Paul Simon is an American singer-songwriter and musician best known for his work as half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel. He has also had a successful solo career, releasing 12 studio albums and winning 13 Grammy Awards. His songs are often characterized by their insightful, wistful lyrics and memorable, often complex melodies. His most successful albums include Graceland, The Rhythm of the Saints, and Stranger to Stranger. As a solo artist, Simon has also collaborated with artists such as Brian Eno, Philip Glass, and Wynton Marsalis.
| Name | Paul Simon |
| Birth Date | October 13, 1941 |
| Genres | Folk, rock, pop, world, jazz |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, actor |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Labels | Columbia, Warner Bros., Hear Music |
| Associated acts | Simon & Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel, Graceland, The Everly Brothers |
10 Best Paul Simon Quotes
“I think it’s important to ask questions and keep learning. I’m still learning.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“I think you can always find ways to make it new. I’m still doing that.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“I’m very interested in the idea of taking something that is familiar and making it strange.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“I always try to make sure that I’m not taking the easy way out.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“Writing is a process of discovery.”
– Paul Simon, from Brain Pickings
“I think the best lyrics come when one is in a state of grace about the subject.”
– Paul Simon, from Brain Pickings
“I think the creative process, whatever it is that you’re writing, is a process of becoming more and more conscious.”
– Paul Simon, from Brain Pickings
“You want to keep it fresh and alive, and part of that is sometimes taking a risk.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“I think what it takes to write is a combination of confidence and insecurity.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“I think the best songs have a strange combination of the familiar and the unfamiliar.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
7 Paul Simon Quotes About Simon and Garfunkel
“I think the joy in our singing came out of the joy of being together again.”
– Paul Simon, from Rolling Stone
“We never had a problem with our voices together. They went together like cream and sugar. […] We were very lucky that we could sing together.”
– Paul Simon, from Grammy
“The sound of Simon & Garfunkel when I hear it played on the radio is one of the most beautiful sounds I know.”
– Paul Simon, from Rolling Stone
“We weren’t communicating, we were talking at each other. We had a lot of anger.”
– Paul Simon, from Grammy
“One of the great things about Simon & Garfunkel was that it was a group that was formed out of a friendship. We had a deep and long-lasting friendship.”
– Paul Simon, from WBUR
“The sound of our voices together has always been what I like best – that blend.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“We were always in different places, Artie and I. We were always on different journeys, always on different paths.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
5 Inspirational Paul Simon Quotes
“The best music is made when you’re open to any possibility.”
– Paul Simon, from Bustle
“I’ve been able to do music, and that’s a blessing.”
– Paul Simon, from Interview Magazine
“I don’t think it’s necessary to know how to read or write music to be able to write a song.”
– Paul Simon, from Songfacts
“This is what I’ve been doing since I was 12 years old, and I’m still doing it. I’m still learning.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“I think it’s a great thing to be able to express yourself through song.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
7 Famous Paul Simon Quotes
“I’ve always thought of the songs that I write as little movies.”
– Paul Simon, from Rolling Stone
“Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“I write songs as a way of understanding life.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“I can go in the studio and if I have an idea of what I want, I can usually make it happen.”
– Paul Simon, from Grammy
“I’m trying to make music that has some kind of purpose and meaning, that isn’t just empty calories.”
– Paul Simon, from The Hollywood Reporter
“I think that I’m always trying to find the most concise way of saying something.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“I think that I’m basically a melodic songwriter, so I tend to think in terms of melody and harmony.”
– Paul Simon, from Forbes
7 Paul Simon Quotes About Love
“Love is a mysterious and beautiful thing and it can’t be reduced to a formula.”
– Paul Simon, from Interview Magazine
“I think that love is a process of creating an emotional bond between two people.”
– Paul Simon, from Rolling Stone
“Love requires that you take risks.”
– Paul Simon, from Open Culture
“Love is a force of nature.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“Love is a kind of spiritual force.”
– Paul Simon, from The Telegraph
“Love is a feeling that is created between two people.”
– Paul Simon, from The New Yorker
“Love is a bridge between two people who are willing to take a risk.”
– Paul Simon, from Open Culture
7 Paul Simon Quotes About Life
“I think life is full of surprises and you just have to accept them and move on.”
– Paul Simon, from USA Today
“Life is full of surprises, but it’s how you deal with them that matters.”
– Paul Simon, from NPR
“The point is to make a life, not just a living.”
– Paul Simon, from The Independent
“Life is not a race, it’s a journey.”
– Paul Simon, from The Guardian
“But for me, the real pleasure of life is to go through life with a sense of humor and have a good time.”
