Going to Graceland Edition

<p>Four decades ago, Paul Simon broke out of a middle-age slump with a collaborative project few saw coming. Join Chris Molanphy as he explores the musical brilliance, polarizing legacy—and of course, the chart history—of 1986’s <em>Graceland.</em></p><br><p>Captivated by a borrowed mixtape of South African music, Simon defied a UN cultural boycott and traveled to apartheid-era South Africa to collaborate and record with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and other musicians. The result was polarizing, critically beloved and, eventually, a chart smash. <em>Graceland</em> also set a new precedent for aging pop stars.</p><br><p>For an even deeper dive on the controversies behind the album, check out Ashley Kahn’s new book <em><u><a href="bookshop.org/a/2181/9781668206751"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Days of Miracle and Wonder: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland</a></u></em>. And for more on the anti-apartheid movement in pop, listen to Hit Parade’s episode on <u><a href="slate.com/culture/2017/07/hit-parade-the-chari…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the rise and fall of the charity megasingle</a></u>.</p><br><p>Get more Hit Parade with Slate Plus! Join for bonus episodes of "The Bridge" and ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Hit Parade show page on <u><a href="podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hit-parade-music…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></u> or <u><a href="open.spotify.com/show/4GqbdfOT9Je4nEp5BqnGit&q…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></u>. Or, visit <u><a href="slate.com/podcast-plus?utm_medium=link&utm…; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">slate.com/hitparadeplus</a></u> to get access wherever you listen.</p><p>Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our <a href="slate.com/podcastfaqs#plusbenefits"; rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FAQ</a> at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a>; for more information.</p>