Paul Simon was a recent guest on Colbert and talked about his music. He is looking all of his 84 years, but reasonably healthy. He talked about an upcoming world tour, which gave me pause. Stamina aside, his voice seemed not at all strong, but quite often singers’ speaking voices sound hoarse or scratchy.
But then he sang “Something So Right”, with instrument backup. He notably did not play guitar. I was shocked at how much his voice has deteriorated. He sounded flat and unable hit some notes. He also remained seated for the effort. I had to turn it off.
I’ve loved Simon’s music since the 60s: his voice, his clever and thoughtful lyrics, and his exploration of different genres. But this was embarrassing and I felt bad for him. Worse, he plans to go on tour instead of just retiring from the stage. First off, I’m not sure that he’ll survive the strain of that effort, but secondly the reviews are likely to be very bad. I hope he has second thoughts about doing this.
Voices deteriorate with age, unfortunately. It happens to all of us, but it’s distressing when we notice it in musicians whose music we love. See also, Paul McCartney and Geddy Lee - neither of them can hit the notes they used to.
Boy, howdy. I’ve always had a strong voice and a good ear, able to span several ranges and even sing along with Freddy and Robert Plant. But lack of usage along with age (and deteriorating hearing) have really taken a toll.
As I think I remember it, along with advanced age, Simon now suffers from hearing anomalies that by all rights should end his performing life. Similar to what Huey Newton has, as well as not-famous myself. Instead he goes through elaborate work-arounds to keep performing.
A 1977 video of him doing this song is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjpRc1P5PIo&list=RDUjpRc1P5PIo&start_radio=1 and a 2026 video of him doing this song is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrV6sMUeiSg&list=RDWrV6sMUeiSg&start_radio=1 . Why are you bothered by the second one so much? Simon looks old and his voice isn’t great. He doesn’t play the guitar in that one, but the people playing the instruments are old too. Remember that the fame of the duet Simon and Garfunkel was always about Simon’s songwriting and Garfunkel’s singing. I see no evidence that Simon has mental problems. As long as Simon wants to keep singing in public, we should let him. We can change channels if we want.
You seem to be trying to pick a fight for some reason. The man can certainly do as he wishes. I just don’t want him to be seen in a poor light for no good reason. He is one of the all-time greats in the business, IMO.
I want to disagree with you. I don’t want to pick a fight. You said that “this was embarrassing and I felt bad for him”. I don’t find it embarrassing. You said that “the reviews are likely to be very bad”. I don’t think so.
I think people who go see Simon now would just be thrilled to hear him live. They wouldn’t care much if he hit every note or played every instrument. They understand people age.
That said, I saw Leonard Cohen when he was 79. He was never the best singer: But he sang his heart out for three hours.
And my traveling companions are ghosts and empty sockets
I’m looking at ghosts and empties
But I’ve reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland
There is a girl in New York City who calls herself the human trampoline
And sometimes when I’m falling, flying or tumbling in turmoil I say
“Whoa, so this is what she means”
She means we’re bouncing in the Graceland
And I see losing love is like a window in your heart
Well, everybody sees you’re blown apart
Everybody feels the wind blow
Ooh, ooh, ooh
In Graceland, in Graceland
I’m going to Graceland
For reasons, I cannot explain
There’s some part of me wants to see Graceland
And I may be obliged to defend every love, every ending
Or maybe there’s no obligations now
Maybe I’ve a reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland
I’m sure that’s so. It’s why I went to see Mark Knopfler a few years ago (he nailed it). Simon is only five years older than I am, so I certainly understand aging and how your once sharp faculties betray you. I wish him every success and would be very sad if it doesn’t go well. I’m sure he feels strongly about it and will give it his best shot, but I’m nervous for him.
I can’t speak to how he’s likely to perform on tour, but I didn’t think his Colbert performance was bad or embarrassing either. Maybe it’s just that I haven’t heard the original, but the song sounded fine to me.
Similarly, I had the privilege of seeing Ray Charles on his last tour. It was an amazing show, but age and his health problems played a role in his performance.
Same with Billy Joel. I’ve seen him twice (thought, admittedly, it’s been 20 years or so), and he wasn’t able to hit the high notes he used to, and he had his binder of lyrics so he didn’t forget what the next line was.
I don’t think people who go to hear an 84 year old sing are there for the wonderful acoustical experience. Honestly, you can get that at home, with a good recording and good headphones. I think they are going to hear the man live. To be in the same room with the man they are already invested in.
If he does a moderately credible job of singing, and smiles happily at the crowd, they will get what they are paying for.
I have both the musical recording and the video of Leonard Cohen’s famous “Live in London” performance. He was 74 at the time, and I thought he never sounded better, more invested in his music, and more charming in between sets. We’ll just have to disagree that he was “never the best singer”. I always loved his voice, deep and melancholy.
As for Paul Simon, I’m a great admirer of his work, but I think some of the negativity about this world tour isn’t any kind of slam against his accomplishments and his genius, but more a kind of wistful suggestion that sometimes it’s just time to let go. Time to accept that at 84 you’re not what you once were, and that you may not be able to offer your adoring audiences what they’re really expecting. Time, IOW, to exit on a high note rather than pushing the limits.
Simon sang with Sabrina Carpenter on SNL not long ago. I’ve heard him sing better. But I still very much enjoyed his efforts. Sabrina looked like she was over the moon.
Should Simon stop touring, embracing grace and change? Not my choice. If he came to Toronto and tickets were under $250 I’d happily pay it. Some people see retirement as a great vacation. People like Simon probably see it as abandoning the things they love doing most.
I like Cohen’s voice too. I think Cohen, Simon and Dylan are the three best lyricists. But Cohen does not have the voice of the Three Tenors or many other great chanteurs. I like him just as well without it. I’ve never enjoyed a concert more.