Kodachrome (song)

Description

After a review in *Billboard'''s May 12 issue praising its "cheerfully antisocial lyrics", the song debuted at No. 82 in the Hot 100 on the week-ending May 19, 1973. That same week, Record World labelled the song as "another Simon masterpiece" that was "one of many potential single smashes" on his *There Goes Rhymin' Simon'' album.

The lyrics of the song on There Goes Rhymin' Simon differed from those on The Concert in Central Park (1982) and Paul Simon's Concert in the Park, August 15, 1991 albums. The lyrics of the original album version were, "everything looks worse in black and white" but, on the live albums, Simon sang "everything looks better in black and white". Simon said, "I can't remember which way I originally wrote it – 'better' or 'worse' – but I always change it.... 'Kodachrome' was a song that was originally called 'Goin' Home.'"

Record World called it "another Simon masterpiece" and said that "perfect fare for springtime-summer radio will be hummed and whistled by millions".

Development

In an interview conducted in November 2008, Simon said that what he had in mind when writing the song was to call it "Going Home". However, finding that would have been "too conventional", he came up with "Kodachrome", because of its similar sound and larger innovative potential. He also referred to its first line as the "most interesting" part of the song. That first line is: "When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school/It's a wonder I can think at all".

Chart performance

Four weeks after its debut on the Hot 100, the song moved to No. 9, sandwiched ahead of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Dawn featuring Tony Orlando, and behind May 19, 1973, Hot 100 top debut (No. 59) "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" by George Harrison.

Two weeks later, "Kodachrome" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, behind "Will It Go Round in Circles" by Billy Preston. It peaked at No. 2 the Billboard adult contemporary chart as well. In the United Kingdom, the song was marketed as the B-side to "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" (CBS 1578). The song was banned by both the BBC and the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters, due to its trademarked title.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Personnel

The musicians on this session were the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

• Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Pete Carr – acoustic guitar
• Jimmy Johnson – electric guitars
• David Hood – bass guitar
• Roger Hawkins – double-tracked drums
• Barry Beckett – Wurlitzer electronic piano, Hammond organ, tack piano
• Uncredited – horns

Notes

References

Sources

References

1. (October 15, 1996). "Precious and Few - Pop Music in the Early '70s". [[St. Martin's Press.
2. (May 12, 1973). "Radio Action & Pick Singles".
3. (May 19, 1973). "Billboard Hot 100".
4. (May 19, 1973). "Hits of the Week".
5. "Still Creative After All These Years", interview with Daniel J. Levitin, ''Grammy'' magazine, Winter, 1997.
6. (May 19, 1973). "Hits of the Week".
7. (2008-11-25). "One on One with Paul Simon (6 of 7)". Official Barnes & Noble channel.
8. (June 16, 1973). "Billboard Hot 100".
9. [[Joel Whitburn. Whitburn, Joel]] (1996). ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'', 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)
10. "Top 100 Songs – Billboard Hot 100 Chart".
11. Hyatt, Wesley (1999). ''The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits'' (Billboard Publications)
12. See label photos at 45cat.com
13. (2015-12-17). "30 songs banned by the BBC". The Telegraph.
14. ''Billboard'' (Billboard Publications), July 7, 1973, page 53.
15. Kent, David. (1993). "[[Kent Music Report". Australian Chart Book.
16. [Flavour of New Zealand, August 27, 1973]
17. Salaverri, Fernando. (September 2005). "Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 <!--". Fundación Autor-SGAE.
18. "Paul Simon – Chart history".
19. "Cash Box Top 100 7/14/73".
20. (29 December 1973). "Top 100 Singles of '73".
21. "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973".
22. "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1973".
23. "Paul Simon Greatest Hits".