The Boy in the Bubble (Paul Simon Cover) | Zachary Provost feat. Shanti Piper

This week's Song of the Week is my cover of "The Boy in the Bubble," the opening track from one of my favorite albums of all time, Paul Simon's masterpiece, "Graceland." The album was a life-changer for me, and "The Boy in the Bubble" remains such a powerful opening statement—a haunting portrait of humanity that has not lost one bit of its resonance today. I first conceived of this slower, jazz-influenced arrangement back in the early 2000s and even recorded a version that has yet to be released! When Peter Gabriel released his slowed-down, orchestral interpretation on his 2010 album "Scratch My Back," I remember thinking, "Okay, I was on the right track." Today, I'm pleased to share my own take on this remarkable Paul Simon song, stripped down to just piano, vocals, and the beautiful voice of my wife, Shanti Piper. Many people I know, myself included, feel sad and scared about the state of the world. I'm grateful to my hero, Paul Simon, for writing a song that helps us confront these feelings and find the kind of catharsis that only great music can provide. If you enjoy this performance, please subscribe for more weekly covers, original music, and Song of the Week videos. #PaulSimon #TheBoyInTheBubble #Graceland #CoverSong #SongOfTheWeek