Greatest Hits: Shining Like a National Guitar
Paul Simon · 2000
76 min · 19 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant collection of folk-infused rock melodies layered with introspective lyrics and world music influences.
Top tracks — play these first
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Graceland — This track encapsulates the essence of Simon's exploration of world music, blending African rhythms with poignant storytelling about loss and healing.
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You Can Call Me Al Start here — With its catchy melody and playful lyrics, this song captures Simon's knack for combining humor with deeper existential themes, making it a fan favorite.
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Mother and Child Reunion — This track stands out for its unique fusion of rock and reggae elements, reflecting Simon's innovative approach to genre-blending in popular music.
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The Obvious Child — Featuring rich percussion and reflective lyrics about aging and loss, this song showcases Simon's evolution as a songwriter during the late '80s.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
This compilation highlights Simon's songwriting and production quality but lacks the cohesion of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate world music elements, particularly in rhythm and instrumentation, reflecting Simon's diverse influences.
- The running order alternates between upbeat tracks and more introspective pieces, creating a dynamic flow throughout the compilation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- infectious melodies for sing-alongs
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- for road trip playlists
- vibrant sounds for sunny days
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Starting Point — This compilation offers a broad overview of Simon's solo work, ideal for new listeners.
- Themes
- African musical influences· personal identity exploration· cross-cultural storytelling
- Career context
- By the time of this compilation's release in 2000, Paul Simon had established himself as a solo artist following the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. This album comes after his critically acclaimed 'Graceland' (1986), which marked a significant artistic reinvention, incorporating global rhythms into his songwriting. 'Greatest Hits: Shining Like a National Guitar' serves to celebrate his enduring legacy and showcase his most beloved tracks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Cat Stevens· Nick Drake
Tracklist
- 1 Graceland 4:47
- 2 You Can Call Me Al Start here 4:41
- 3 Mother and Child Reunion 2:58
- 4 The Cool, Cool River 4:33
- 5 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover 3:07
- 6 The Obvious Child 4:11
- 7 The Boy in the Bubble 3:57
- 8 Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War 3:43
- 9 Late in the Evening 3:54
- 10 Bernadette 3:28
- 11 Slip Slidin' Away 4:45
- 12 Take Me to the Mardi Gras 3:22
- 13 Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 5:49
- 14 Still Crazy After All These Years 3:22
- 15 Kodachrome® 3:28
- 16 Loves Me Like a Rock 3:14
- 17 Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard 2:43
- 18 Hearts and Bones 5:38
- 19 Trailways Bus 5:16
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Feelings
David Byrne
Explores world music influences and personal narratives with a quirky, introspective vibe.
Hejira
Joni Mitchell
Combines folk rock with explorative storytelling and themes of identity and travel.
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
Shares rich harmonies and emotional introspection, bridging folk rock with universal experiences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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