| Paul Simon – Graceland Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| I adore the bit about the girl in New York City. It's so obscure but lovely. Admittedly a brilliant song. | |
| Paul Simon – Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Sorry, musical snob, because I like what you're saying about complexity, and how music and lyric can be understood on a deeper level than mere analysis and blind interpretation, but I like those things, so I'm going to interpret anyway. Don't kill me, I'm only 14! The metaphor of diamonds being on someone's soles means, to me: free-spirited-ness, beauty, love, dissolution of social boundaries, hope and other good things. The girl already has these things, and yet she is willing to share them with a poor boy, because of love. This sounds irreparably childish, but the lines 'The poor boy changes clothes and he puts on aftershave/to compensate for his ordinary shoes' makes me want to cry every time. From genuine sadness, not from poor songwriting (that happens to me, too). He is trying so hard to impress this totally beyond-reach girl, who is so wealthy she can wear diamonds on the soles of her shoes, and yet all he can do is put on cheap aftershave and change clothes... I'll try not to cry as I'm writing this. 'To compensate for his ordinary shoes' is evocative and saddening too, it's like, 'Oh, I only have ordinary shoes, now I'm afraid she won't like me.' Aww, poor poor boy. I'll go out with you. However, there's no need for that, because they do go out, and end up sleeping in a doorway, unusual to say the least for a girl like her. This doesn't matter, though, because they're both wearing diamonds; bcause the poor boy is in love with her, and has gained the knowledge and qualities I believe are attributed to diamonds (see above). Also, it's a great song. PS I actually couldn't help it musical_snob; I have an addiction to interpretation... |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Overs Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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The voices are both singing solo verses here, which is relatively strange for S&G, but works very well. One of their most poetic songs, and to think a man who was only in his 20s wrote it. Constant refs to time, and I love 'No good times, no bad times There's no times at all just the NY Times' Very clever and meaningful lyrics all through, and it kind of starts and ends with the word 'Over' but in different ways. Melancholy at its best. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Old Friends Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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The line 'How terribly strange to be 70' is even sadder now that the person who wrote it almost is - he's 63, I think. I was shocked to hear that Paul didn't look happy at the Old Friends Concert in Chicago, I thought for once that they'd resolved their arguments. Obviously not. Anyhoo, divine song, love the soaring music and glowing lyrics. rsterp, you're right, the lyric is sunset, and your interpretation of that is bang on. I never thought of it that way: it's so sad. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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It was originally going to be called Mrs. Roosevelt, but Mike Nichols asked Pul to change it for the movie so he did. Besides that, it's easy to draw paralells between the song and movie. In the movie, mrs. Robinson is growing older (Trivia: She's actually only 5 years older than Hoffman!) and unstable. She wants to be young, so she instigates an affair with a son of her friend's. Now the Mrs. Robinson in the movie is obviously questionable mentally and seems to have a problem with drink, and I think if you read the lyrics over with this in mind, you may come to the conclusion that she is in a Mental Institution or a Rehabilitation Centre. I did, and I think I'm pretty close to the truth. The DiMaggio reference in my mind means Mrs Robinson (possibly while under prescribed drugs) is calling out from a hospital bed, 'Where have you gone Joe Di Maggio, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you' as a symbol of what is good in America, and as a symbol of my generation. THe nurse is trying to comfort her and tells her that Joltin' Joe has left and gone away, and the hey-hey-hey's are tying to comfort Mrs. R when she gets upset at this news. Just a theory of course, anyone got any other thoughts (besides the obnoxious sebastianguilt)? By the way, regan89, I know you're only 16 so the Graduate was before your time, but hey, I'm 14 and I loved it! I recommend you give it a try. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Keep The Customer Satisfied Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Yeah, so jolly and vibrant. Love the voices, the lyrics and the trumpets (!) but I have to ask: what the hell does 'one step ahead of the shoe shine, two steps away from the county line' mean? I've wracked my brains! | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – Kathy's Song Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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It conjures up images simply and lastingly. For some reason, I love every single line in this not-particularly-famous S&G song. Kathy was a fairly long-term girlfriend of Paul's, who lived in England, and she does also appear in the song 'America'. They're spilt up now, obviously, for years, but I bet it feels lovely to have two of what I think are some of the greatest songs ever written for you. The emotions in this are raw and powerful and quite glorious, and this is definitely an achievement for S&G (more obviously Simon, who wrote and performed this alone.) |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – I Am A Rock Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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This song is about a man trying to convince himself that he doesn't need anybody else to make himself happy, but at the end he can't live a happy life alone. Jinx, although dngshouse's theories may not be true, a songwriter certainly does think deeply about everything that gets put into his/her songs. A lot of songs have symbolism that isn't immediately obvious, and finding it isn't overanalysing. But... don't kill me, because obviously I like the overall meaning of the song, etc. but I don't think it's even close to their best. The alliteration is annoying and the whole song is kind of pretentious and adolescent (i should know, I am one!) and some lines are just childish. Sorry, but I feel that compared to other songs of his (America, The Boxer, Bridge OTW) this pales considerably in comparison. