Simon, Paul - Cool Papa Bell Lyrics

Ugly DOES got a case to make.

Hearing this song, I know why I've been fan from the beginning, What a fantastic, straight to the heart song, thank you so much

Its not like every rodent gets a birthday cake, its like; yow a chipmunk how cute is that but you u motherfucka are a filthy rat

Check the 3 strummed guitar licks at about the 12 second mark of 'Love is Strange', very similar to here.

Anyone else hearing the a little bit of sampled guitar from "Love is Strange" by Mickey and Sylvia? They start at 0:48 and recur during the chorus.

Thsi is my favorite "modern" song of his, from the last 20 yrs or so. Can't wait for new album out in September. Hell yes, more Tuba!!

More Tuba!

I wish Paul would continue to make music.

cool taco bell

For those of you who assert that Simon's use of vulgarity is gratuitous, or even "bitter and unpleasant", consider the following I found at the website "Every Single Paul Simon Song".

http://paulsimonsongs.blogspot.com/

[The person whose POV is given by the singer] points out that there was once this baseball player who had several such nicknames! He was "The Fastest Man on Earth," for example, and also, he was known as "Cool Papa." So he was known for being calm, even in situations where one might not be. And he was known for being in charge, like his fellow ballplayer David "Big Papi" Ortiz... or musicians like "Big Daddy" Kane or Puff Daddy.

So that's three nicknames for one James Bell: Fastest Man, Cool, and Papa. (Kool Moe Dee is just cool, Earl "Fatha" Hines is just a father, but Cool Papa Bell is both.)

Now, the speaker talks about what might be the most common, um, nickname, and it's an "ugly" one: "Motherfucker." He says this is "often heard as a substitute for someone's Christian name."

This is the second reference I recall which indicates that the MFer moniker was actually used for Cool Papa. I continue to look for the first reference.

"The fastest man on earth did dwell ". The legendary Satchel Paige once said of Cool Papa Bell that he was so fast that after flicking the light switch off, he would make it under the bed covers before the light went out! Although Paige was famous for his colorful quotes, this one wasn't an exaggeration in that back in the day, it could take a few seconds for a light circuit to respond.

2 am and I'm sitting with my cat on my stomach and listening to this and just chuckling in the dark 😂 i really like this song, it's just so much fun, not as fun as you can call me al but still v fun.

Rhyming Paul Simon, I've loved your music for decades and am so glad you're still singing and composing. You are awesome!!!

He's such an original inventive artist. A great talent

To be grateful every day to be here HE MUST BE HAPPY! But I love this song...

Once again another CLASSIC. Keep'um coming (Wait bad words I'm shocked) Just in time oes good with our new F-en President. We should all say F%^$.

I can't think of a better example of the word "Living Legend". I wish I could Like this video more than once..

After 60 years of clean music Paul Simon finally swears.

He has sworn before on his albums.

'the Spanish boys have had their day in court, and now it's time for some fuckin law & order'

Paul is a music genius but this song did not do it for me. I'm big fan of S&G and even through their separate solo careers have i ever heard such raw and disrespectful language in his music. I u going to tell that 16yrs old child it's ok because they are all out there?

I grew up with Papa Bell grandson. Cool Papa Bell

Tyrone Pollard That's awesome, There is a big documentary being made about The legends of the Negro league it be amazing to speak to him about his grandfather

Isn't " static image video " an oxymoron?
A video is a recording of a moving image.

Video is Latin for I See. It means seeing things in general, not just on a screen moving. Audio is also latin for I Hear.

video
ˈvɪdɪəʊ/Submit
noun
1.
the recording, reproducing, or broadcasting of moving visual images.
"it's a great option for anyone looking to start using video to talk over the Net"
2.
a recording of moving visual images made digitally or on videotape.
"she could post videos of the event on the Internet"
verbBRITISH
1.
make a video recording of (something broadcast on television).
"how many programmes have you videoed and never managed to watch?"
2.
film with a video camera.
"he videoed our wedding"

How about that then?

I LOVE when he goes Heaven finally found 6 trillion light years away but we are all going to get there someday..... But not you!!!

Congrats Bobby Dylan on your Nobel Prize. It's your turn next Cool Papa Paul 👍

Can someone please unpack the lyrics? What does he mean by quotes like "I don't think because it's not my job to worry or to think" and "No it's 'you're a chipmunk, how cute its that?'"? And what's up with the foul language? Did Papa Bell talk like this?

luv the tuba ....Paul brilliant as always .....

well said Frederick

Love this! old school Paul Simon :-D

Greetz from The Netherlands. Paul did it again and how!! A good and wonderful piece of work and it is a shame that we hardly hear this kind of music on our radios dear people!!

Everyone talk about Justin and his Instagram, why do you have to worry about Justin when you have Paul?

