"Loves Me Like a Rock" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), released on Columbia Records. It features background vocals from the Dixie Hummingbirds, a Southern black gospel group. Although the lyrics are not typically associated with gospel music, the Dixie Hummingbirds were eager to record the song with Simon, and they recorded their own version soon after for their 1973 album We Love You Like a Rock/Every Day and Every Hour.[2][3]
| "Loves Me Like a Rock" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single cover (Netherlands release) | ||||
| Single by Paul Simon | ||||
| from the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon | ||||
| B-side | "Learn How to Fall" | |||
| Released | July 17, 1973 | |||
| Recorded | 1972 | |||
| Studio | Muscle Shoals (Sheffield, Alabama) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:32 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Paul Simon singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Official audio | ||||
| "Loves Me Like a Rock" on YouTube | ||||
The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100; it was also a top five hit in Canada. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.
Lyrics and music
editAccording to Billboard magazine, the lyrics of "Loves Me Like a Rock" describe "how a mother loved her son, even when he became the president" and the music has a quasi-gospel flavor.[4] Cash Box said that the song combines "the grace of Simon with a touch of gospel."[5]
Chart performance
editPaul Simon's version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week of October 6, 1973, kept from the summit by Cher's "Half-Breed".[6] It remained in the Top 40 for 14 weeks and was certified a gold record.[7] It also spent two weeks atop the Billboard easy listening chart in September 1973.[2] It reached the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart.[8] The gospel version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" by the Dixie Hummingbirds[9] reached number 72 on the Billboard R&B chart[2] and won the group a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel performance in 1974.
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
|
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[20] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Personnel
edit- Paul Simon – vocals, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars
- David Hood – bass
- Roger Hawkins – brushed drums, tambourine
- The Dixie Hummingbirds – backing vocals
Appearances in other media
editPaul Simon made a promotional appearance on The Muppet Show in 1980 in support of his movie and album One-Trick Pony. The show ended with a performance of "Loves Me Like a Rock" featuring the Muppets.[21]
The song was featured in the end credits of the 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure.[22]
Christian rock band Third Day covered the song on their 2017 album Revival.[23]
The B-Side song "Learn How To Fall" was featured in the last scene of the 2003 film Something's Gotta Give.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Breihan, Tom (August 23, 2019). "The Number Ones: Paul Simon's "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
Later that same year, Simon again made it up to #2 with the giddy, gospel-infused "Loves Me Like A Rock".
- ^ a b c Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications)
- ^ "We Love You Like a Rock/Every Day and Every Hour – The Dixie Hummingbirds". AllMusic. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. July 21, 1973. p. 75. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 21, 1973. p. 21. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Hits, 5th Edition (Billboard Publications)
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)
- ^ "the streak | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Love Me Like A Rock on YouTube
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "RPM100: Singles" (PDF). RPM. 20 (7). Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. September 29, 1973. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "The Programmers' Pop Music Playlist" (PDF). RPM. 10 (29). Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. October 13, 1973. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Paul Simon – Loves Me Like a Rock" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 499. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Paul Simon – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ "Paul Simon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1973/Top 100 Songs of 1973". musicoutfitters.com. 1998–2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1973". Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "American single certifications – Paul Simon – Loves Me Like a Rock". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Greene, Andy (October 10, 2013). "Paul Simon Jams With the Muppets in 1980". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)". IMDb. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- ^ "Third Day Talks Returning to Southern Rock Roots on 'Revival,' Shares Behind-the-Scenes Video". Billboard. June 27, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2020.