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – I Am A Rock Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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This song is about a man trying to convince himself that he doesn't need anybody else to make himself happy, but at the end he can't live a happy life alone. Jinx, although dngshouse's theories may not be true, a songwriter certainly does think deeply about everything that gets put into his/her songs. A lot of songs have symbolism that isn't immediately obvious, and finding it isn't overanalysing. But... don't kill me, because obviously I like the overall meaning of the song, etc. but I don't think it's even close to their best. The alliteration is annoying and the whole song is kind of pretentious and adolescent (i should know, I am one!) and the way he reads some lines is just childish. Sorry, but I feel that compared to other songs of his (America, The Boxer, Bridge OTW) this pales considerably in comparison. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Homeward Bound Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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These lyrics are really beautiful. They are so easy to connect with and yet so complex in a way. It's a credit to Simon's songwriting that he can build a song so personal, but yet have it appeal to so many others. I agree with startingtoramble, I especially love But all my words come back to me In shades of mediocrity Like emptiness in harmony I especially love the 'emptiness in harmony' line, because you can just imagine emptiness, but echoed back in harmony. I take issue with the clumsy percussion, though. It's too blatant and lud for such a soft, gentle song and for me it even makes it hard to listne to. Do me a favour, put the disc on and listen to the drums. Maybe you like them, but the drive me crazy: the only bad thing in a lovely song. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – He Was My Brother Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Yeah, I think Simon knew Goodman from school or something. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – Bye Bye Love Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Yep, the Everly Brothers wrote and performed this song. Simon & Garfunkel covered it, cos the Everly Brothers were their idols. OK, my question is, is this live?! The album cover (The Essential S&G) says it's not, but what's with all the clapping and cheering then? Is it just added for effect or is the cover wrong? |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – A Hazy Shade of Winter Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Simon lyrics are pure poetry, and logging on to this site reminds me of every beautiful song he has written. razajac, I haven't heard the B-Side, but now I really want to. It sounds very Simon-esque! Have to say that as a young fan, I can't claim to understand the emotions in a lot of his songs, and this is no exception. However, I think thatchinagirl is right about her theory. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Cloudy Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| A scoundrel or a scamp, I presume. I simply love the way he reads that line. It sounds so innnocent but mischievous. Really like the whole song, comes together just really well and all tinkly and pretty! | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – Cecilia Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Paul Simon described it as "a bit of musical fluff... but it worked!" I love the St. Cecelia thing though. Defintiely brings new meaning. I thought it was slightly unsophisticated for the genius himself! | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – Bookends Theme Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| autumninlove, I am exactly the same, except different movie! I first heard them in Almost Famous, and it was love at first note. I know what you mean about obsessive, I absolutely adore the duo. This song conveys innocence through its lyrics and its childlike simplicity and beauty. Love every short minute of it. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – America Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I have so much to say about this song. To all who mentioned Almost Famous, it introduced me to this, my favorite band, and it is my favortie movie! Speaking of favorites, this happens to be my favorite song of all time. Poetry set to beautiful, glorious music, true emotions of young adults. I am so sad that I wasn't alive at the time of release, and that I'm only catching on now that they're 63! Is it good at the end when all the cars on the NJ turnpike are looking for America too? Does it mean they have support and lots of kindred spirits, or does it mean that the real America doesn't exist and really it's just one big turnpike. As far as international appeal goes, I can second that as an Irish girl. And it can appeal to people of all ages too (my nine year old sister and her best friend put it on repeat for hours!) A truly genius song. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Bleecker Street Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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Thirty dollars pays your rent is a reference to Jesus being sold for pieces of silver. At least that's what Artie says! I obviously read the same quote as you, howtobegood! I shiver every time I hear "shadows touch a shadows hand" bit. Beautifully sung, beautifully written, and a gorgeous underrated song. |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – Baby Driver Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| I can't believe nobody commented on this song, i really like it. It's definitely a change in style from classic S&G, such as America and Sound of Silence though. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – At The Zoo Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| Yeah, I thought it did give the government a sort of poke. How does it make fun of racism? I love that idea, but I don't see it. | |
| Simon and Garfunkel – A Poem On The Underground Wall Lyrics | 19 years ago |
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I was under the impression that it was a swear word, since they are often referred to (at least over here) as four-letter words. Love/hate is a more romantic, poetic option though! Love the band, love the song, but it's certainly not my favorite! |
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