Musicianship at its finest.

just like the early days of Paul Simon interesting poetry , rhyme . Surprised he still has it . Because he is a poet .

I honestly get the feeling that this'll be the only song that'll be remember in 50 years, the rest are just too....emotionless.

I meant the rest of the songs on this album.

+canadmexi I think stranger to stranger has some great emotion in it

so real so shocking thanks didn't need to use those words but you did! love it. sometimes no other words will do even for a multi-generational poet

also blogged in Ukraine
http://wetchina.blogspot.com/2016/06/paul-simon-stranger-to-stranger.html

Brilliant, as ever Paul - made even more magical by our friends from Africa with their magical sense of rhythm and insuperable percussive skills

Fantastic, Paul! Reminds me of something from Graceland, and I love how he isn't afraid to use harsh language. He is truly one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. This whole album is amazing.

Yep, sounds like some of the same dudes backing him as the guys in Soweto did in 1987.........................i.e. it's got those Graceland elements, and much more.

I agree.

I hate every album he made since Hearts and Bones!

Fuck you then...piss off.

And you!

Bad Language!!!!!!!!!!!   No need for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow...never heard Paul Simon curse! I sure like the song though.

You want to her the Capeman album or NOT!   His language in it is absolutely disgusting!   I think it sums up his basic IQ!   Fancy paying all that money for albums like this just to hear disgustingly bad language when people just wish to be entertained!   Shows his sheer lack of ability with words!

+Mike Fuller If Paul Simon has shown us anything since hitting the scene in 1964 it is the fact that he is capable of writing Beautiful lyrics... I admit I was surprised to hear him curse simply because I have never known him to do that before. That being said I have only heard the song One Time. I am willing to bet that after hearing it once or twice more I will discover a reason for the cursing.

Awaiting: Illuminati comment.

Cool song!

Glad to hear OJ is still going to get to heaven, 6 trillion light years isn't that far away

Dear Paul. Your music has been entertaining me for decades. It's been the sound track to my life. It is a HUGE privilige to have sought after tickets to your live concert this year. Stay well my friend...........well well well...........it feels like you are....my friend xxx

This is honestly one of the best songs he's ever made!

I totally agree.

XXWXWXW so do I

This is up there with You Can Call Me Al and Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes.

canadmexi it's amazing sounds like it cud off been on the Graceland album it's a wonderful song

Hearing the MF startled me initially but it fits. The guy just is a musical genius. Look forward to his concert next week!

What a nice guy ,writes whats in our heads .

I never take to a song the first time I here them but strangely I did this one

This track outshines all the other songs on the album as a fine addition to his repertoire

where's art?

Art Work?
I see you're a simple minded fucker...your stupid user name trying to make a joke of the name Lennon, then your feeble minded sees a Paul Simon video and cannot accept that he can make msic without Garfunkel.
Your comment will be dispersed into cyber space, never to be seen again.

To me Paul Simon has had "four eras". First with Simon & Garfunkel, then the debut up to Hearts and Bones, then Graceland to Songs from the Capeman and finally You're the One to Stranger to Stranger (maybe even until next album). My will guess is that the albums You're the One, Surprise, So Beautiful or So What and Stranger to Stranger haven't reached that many people compared to his eariler "classic" work. These are different and not always as direct as many of his eariler songs. Give them some time before you judge. You don't have to like it right away.. Just listen now and again and let them sink in.

WALL TO WALL TO PAUL FUN!

After three times I listen to it, I can say with no doubts that I'm officially addicted to this album.

June 3rd.... It's a good day! :-)

Truly fantastic day!!

Class song from a true artist. 74 and still original and brilliant!

Mr. Paul Simon is no "One Trick Pony!" Thank you Sir for your Music! It's refreshing as always. Your Music Genius is always welcomed. Despite the views that don't agree with everyone, your music is the common magnet in a polarized world. Peace and Love be with you and yours.

Spot on!

Well I wouldn't argue with that. Amazing unusual lyrics, musical arrangements, and clear easy going singing

EXQUISITE DESERVED  TRIBUTE,FREDRICK..SALUTE AND THANK YOU FOR WRITING ITCAPS DUE TO SIGHT LOSS.

Fredrick High

+archie bell ME TOO.

Another bad song , same complaints as Wristband, it hurts my ears to listen to this. Don't care for the swearing either, or not being able to concentrate on the lyrics, they
might be good, I can't believe this is Paul.

Impressive that even at his age an old man can still have the creative mind to come up with such a fun and interesting song. Paul's still got it!

Paul rarely disappoints, still has that great energy from years ago, love him so. The new album will be mine in a few days, so excited, another album to enjoy forever.

Donald Trump is going to Make America Great Again
#VoteTrump

ass hole

Yeah right XD

Paul Simon already Made America Great Again!

@TheSporehacker You'll see

It turns out to be
A great thing for me
I don't worry (And?)
I don't think (Because?)
It's not my job to worry or to think
I'm more like:
"Everyday I'm here I'm grateful"
and that's the gist of it
Now you may call that a bogus, bullshit, new-age point of view,
But check out my tattoo
Says: wall-to-wall fun
Does everyone know everyone,
Mr. Wall-to-wall fun?
Well, well, well,
And Cool Papa Bell,
The fastest man on Earth did dwell as
Cool Papa Bell

Love this. Paul killin' it. Sonofabitch he's still got it!

yep...still got it

oh my god. I love it and I love him. I'm so excited for this album it's insane. always been a fan and always will be <3

This album sounds very exciting, what an incredible voice for his age it has remained pristine for decades ,and I love the electronic influence (Radiohead and this in the same month) it's going to be a good summer

This sounds like Vampire Weekend with some Paul Simon added on top.

Hah, just kidding, I know they were influenced by him. Art imitates art imitates art.

My favourite track from the new album (though I can see why Paul picked Wristband to be the lead single) because it really reminds me of the Graceland days. I think the song is about unfairness in life - chipmunks are considered cute but rats aren't*, and that metaphor extends to beautiful people being placed higher than ugly people without considering their worth, and even if everyone gets to go to Heaven there's always gonna be someone you think doesn't deserve to go. I'm not entirely sure how Cool Papa Bell fits into it, unless Paul is implying that despite being the "fastest man on earth" Bell would've still been subject to discrimination solely because of the colour of his skin, which fits the theme of the song. Any other interpretations?

Yes! Cool Papa Bell was a handsome man. https://bill37mccurdy.com/2011/09/25/7377/

I do believe he just resurrected the tuba. How delightfully Paul Simon- love this.

Is it just me or does this song sound a bit like 'guantanamera'? :)

Good song

I guess I'm quite unlucky really. I'm 16 and I only really discovered Paul Simon in the last year. So this means I may not experience all the excitement of hearing Paul Simon on the radio or waiting for his new albums to be debuted. Born in the 60s? You're bloody lucky.

+WeMuckAround You can always wait for his very new album to be debuted, June 3rd! :)

Well, you should be happy, because you discovered Paul Simon. Those of your age who still listen to Justin Bieber's music should worry a lot. And the best thing is that once you discover one great artist, it's a lot easier to discover the others, since they usually collaborate a lot. Have a nice discovering-time man.

Bloody lucky? I'm almost bloody dead! Just kidding.

Still plenty life left in this old mother folker yet. Great tune.

fuckin love you Paul

When is the next single??? I want to get a tatoo that says wall to wall fun who is with me

oh look.......my toes are tapping.......the thrill of a good song!!!! wall to wall fun!!.....crazy good!

This track is wall to wall fun.

wow this is so good. tuba, where have you been all my life

This song has a bit of the Graceland/South African feel to it. It kind of sounds like Gumboots/Crazy Love Vol II in it

At his age, making this music ....Frank Lloyd Wright of songwriting , better and better with age. He still really really cares !

The layered, digital soundscape mixed with the familiar Simon sound is subtle and an interesting departure. The lyrics are also more surreal than usual, with a less structured narrative, jolting the expectations of Simon fans with juxtapositions like 'motherfucker' and 'ubiquitous.' He is still inventive, pushing the storytelling into new new dimensions.

I'm so excited

Instant classic!

In a year that has see many musical icons fall, appreciate those who are still with us. Thanks Paul for everything. JUNE 3RD CAN NOT COME SOON ENOUGH.

Paul Simon is a musical and lyrical treasure. This is a remarkable recording that I imagine will only deepen with repeated lingerings.. bravo!

I am feeling this. I do wish for clear lyrics.

I gotta say this is His best since Rhythm of the Saints

Yet another beauty to add the to his list :) ... Best American songwriter there's ever been, as far as i'm concerned :))

If you can't name one Dylan song from the 70's on, that's on you stranger. He has won an Album of the Year Grammy, an Academy Award for Best Song, has had 2 #1 albums in the last 10 years. Things Paul Simon certainly has not done. Simon's last really recognizable album was Graceland. 30 years ago. I'm a Simon fan, obviously I'm here watching this vid. Actually, I'm watching Dylan this very Friday.

awards have nothing to do with success

ever hear the piece of shit he won the academy award for? give me a F@@@ing break!

+John Lemmon Of course I've heard it. I play it all the time. Great song.

Him and Billy Joel come joint second in my opinion. The best is Todd Rundgren.

cool new refreshing music !!! gotta get the new album !!!

