# The Obvious Child

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Song by Paul Simon and Olodum

For the film, see [Obvious Child](/source/Obvious_Child).

"The Obvious Child" Single by Paul Simon from the album The Rhythm of the Saints Released September 1990 (1990-09) Recorded Various 1990 The Hit Factory, New York City Estúdio Transamérica, Rio de Janeiro Impressao Digital Studios, Vinhedo, Brazil Studio Guillaume Tell, Suresnes, France Genre Samba-reggae worldbeat Length 4:10 Label Warner Bros. Songwriter Paul Simon Producer Paul Simon Paul Simon singles chronology "Under African Skies" (1987) "The Obvious Child" (1990) "Proof" (1991)

"**The Obvious Child**" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon). It was the [lead single](/source/Lead_single) from his eighth studio album, *[The Rhythm of the Saints](/source/The_Rhythm_of_the_Saints)* (1990), released by [Warner Bros. Records](/source/Warner_Bros._Records). Written by Simon, its lyrics explore mortality and aging. The song is accompanied by a performance from Brazilian drumming collective [Olodum](/source/Olodum) in a live recording.

The single, released in September 1990, was commercially successful, performing well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the [Album Rock Tracks](/source/Mainstream_Rock_(chart)) chart, where it peaked at number 21. Outside the US, "The Obvious Child" was a top 15 hit in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) and [the Netherlands](/source/The_Netherlands). The song received highly positive reviews upon its release. Simon promoted the song alongside Olodum in a performance on *[Saturday Night Live](/source/Saturday_Night_Live)*. The song also influenced [popular culture](/source/Popular_culture); it is the namesake of the 2014 film *[Obvious Child](/source/Obvious_Child)*.

## Background

The rhythm tracks are performed by [Grupo Cultural Olodum](/source/Olodum), a drumming collective ("[bloco afro](/source/Samba_reggae)") directed by "Neguinho do Samba" (Alves de Souza) and also signed to [Warner Bros](/source/Warner_Bros._Records). It, like many songs on *[The Rhythm of the Saints](/source/The_Rhythm_of_the_Saints)*, was recorded live in the streets of [Pelourinho Square](/source/Historic_Centre_(Salvador%2C_Bahia)) of [Salvador](/source/Salvador%2C_Bahia), [Brazil](/source/Brazil) in February 1988.[1] Simon recalled that his encounter with Grupo Cultural Olodum was "almost accidental". He learned that the ensemble would be rehearsing within the city and traveled with some of his friends to hear them play. Upon hearing them, Simon recalled that he was "blown away by the sound" of the ensemble.[2]

A few days after his initial encounter with Grupo Cultural Olodum, Simon brought an eight-track machine from [Rio de Janeiro](/source/Rio_de_Janeiro) to the streets of Salvador to record the ensemble. He decided to record them in the streets as he felt that it would have been unfeasible to fit all ten members of Grupo Cultural Olodum in a conventional recording studio.[2] Microphones were hung from windows or on telephone poles to capture the performances. According to Simon, "Hundreds of people gathered. It was an amazing day — an amazing recording experience."[3] The vocal track was recorded at [the Hit Factory](/source/The_Hit_Factory) in [New York City](/source/New_York_City).[4]

## Composition

["The Obvious Child"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Obvious_Child.ogg)

The song is based around the rhythm of drumming by [Olodum](/source/Olodum), which was recorded live in the streets of Pelourinho Square of [Salvador](/source/Salvador%2C_Bahia), [Brazil](/source/Brazil).

*Problems playing this file? See [media help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Media).*

The song's drum introduction is indebted to "Madagascar", a song by Olodum from their 1987 LP *Egito Madagáscar*. Writer Steve Sullivan writes that the figure is a "standard device" for the group, who also employ abbreviated versions of it elsewhere on the album: "Salvador Nao Inerte" and "Vinheta Cuba-Brasil".[4] Following this, the song breaks into an instrumental fragment that, according to Stephen Holden of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*, echoes [the Silhouettes](/source/The_Silhouettes)' 1957 [doo-wop](/source/Doo-wop) hit, "[Get a Job](/source/Get_a_Job_(song))". Holden also compared the song's conclusion to another doo-wop song, [the Charts](/source/The_Charts_(American_group))' "Desirie" (1957).[5]

