Loves Me Like a Rock
"Loves Me Like a Rock" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his third studio album, "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" (1973), released on Columbia Records. It features background vocals from the Dixie Hummingbirds, a Southern black gospel group. Although the lyrics are not typically associated with gospel music, the Dixie Hummingbirds were eager to record the song with Simon, and they recorded their own version soon after for their 1973 album "We Love You Like a Rock/Every Day and Every Hour". The song peaked at  number two on the "Billboard" Hot 100; it was also a top five hit in Canada. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies. Lyrics and music. According to "Billboard" magazine, the lyrics of "Loves Me Like a Rock" describe "how a mother loved her son, even when he became the president" and the music has a quasi-gospel flavor. "Cash Box" said that the song combines "the grace of Simon with a touch of gospel." Chart performance. Paul Simon's version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" peaked at  number two on the "Billboard" Hot 100 chart the week of October 6, 1973, kept from the summit by Cher's "Half-Breed". It remained in the Top 40 for 14 weeks and was certified a gold record. It also spent two weeks atop the "Billboard" easy listening chart in September 1973. It reached the Top 40 in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. The gospel version of "Loves Me Like a Rock" by the Dixie Hummingbirds reached number 72 on the "Billboard" R&B chart and won the group a Grammy for Best Soul  Gospel performance in 1974. Appearances in other media. Paul Simon performed the song with the Muppets as a guest on "The Muppet Show", where he appeared to promote his new movie and album "One-Trick Pony". The song was featured in the end credits of the 2005 film "". Christian rock band Third Day covered the song on their 2017 album "Revival".