Paul Simon's "American Tune"

Though not reflected in this website's database, Paul Simon's well-known song "American Tune" is not an American tune at all. Apart from its bridge section, the song's melody is, note for note, the chorale "Ich will hier bei dir stehen" from Bach's St. Matthew Passion. It's particularly striking to hear the two pieces back to back if you listen to the live version of "American Tune" on the album "Greatest Hits, Etc.," because Simon sang it in D major, the same key as the chorale. The studio version of the song on the "Rhymin' Simon" album is a whole tone lower, in C. Whatever key it's performed in, "American Tune" is a brazen bit of musical plagiarism. Great lyric, though.

Thank you so much for your post.

Last edit: 2021-02-14 04:38:03 UTC by Oldiesmann

Thank you for your post

I was listening to Bach's Matteus' choir and the similarity is striking. I was left wondering whether the bach/simon listeners community is that rarefied. It is, apparently.

Still, a great work to cite, even if unwittingly.

Looks like all the relations have been added in the 10 years since this topic was originally made.