The song's lyrics thematically relate to a fear of aging and leaving behind the "boldness of youth", according to Sullivan.[4] Holden considered it a story of an everyman pondering the uncertainty of life whilst navigating his high school yearbook.[5] *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*'s John Mcalley too found it an everyman battling the fact that his "days have become defined by their limitations and dogged ordinariness."[6] For *The Rhythm of the Saints*, Simon was inspired by poet [Derek Walcott](/source/Derek_Walcott), and would base first-draft lyrics on his poems. Simon attempted to match the rhythmic quality of the composition with his lyrics, whether that meant a lyric was meaningless or not. A lyric relating to "the cross is in the ballpark", for example, has no meaning; Simon said, "I found [it] to be a satisfying rhythmic phrase against the drums."[3]

## Chart performance

In the United States, "The Obvious Child" reached a peak of number 92 on the [*Billboard* Hot 100](/source/Billboard_Hot_100) on January 5, 1991; it spent five weeks on the chart as a whole.[7] It performed better on the magazine's [Mainstream Rock Tracks](/source/Mainstream_Rock_(chart)) chart, where it placed at number 21 on November 10, 1990,[8] and on the [Modern Rock Tracks](/source/Alternative_Songs) chart, where it reached a peak of number 24 a week earlier on November 3. It had more longevity on the former chart, where it spent ten weeks total.[9] In [Canada](/source/Canada), the song debuted on the [*RPM* 100](/source/RPM_(magazine)) on October 20, 1990, at position 98.[10] It peaked at number 28 during the week of December 8, 1990,[11] and remained at that peak for two weeks.[12]

Internationally, the single performed better. In the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), the song premiered on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart) on September 30, 1990, at number 61,[13] and rose over the following weeks to a peak of number fifteen on November 4, 1990.[14] It charted best in [the Netherlands](/source/The_Netherlands)' [Nationale Top 100](/source/Single_Top_100), where it reached a peak of number 12.[15] On [Belgium](/source/Belgium)'s [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop_50), it hit number 29.[16] In [Australasian](/source/Australasia) territories, it charted right outside the top 40: in [Australia](/source/Australia), the song reached number 42,[17] and in [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand), it peaked at number 46.[18]

## Reception

Upon its release, "The Obvious Child" received positive reviews from music critics of the time. Stephen Holden of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* was perhaps the most effusive:

The song "The Obvious Child" [...] sounds like nothing else in contemporary pop. With its juxtaposition of early [rock-and-roll](/source/Rock-and-roll) and [South American percussion](/source/Latin_percussion) that echoes the martial drumbeats on Mr. Simon's 1975 hit, "[Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover](/source/50_Ways_to_Leave_Your_Lover)", it telescopes pop fragments that span more than three decades and three continents into an allusive musical reverie that is beyond generic designation. Even more than on his 1986 masterpiece, the album *[Graceland](/source/Graceland_(album))*, Mr. Simon has melded, reshaped and refined the roots music of divergent cultures into a studio art song of layered textures and wistful, mysterious poetry.[5]

Greg Sandow of *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* praised the song's "confident drums that resound with special exuberant zing".[19] The pan-European magazine *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)* thought that the drumming on "The Obvious Child" gave the "fragile song a solid body".[20] A reviewer for *[People](/source/People_(magazine))* felt that "the more exotic musical elements are subsumed by Simon's pretty pop structures [...] You never get the impression that Paul has truly gone native or even considered it. He's more like a kid camping under the stars in his own backyard."[21] *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* described the song as an "ingenious mixture of African tribal percussion and rockabilly melodies".[22]

Reviews have remained very positive over time. Writer Steve Sullivan, in his book *Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 1* (2013), calls the song "an extraordinary work that surpasses any individual song Paul Simon had ever produced as a solo artist."[4] Cameron Scheetz, in a 2014 article for *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*, examined the song; he called it "the perfect confluence of the wild, frenetic drumming and Simon's folksy melodies."[23]

## Promotion and use in media

Simon performed the song, accompanied by Olodum and Neguinho do Samba, on *[Saturday Night Live](/source/Saturday_Night_Live)* on November 17, 1990.[1]

The song is the namesake for the 2014 film *[Obvious Child](/source/Obvious_Child)*; it appears in a scene in which two characters drunkenly dance together.[23] Director [Gillian Robespierre](/source/Gillian_Robespierre) titled the film with hope that its meaning would be ambiguous.[24]

## Formats and track listing

All songs written by [Paul Simon](/source/Paul_Simon), except where noted.