– Paul Simon, from People
“Life is a mystery, and you really don’t know what happens after you go.”
– Paul Simon, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a strange thing that way. You can’t plan it.”
– Paul Simon, from CNN
7 Quotes About Paul Simon
“Singer-songwriter Paul Simon is one of the most influential music artists of the twentieth century.”
– Music Times, from Music Times
“He is one of the best-selling music artist of all time.”
– Biography, from Biography
“Simon has earned twelve Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.”
– Biography, from Biography
“Simon was an integral part of the folk-rock explosion of the 1960s.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“The music of Simon and Garfunkel is some of the most beloved American music of the 20th century.”
– Thought Co., from Thought Co.
“Simon can be credited with introducing world music to a popular audience.”
– Britannica, from Britannica
“Simon’s songwriting is highly regarded for its intelligence and craft.”
– Rolling Stone, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Paul Simon
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Simon
1. What is the most famous Paul Simon quote?
Paul Simon is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has been active in music since the 1950s. Throughout his long career, he has become known for his thought-provoking lyrics and his creative songwriting. Here are some of the most memorable Paul Simon quotes:
- “Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.”
- “A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.”
- “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls.”
- “You don’t know where you’re going, but you know you won’t be back.”
- “We are all pieces of the puzzle of life, but it is up to us to put the puzzle together.”
- “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls and whispered in the sounds of silence.”
- “The only difference between us and the animals is our ability to make mistakes.”
One of the most famous Paul Simon quotes is, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenement halls and whispered in the sounds of silence.” This quote is from the classic song “The Sound of Silence,” which was a top 10 hit in 1965. It speaks to the timelessness of words and the power of silence. The song was also the subject of a documentary in 2003.
2. What did Paul Simon say about music?
- “Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die.”
- “If I didn’t have music as an outlet, I would probably be in the loony bin.”
- “The only reality is music, and in music, there are no mistakes.”
- “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
- “It’s only music, and it makes you happy.”
- “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
3. What are some of Paul Simon’s lesser-known quotes?
Paul Simon is a legendary musician who has written some of the most iconic songs of all time. He is also a prolific lyricist and has some truly inspirational quotes. Here are some of Paul Simon’s lesser-known quotes:
- “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what we share with someone else when we’re uncool.”
- “In the future, everyone will be anonymous for 15 minutes.”
- “The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family.”
- “I’m a very old-fashioned kind of person. I want to make sure that the work I do is something I’ll be proud of later on.”
- “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
- “The art of life is to be happy with what you have and to be able to share it with others.”
- “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.”
4. What is the Meaning Behind Paul Simon’s Lyrics?
Paul Simon is known for his poetic and insightful lyrics, which often explore complex philosophical themes. Here are some of the meanings behind some of his most popular songs:
- “The Sound of Silence”: This classic folk-rock tune is an exploration of alienation and loneliness, as well as the power of music to connect people. The lyrics suggest that we can find solace in the sound of silence, which is a metaphor for finding peace and comfort in the absence of noise and distraction.
- “Mother and Child Reunion”: This song is a meditation on the importance of family and the resilience of the human spirit. The lyrics describe a mother reuniting with her child after a long absence, and the joy that comes with that reunion.
- “Kodachrome”: This song is a celebration of the beauty of the world around us and a reminder to appreciate the small moments in life. The lyrics suggest that taking a snapshot of a moment can be a way to capture the joy and beauty in life, even if it’s only brief.
- “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”: This playful tune is an exploration of the power of friendship and the importance of standing up for what is right. The lyrics suggest that through the bonds of friendship, we can take on any challenge and make a positive difference in the world.
5. What is Paul Simon’s Most Inspirational Quote?
Paul Simon is a highly regarded musician, songwriter and poet, known for his thoughtful and inspirational lyrics that often offer wisdom and guidance. Here are five of Paul Simon’s most inspirational quotes:
- “The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.”
- “You can never get enough of what you don’t need to make you happy.”
- “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”
- “The only people who never fail are those who never try.”
- “Love is the only engine of survival.”
Of these five inspirational quotes, Paul Simon’s most inspirational quote is “Love is the only engine of survival.” This quote emphasizes the importance of love in our lives, and how it can be a powerful force for good in the world. It is a reminder that love is something that should be nurtured and practiced, and that it is essential to our survival as individuals and as a society.
Conclusion
Paul Simon is an iconic musician whose career has spanned over five decades and has earned him countless accolades. His music has touched countless lives and continues to influence today’s generation of musicians. His lyrics are insightful and his melodies are timeless. He is truly a master of his craft and a modern day legend. Paul Simon is an artist whose influence and influence will continue to shape the music of generations to come.
