What is "graceland"

GraceLand is a 2004 novel by Chris Abani, which tells the story of a teenager named Elvis, who is trying to get out of the ghettos of Lagos, Nigeria. Chris Abani depicts the poverty and violence in Lagos and how it affects the everyday lives of Elvis and his family. Having emigrated from Nigeria himself as a result of the Biafran War, Abani’s novel touches on many issues relevant to corruption, poverty, and violence within the country. Elvis's story also touches on issues related to globalization, and how Nigeria's impoverished communities are affected by this phenomenon. The main focus of this story is on Elvis and how he survives in the often harsh environment that is Nigeria’s largest city; Elvis himself is a complex and sympathetic character who clearly cares for his family despite a turbulent upbringing. However, this is complicated by the numerous illegal and morally questionable jobs he takes part in with his friend Redemption.

Graceland is the seventh solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Produced by Simon and Roy Halee, the album was released on August 25, 1986 by Warner Bros. Records. In the early 1980s, Simon's career hit a low point. Following a very successful but contentious reunion with former partner Art Garfunkel, Simon's marriage fell apart and his previous record, Hearts and Bones (1983), was a significant commercial disappointment. In 1984, after a period of depression, Simon became fascinated with a bootleg cassette of South African township music. He planned a trip to Johannesburg in the new year with Halee, where he spent two weeks recording with South African musicians.

Recorded between 1985–86, Graceland features an eclectic mixture of musical styles, including pop, rock, a cappella, zydeco, isicathamiya, and mbaqanga. Simon created new compositions inspired by the recordings made in Johannesburg, collaborating with both African and American artists. Simon faced controversy for seemingly breaking the cultural boycott imposed by the rest of the world against South Africa because of its policy of apartheid. In addition, some critics viewed Graceland as an exploitive appropriation of their culture. Following its completion, Simon toured alongside South African musicians, combining the music of Graceland and their own music.

Despite the controversy, Graceland was a major commercial hit, becoming Simon's most successful studio album. His highest-charting effort in over a decade, Simon's return to the forefront of popular music was considered a remarkable comeback in a fickle music industry. It attracted excellent reviews from music critics, won the 1987 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and sold over 16 million copies worldwide. Graceland has frequently been called one of the best albums of the 1980s, and is present on lists of greatest albums created by numerous publications. It was added to the National Recording Registry in 2007, having been judged to meet the Registry's admission criterion of being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

Graceland is the former estate of Elvis Presley.

Graceland may also refer to:

• Graceland (Elkins, West Virginia), historic house in Elkins, West Virginia
• Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois
• Graceland Cemetery (Washington, D.C.), a former cemetery in Washington, D.C.
• Graceland University, a private, liberal arts university in Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri
• Graceland (album), a 1986 album by Paul Simon
  • "Graceland" (song), the title track of that album
• GraceLand, a 2004 novel by Chris Abani
• Graceland (TV series), a 2013 American television series

"Graceland" is the title song of the album Graceland, released in 1986 by Paul Simon. The song features vocals by The Everly Brothers.

The lyrics deal with the singer's thoughts during a road trip to Graceland after the failure of his marriage to actress and author Carrie Fisher.

Graceland is an American drama television series created by Jeff Eastin that premiered on the USA Network on June 6, 2013. On October 1, 2015, USA Network canceled Graceland after three seasons.

Graceland is the fifth studio album by Kierra Sheard, it was released on July 22, 2014.

Graceland in Elkins, West Virginia is a historic mansion that was the summer home of Henry Gassaway Davis, a United States Senator from 1871–1883. The mansion was completed in 1893. It is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark. Graceland, along with Halliehurst and two other historic buildings on the campus of Davis & Elkins College, form a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places and known as the Davis and Elkins Historic District.