CD single (W9549CD) "The Obvious Child" – 4:14 "The Rhythm of the Saints" – 4:21 "You Can Call Me Al" – 4:39 "The Boy in the Bubble" (Simon, Forere Motloheloa) – 3:58 7" single (W9549) "The Obvious Child" (Single Mix) – 4:10 "The Rhythm of the Saints" – 4:19 12" single (W9549T) "The Obvious Child" (Single Mix) – 4:10 "The Rhythm of the Saints" – 4:19 "You Can Call Me Al" – 4:40

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1990–91) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[17] 42 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[16] 29 Canada (RPM)[11] 28 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[25] 41 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 12 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 12 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[18] 46 UK Singles (OCC)[14] 15 UK Airplay (Music & Media)[27] 3 US Billboard Hot 100[7] 92 US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[8] 21 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[9] 24 Year-end charts Chart (1990) Position Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] 89 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 91

## Notes

### References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Crook_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Crook_1-1) Larry Crook (2013). *Focus: Music of Northeast Brazil*. Scarecrow Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0810882959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0810882959).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-World_is_His_Beat_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-World_is_His_Beat_2-1) Adrianson, Doug (October 21, 1990). ["Paul Simon: The World is His Beat"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210719002644/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1990-10-21-1990294196-story.html). *[The Baltimore Sun](/source/The_Baltimore_Sun)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1990-10-21-1990294196-story.html) on July 19, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKingston2000278_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKingston2000278_3-1) [Kingston 2000](#CITEREFKingston2000), p. 278.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sullivan_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sullivan_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Sullivan_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Sullivan_4-3) Steve Sullivan (2013). *Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 1*. Scarecrow Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0810882959](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0810882959).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-nyt90_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-nyt90_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-nyt90_5-2) [Stephen Holden](/source/Stephen_Holden) (October 14, 1990). ["POP; Paul Simon's Journey To Brazil and Beyond"](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/10/14/arts/pop-paul-simon-s-journey-to-brazil-and-beyond.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rs_6-0)** John Mcalley (November 6, 1990). ["*The Rhythm of the Saints* – Review"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-rhythym-of-the-saints-19901115). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. No. 486. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Billboardhot100_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Billboardhot100_7-1) "[Paul Simon Chart History (Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Paul-Simon/chart-history/HSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Album_Rock_Tracks_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Album_Rock_Tracks_8-1) ["Paul Simon - Chart history"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/paul-simon/chart-history/mainstream-rock-tracks). *Billboard*. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Modern_Rock_Tracks_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Modern_Rock_Tracks_9-1) ["Paul Simon - Chart history"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/paul-simon/chart-history/alternative-songs). *Billboard*. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RPM100.3_10-0)** ["RPM100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them"](http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.1354&type=2&interval=24&PHPSESSID=vdgegn2uut8ca27r4m28m6md35) (PDF). *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. **52** (23). [Ottawa](/source/Ottawa): [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). October 20, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RPM100.1_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RPM100.1_11-1) ["RPM100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them"](http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9091&type=2&interval=24&PHPSESSID=vdgegn2uut8ca27r4m28m6md35) (PDF). *RPM*. **53** (4). Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. December 8, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RPM100.2_12-0)** ["RPM100: Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them"](http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9112&type=2&interval=24&PHPSESSID=vdgegn2uut8ca27r4m28m6md35) (PDF). *RPM*. **53** (5). Ottawa: Library and Archives Canada. December 15, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Archive Chart: 1990-09-30""](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19900930/7501/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UK_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UK_14-1) "[Official Singles Chart on 4/11/1990 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19901104/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dutch100_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dutch100_15-1) "[Paul Simon – The Obvious Child](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Paul+Simon&titel=The+Obvious+Child&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Single Top 100](/source/Dutch_Single_Top_100). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Belgium_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Belgium_16-1) "[Paul Simon – The Obvious Child](https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Paul+Simon&titel=The+Obvious+Child&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Australia_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Australia_17-1) "[Paul Simon – The Obvious Child](https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Paul+Simon&titel=The+Obvious+Child&cat=s)". [ARIA Top 50 Singles](/source/ARIA_Charts). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-New_Zealand_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-New_Zealand_18-1) "[Paul Simon – The Obvious Child](https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Paul+Simon&titel=The+Obvious+Child&cat=s)". [Top 40 Singles](/source/Official_Aotearoa_Music_Charts). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ew_19-0)** Greg Sandow (October 26, 1990). ["*The Rhythm of the Saints* – Review"](http://www.ew.com/article/1990/10/26/rhythm-saints). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Previews"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-10-06.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. October 6, 1990. p. 18. Retrieved October 11, 2025 – via World Radio History.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-p90_21-0)** ["Picks and Pans Review: *The Rhythm of the Saints*"](http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20113614,00.html). *[People](/source/People_(magazine))*. Vol. 34, no. 20. November 19, 1990. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Single Reviews"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1990/BB-1990-10-13.pdf) (PDF). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. October 13, 1990. p. 79. Retrieved June 18, 2025 – via World Radio History.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-av_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-av_23-1) Cameron Scheetz (December 9, 2014). [""The Obvious Child" is 24 years old, but it's all about the present"](http://www.avclub.com/article/obvious-child-24-years-old-its-all-about-present-212713). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. [The Onion](/source/The_Onion). Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ds_24-0)** [Nathan Rabin](/source/Nathan_Rabin) (June 3, 2014). ["Gillian Robespierre and Jenny Slate on finding Obvious Child's voice"](https://thedissolve.com/features/emerging/597-gillian-robespierre-and-jenny-slate-on-finding-obv/). *[The Dissolve](/source/The_Dissolve)*. Retrieved August 13, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-11-17.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. November 17, 1990. Retrieved June 21, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_26-0)** "[Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 1990](https://www.top40.nl/top40/1990/week-45)" (in Dutch). [Dutch Top 40](/source/Dutch_Top_40). Retrieved April 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Top 20 Airplay Chart"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/M&M-1990-10-20.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. 20 October 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 27 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1990"](https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1990). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 25, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990"](https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=s) (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 25, 2020.

