Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes

• context/composers intentions

  collaboration with south african group - Ladysmith Black Mambazo

  fusion of African and folk/rock styles

  -relationship between rich girl and poor boy

  -inequality of rich and poor, diamonds representing wealth
• form and structure

  verse and chorus form

  extended unaccompanied intro sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, joined by Paul Simon

  Extended outro by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Paul Simon

  2 instrumental breaks
• Tonality

  Intro in key of E major

  after 34 bars changes to F major

  keys are unrelated
• Melody

  Intro is simple and repeptitive - range of minor 7th

  Verses are in a higher register and mostly syllabic

  chorus starts at very high register - sung falsetto

  outro is repeptitive with sequences and some improvisation
• Harmony


  Extensive use of primary triads, in african tradition

  extended E major chord at beginning

  close harmonies of isicathamiya

  perfect, imperfect and plagal cadences
• Sonority/Timbre

  guitar, bass, and drums, plus trumpet and 2 saxophones - african percussion

  backing vocals by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

  call and response effects

  Paul Simon singing in falsetto range
• Texture

  Chordal texture in opening - Ladysmith Black Mambazo harmonies

  acappella singing

  mostly melody and accompaniment in verse and chorus

  chordal texture in instrumental break

  outro - polyphony
• Tempo, Metre, and Rhythm

  moderate tempo, slight increase after intro

  4/4 with single 2/4 bar

  relaxed feel for intro, then increased energy

  swung quavers

  much syncopation

  speech-like rhythms
• dynamics and articulation

  gradual increase in dynamics as song progresses

  drop in dynamics for outro and fade-out at end

  legato articulation - verses and chorus in narrative style