Loves Me Like a Rock

Infobox Single
Name = Loves Me Like a Rock


Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist = Paul Simon
Album = There Goes Rhymin' Simon
A-side =
B-side = "Learn How to Fall"
Released = 1973
Format = 7" (45 rpm)
Recorded =
Genre = Pop, Adult contemporary
Length = 3:32
Label = Columbia Records
Writer = Paul Simon
Producer = Paul Simon, Phil Ramone, Muscle Shoals Sound
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "Kodachrome"
1973
This single = "Loves Me Like
a Rock"
1973
Next single = "American Tune"
1973
Misc =

"Loves Me Like a Rock" is the title of a popular song from 1973 (see 1973 in music) by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Simon wrote the song, which appears on his solo album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon".

"Loves Me Like a Rock" features background vocals from The Dixie Hummingbirds, a Southern gospel group. These vocals add a different texture to the song as compared to many of Simon previous solo recordings ("Mother and Child Reunion", "Kodachrome") as well as those performed with his frequent collaborator, Art Garfunkel, as the pop duo Simon & Garfunkel ("The Sounds of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson"). Although the lyrics aren't typical of those commonly associated with gospel music, The Dixie Hummingbirds were eager to record the song with Simon, and the gospel group recorded their own version of the song soon after.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). "The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits" (Billboard Publications)]

Simon's version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" peaked at #2 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart the week of October 6, 1973, kept from the summit by Cher's hit, "Half-Breed". [Bronson, Fred (2003). "The Billboard Book of #1 Hits", 5th Edition (Billboard Publications)] It remained in the Top 40 for 14 weeks and was certified a Gold Record by the RIAA. [Whitburn, Joel (1996). "The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits", 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)] This original version also spent two weeks atop the "Billboard" adult contemporary chart in September 1973. In addition, it reached the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at #39 on the UK Singles Chart. [ [http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=6204 UK Singles Chart info at chartstats.com] ] The album "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Male Pop Vocal performance.

The gospel version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" by The Dixie Hummingbirds reached #72 on the "Billboard" R&B chart and won the group a Grammy Award in the category Best Soul Gospel performance in 1974.

References

External links

* [http://www.discogs.com/release/1337992 Paul Simon single release info at discogs.com]