### Sources

- Bennighof, James (2007). [*The Words and Music of Paul Simon*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ShBhKL-9SLIC). Greenwood Publishing Group. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-275-99163-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-275-99163-0).

- Eliot, Marc (2010). [*Paul Simon: A Life*](https://archive.org/details/paulsimonlife0000elio). John Wiley and Sons. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-470-43363-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-43363-8).

- Kingston, Victoria (2000). *Simon & Garfunkel: The Biography*. Fromm International. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-88064-246-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-88064-246-0).

## External links

- [Official music video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HKNAhAxMAk) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e Paul Simon songs Discography The Paul Simon Songbook "I Am a Rock" "Leaves That Are Green" "April Come She Will" "The Sound of Silence" "A Simple Desultory Philippic" "Patterns" Paul Simon "Mother and Child Reunion" "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" "Duncan" There Goes Rhymin' Simon "Kodachrome" "Loves Me Like a Rock" "American Tune" "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" "Something So Right" "St. Judy's Comet" Paul Simon in Concert: Live Rhymin' "The Sound of Silence" Still Crazy After All These Years "Gone at Last" "My Little Town" "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" "Still Crazy After All These Years" Greatest Hits, Etc. "Slip Slidin' Away" "Stranded in a Limousine" One-Trick Pony "Late in the Evening" "One-Trick Pony" "Oh, Marion" Hearts and Bones "Allergies" "The Late Great Johnny Ace" "Think Too Much" Graceland "You Can Call Me Al" "Graceland" "The Boy in the Bubble" "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" "Under African Skies" "Homeless" The Rhythm of the Saints "The Obvious Child" "Proof" "Born at the Right Time" You're the One "Old" "You're the One" Surprise "Father and Daughter" "That's Me" "Outrageous" So Beautiful or So What "Getting Ready for Christmas Day" "The Afterlife" Stranger to Stranger "Wristband" "Cool Papa Bell" "The Werewolf" Featured singles "Wonderful World" "The Blues" "The Boxer" "New York Is My Home" Other songs "Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog after the War" "Thelma" Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Obvious Child](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obvious_Child) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obvious_Child?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.