1318 – Paul Simon – Loves me like a rock (1973)

Escrita por Paul Simon, foi gravada em 1972 no Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, no Alabama. Foi lançada em cinco de maio de 1973 no disco There goes rhymmin' Simon e depois em compacto em 17 de julho de 1973, com Learn how to fall como Lado B. Tem background vocals do Dixie Humkingbirds, um grupo de gospel do sul. Gostaram tanto que lançaria sua própria versão da música no mesmo ano. A versão de Paul Simon chegou ao número 2 do Billboard Hot100 e também número 5 no Canadá. Virou disco de ouro e vendeu mais de um milhão de cópias. A letra fala de como uma mãe ama um filho, mesmo quando se torna um presidente. De toda forma a musica tem um sabor gospel. Paul Simon cantou e tocou violões de 6 e de 12 cordas. David Hood tocou baixo. Roger Hawkins tocou bateria e pandeiro. E o Dixie Hummingbird fez os backing vocals.

A letra:

When I was a little boy (When I was just a boy)
And the devil would call my name (When I was just a boy)
I'd say, now who do (Who)
Who do you think you're foolin' (When I was just a boy)

I'm a consecrated boy (When I was just a boy)
I'm a singer in a Sunday choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me

She get down on her knees and hug me
Like she loves me like a rock
She rocks me like the rock of ages and loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me

When I was grown to be a man (Grown to be a man)
And the devil would call my name (Grown to be a man)
I'd say, now who do (Who)
Who do you think you're foolin' (Grown to be a man)

I'm a consummated man (Grown to be a man)
I can snatch a little purity
My mama loves me, she loves me

She get down on her knees and hug me
Like she loves me like a rock
She rocks me like the rock of ages and loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me

And if I was President (Was the President)
The minute congress call my name (Was the President)
I'd say now, who do (who)
Who do you think you're foolin' (Who do you think you're foolin')

I've got the Presidential seal (Was the President)
I'm up on the Presidential podium
My mama loves me, she loves me

She get down on her knees and hug me
Like she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages and loves me

She love me, love me, love me, love me (Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me (Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me (Loves me like a rock)
Oh yeah (Loves me like a rock)
Nanananana (Rock me like the rock of ages)

(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Rock me like the rock of ages)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
Nanananana (Rock me like the rock of ages)
 

(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Rock me like the rock of ages)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Rock me like the rock of ages)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Rock me like the rock of ages)

A versão de Paul Simon:

A versão dos Dixie Hummingbirds:

A versão de Paul Simon com Stevie Wonder: