Classic Tracks: Paul Simon 'You Can Call Me Al'. Producer: Paul Simon • Engineer: Roy Halee. Recording. Classic Tracks. By Richard Buskin. Published September 2008. Paul Simon's Graceland album combined a huge mixture of musical styles and was recorded in studios all over the world. The man responsible for putting it all together, both "You Can Call Me Al" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his seventh studio album, Graceland (1986), released on Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics follow an individual seemingly experiencing a midlife crisis. Its lyrics were partially inspired by Simon's trip to South Africa and I can call you Betty And Betty, when you call me You can call me Al Call me Al A man walks down the street It's a street in a strange world Maybe it's the Third World Maybe it's his first time around He doesn't speak the language He holds no currency He is a foreign man He is surrounded by the sound, sound Cattle in the marketplace Scatterlings Get these mutts away from me. You know I don't find this stuff amusing anymore. If you'll be my bodyguard. I can be your long lost pal. I can call you Betty. And Betty when you call me. You can call me Al. A man walks down the street. He says why am I short of attention. You Can Call Me Al Lyrics by Paul Simon from the This Is Us [Original TV Soundtrack] album - including song video, artist biography, translations and more: A man walks down the street He says why am I soft in the middle now Why am I soft in the middle The rest of my life … If you’ll be my bodyguard I can be your long -ost pal I can call you Betty And Betty, when you call me You can call me Al Call me Al. A man walks down the street It’s a street in a strange world Maybe it’s the third world Maybe it’s his first time around He doesn’t speak the language He holds no currency He is a foreign man I can be your long lost pal I can call you Betty And Betty when you call me You can call me Al Call me Al A man walks down the street It's a street in a strange world Maybe it's the Third World Maybe it's his first time around He doesn't speak the language He holds no currency He is a foreign man He is surrounded by the sound The sound Cattle You Can Call Me Al Lyrics by Paul Simon from the Paul Simon 1964/1993 album- including song video, artist biography, translations and more: A man walks down the street He says why am I soft in the middle now Why am I soft in the middle The rest of my life … Paul Simon, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Adrian Belew, Ralph MacDonald, Al Rubin, Bakithi Kumalo, Dave Bargeron, Ronnie Cuber, Rob Mounsey, Lew Soloff, Chikapa “Ray” Phiri, Isaac Mtshali, Kim Allan Cissel, Morris Goldberg contributed to You Can Call Me Al. You Can Call Me Al sheet music by Paul Simon. Sheet music arranged for Piano/Vocal/Guitar in C Major (transposable). SKU: MN0107953_D5 kXWat.