"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 ''There Goes Rhymin' Simon'' is the third solo studio album by American musician Paul Simon released on May 5, 1973. It contains songs spanning several styles and genres, such as gospel (" Loves Me Like a Rock") and Dixieland (" Take Me to the ...

'' (1973), released on Columbia Records. It features background vocals from

the Dixie Hummingbirds The Dixie Hummingbirds are an influential American gospel music group, spanning more than 80 years from the jubilee quartet style of the 1920s, through the "hard gospel" quartet style of gospel's golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, to the eclecti ...

, 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''.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). ''The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits'' (Billboard Publications) 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

According 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. '' Cash Box'' said that the song combines "the grace of Simon with a touch of gospel."

Chart performance

Paul 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 Half-breed is a term, now considered offensive, used to describe anyone who is of mixed race; although, in the United States, it usually refers to people who are half Native American and half European/white. Use by governments United States I ...

". It remained in the

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is the current, 40 most-popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "Top 40" or "cont ...

for 14 weeks and was certified a gold record. It also spent two weeks atop the '' Billboard'' easy listening chart in September 1973. It reached the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 39 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. The gospel version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" by the Dixie Hummingbirds reached number 72 on the ''Billboard''

R&B chart The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by ''Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 p ...

and won the group a Grammy for Best Soul Gospel performance in 1974.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Personnel

* Paul Simon - vocals, 6 and

12-string A twelve-string guitar (or 12-string guitar) is a steel-string guitar with 12 strings in six courses, which produces a thicker, more ringing tone than a standard six-string guitar. Typically, the strings of the lower four courses are tuned in o ...

acoustic guitars * David Hood - bass * Roger Hawkins - brushed drums,

tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though ...

The Dixie Hummingbirds The Dixie Hummingbirds are an influential American gospel music group, spanning more than 80 years from the jubilee quartet style of the 1920s, through the "hard gospel" quartet style of gospel's golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, to the eclecti ...

- backing vocals

Appearances in other media

Paul Simon made a promotional appearance on ''

The Muppet Show ''The Muppet Show'' is a sketch comedy television series created by Jim Henson and featuring the Muppets. The series originated as two pilot episodes produced by Henson for ABC in 1974 and 1975. While neither episode was moved forward as a s ...

'' 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 The Muppets are an American ensemble cast of puppet characters known for an absurdist, burlesque, and self-referential style of variety- sketch comedy. Created by Jim Henson in 1955, they are the focus of a media franchise that encompasses ...

. The song was featured in the end credits of the 2005 film '' Zathura: A Space Adventure''. Christian rock band

Third Day Third Day was a Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. The band was founded by lead singer Mac Powell, guitarist Mark Lee (both of whom were the only constant members) and Billy Wilkins. Drummer David Carr was the ...

covered the song on their 2017 album ''Revival''.

References

External links

* {{authority control 1973 songs 1973 singles Paul Simon songs Cashbox number-one singles Songs written by Paul Simon Song recordings produced by Phil Ramone Song recordings produced by Paul Simon Columbia Records singles