“Born At The Right Time” by Paul Simon

"Born At The Right Time" comes from The Rhythm of the Saints, Paul Simon's eighth solo studio album, released by Warner Bros. in October 1990. Having drawn on South African music for Graceland in 1986, Simon pointed this record toward Brazil, making five trips there across 1988 and 1989 and chasing the sounds of the street musicians he came across.

The song carries a deep bench of players. Mingo Araújo, Dom Chacal and Sidinho Moreira play congas, with Araújo also on bell and Moreira on bass drum; Bakithi Kumalo and Armand Sabal-Lecco hold down the bass, Félix Sabal Lecco drums, and C.J. Chenier squeezes the accordion. J.J. Cale and Vincent Nguini play guitar alongside Simon, who wrote it alone, and "Sissi" Catherine Elolongue, Florence Gnimagnon and Charlotte Mbango sing backing vocals.

Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz.