens it REALLY grew on me. Now a days, this is an album that I know I'll always enjoy listening to as I drive down the road. Excellent CD, start to finish!
Pretty happy song, not too distinguished or unique. Good elevator music.
Funny, I have this album, and I don't remember ever hearing this one. Ho-hum, I guess.
Nearly sounds like "You can call me all"
indypaul wrote:
This was also the name of the tour in 1991. Saw him outdoors in Indy in September. My wife (8 months pregnant) and I went and thoroughly enjoyed it. She asked to sit down towards the end of the show because she wasn't feeling too good. The next day she gave birth to our first child. Born at the Right Time? I'll say!!!
Great story! :D
This was also the name of the tour in 1991. Saw him outdoors in Indy in September. My wife (8 months pregnant) and I went and thoroughly enjoyed it. She asked to sit down towards the end of the show because she wasn't feeling too good. The next day she gave birth to our first child. Born at the Right Time? I'll say!!!
NeilBlanchard wrote:
Hello: I own this on LP -- I may just have to buy the digital version! I really like "Further To Fly", and this whole album is even a bit better than "Graceland", IMO.
I agree! And the new Remaster is worth picking up - the sound is so much better....it's not subtle! The bonus tracks are OK - the original of this song is particularly interetsting in it's "just acoustic guitar" version.
NeilBlanchard wrote:
...this whole album is even a bit better than "Graceland", IMO.
I'd have to agree, though I might prefer it because I played Graceland to death prior to this coming out. Both are wonderful.
Hello: I own this on LP -- I may just have to buy the digital version! I really like "Further To Fly", and this whole album is even a bit better than "Graceland", IMO.
Lyrics, sound, ah... what a great mood! Thanks!
Typesbad wrote:
My thoughts exactly. I like it but, well, Graceland was one hell of act to follow.
I would recommend "You're the one" from 2001... that ranks a close third for me
Schmackdown wrote:
Great flow, great rhythm. Saints may not be Graceland, but it's still a standout CD.
Well said. Saw Paul in New Orleans on his "Rhythm of the Saints" tour. How perfect.
namesbenny wrote:
The first few bars reminded me of "Mystery Train"-- a good song and even better movie. I'd also like to hear "Walk Much Faster" from this album.
It's called "Can't Run But," and it's absolutely wonderful. It really takes you somewhere else.
The first few bars reminded me of "Mystery Train"-- a good song and even better movie. I'd also like to hear "Walk Much Faster" from this album.
Schmackdown wrote:
Great flow, great rhythm. Saints may not be Graceland, but it's still a standout CD.
My thoughts exactly. I like it but, well, Graceland was one hell of act to follow.
Great flow, great rhythm. Saints may not be Graceland, but it's still a standout CD.
Good Album...but there are better songs than this.