☀️ About the Song
Paul Simon wrote Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard when he was fresh out of Simon & Garfunkel and determined to prove he could groove solo. It’s a mischievous tale of two lads, a mysterious “incident” by a schoolyard, and a flurry of gossip — with Simon deliberately leaving out what actually happened. (Spoiler: nobody knows. That’s the joke.)
Released in 1972, it’s a joyous stew of Latin percussion, whistling, and quickfire lyrics — the musical equivalent of a cheeky grin and a getaway bike. Beneath the breezy bounce, it’s about small-town scandal and how fast rumours travel when nothing exciting ever happens.
🎸 Ukulele Playing Tips
- Chords: G – C – D7 is the spine, with a brief A or Am passing chord for flavour.
- Strumming: Bouncy and percussive. Go for D x U x U x where x = palm-mute “chuck.” The rhythm’s half the fun.
- Tempo: Around 110–115 bpm. Keep your right hand loose and funky — it’s folk meets samba.
- Syncopation: Push the “and” after 2 and 4 slightly forward for that Latin pop skip.
- Optional whistle solo: Yes, really. If you can whistle in tune, do it. If not, hum and own it.
- Dynamic lift: Bring it down on the verses and explode on “See me and Julio…” with full-strum joy.
🧠 Trivia You Can Drop Casually
- Simon never revealed what the boys did “down by the schoolyard.” Theories range from gambling to graffiti to something far naughtier. He just smiles when asked.
- The track features Brazilian percussionists — Simon was already blending world rhythms long before Graceland.
- The music video (1988 re-release) includes Big Daddy Kane, John Madden, and Mickey Mantle — because why the hell not.
- It’s a staple of live shows; Simon often extends it with conga solos and audience whistles.
🌈 Final Word
This one’s pure mischief on four strings. Keep your strum crisp, your grin wide, and your inner 12-year-old ready for detention. If your foot isn’t tapping, check your pulse.