There's something great about hearing him saying 'Motherfucker' - still moving man, he's still moving!

I read somewhere that it took many, many takes to record it, because it's not in his regular vocabulaire so it just didn't sound right to him.
Seems like he really thinks it is an 'ugly word'. And he is, of course, right.

Can someone explain why he's talking about this guy, the cursing and the "filthy rabbit' line? I'd use Genius but they haven't made an article on the song yet.

+canadmexi You got me on that one. The use of the word "Papa" has been a theme of his for decades though. I imagine that like many song writers ( including me ) he may come up with the chorus first and then builds the verses around it. Sometimes results in a song where the chorus doesn't really have a lot to do with the verse.

+Mister James Oh I just realized that like Wristband, this song's about discrimination.

+canadmexi Cool Papa Bell was black.

+canadmexi And cute as a bug's ear!

Mister James I think you've summarized the song very well. Great points all.

super!!

I don't mind listening to this if I ignore the lyrics. The bullshit / motherfucker lyrics just don't sit right with me when they come from Paul. Whole track seems to slip in and out of its identity.

+Marianne Biggs I know those lyrics are not typical of him over the years, but his "Songs from The Capeman" album features quite a handful of four letter words in his lyrics, so this is not a first and isn't anything compared to that

+Chris M Haha isn't there totally a song called "You fucked up my life" in The Capeman?

My comment isn't saying profanity is unique to this record... It's me saying I never like it from Paul Simon. Past lyrics and present lyrics

LOVE IT!!!!

Great song!

what an awesome song, love from switzerland 🖐

I'm from Switzerland too!

I once made a swiss roll, pushed him off a cliff.

+Clive Bindley Lol

paul can still inspire!!!!!!!

Yes he still can! Could you tell me your favorite solo album from him? (apart from Graceland)

One Trick Pony

rythmn of the saint- which came out right after Graceland. bought both and play songs from them frequently. & yes- one trick pony

My top 3 are in no order...Hearts And Bones, The Rhythm of The Saints and One Trick Pony, all 3 very underrated.

There goes Rhymin' Simon, Hearts and Bones, and Graceland.

Just wow

Very very interesting. Certainly a Simon tune but the lyrics are quite different and a bit odd, in a good way. I'm gonna go with brilliant, as of now, I think.

Nice! I love it like always :)

Honestly, not Paul's best work. I need to read the lyrics and listen to it a few more times but it just feels bitter and unpleasant. Maybe that was the point hence why further evaluation is needed but I hope the rest of this album isn't as vulgar and muddled

+Humans Are Silly I love the confusion of working out what his songs are about :) And how can you hate this tune? ;)

It turns out to be
A great thing for me
I don't worry
And I don't think
Because it's not my job to worry or to think
Not me
I'm more like
Every day I'm here, I'm grateful
And that's the gist of it
Now you may call that a bogus
Bullshit, New Age point of view
But check out my tattoo
Says Wall-to-Wall Fun
Does everyone know everyone?
Mr. Wall-to-Wall Fun
Meet Dr. Well, Well, Well
And Cool Papa Bell
The fastest man on Earth did dwell
As Cool Papa Bell
Motherfucker, ugly word
Ubiquitous and often heard
As a substitute for someone's Christian name
And I think, yeah
The word is ugly, all the same
Ugly got a case to make
It's not like every rodent gets a birthday cake
No, it's, You're a chipmunk, how cute is that?
But you, you motherfucker, are a filthy rat
And well, well, well
Is it true, Papa Bell
That the beauties go to heaven
And the ugly go to hell
Cool Papa Bell
Have you all heard the news:
Heaven Finally Found
Ok, it's six trillion light years away
But we're all gonna get there someday
Yes, we're all gonna get there one day
We all gonna get, we all gonna get, we…
But—but not you
You stay and explain
The suffering and the pain you caused
The thrill you feel when evil dreams come true
And check out my tattoo
It says Wall-to-Wall Fun
Does everyone know everyone?
Mr. Wall-to-Wall Fun
Meet Dr. Well, Well, Well
And Cool Papa Bell
The fastest man on Earth did dwell
As Cool Papa Bell
And you're never gonna stop him
Never gonna stop
Never gonna stop him
I'm never gonna stop
You never gonna
Never gonna stop
Never gonna stop
No, no you never gonna stop
Never gonna stop

I think Paul was trying to shed some light on the irony of the use of modern day society's use of swear words. I do agree, though, the vulgar language sort of makes this song seem bitter and unpleasant.

Honestly it is only your opinion and you can not factually state this is not his best work

OK, as a baseball fan, I distinctly recall that the MFer reference was salient to the story of Cool Papa Bell, I believe in that it was, in a sense, a "substitute for his christian name". I've been trying to recall where I saw that reference, but I bet it could be found.