# What didn’t he like? (Paul Simon, Sound of Silence) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [March 30, 2024, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598 "2024-03-30T03:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/61 "2024-03-31T17:01:08Z")
Edit: I see this story was already posted. Apologies! I love Simon. I think he’s one of the greatest American songwriters ever. But your line about him not being a musical genius reminded me of the infamous story about him being accused by Los Lobos for literally stealing one of their songs for the Graceland album. The Los Lobos guy said the band spent a day or two with Simon, who kept calling the zydeco a zy-decko. > **[Los Lobos on Paul Simon: "Do you mean zydeco when you say zy decko?" - LA Weekly](https://www.laweekly.com/los-lobos-on-paul-simon-do-you-mean-zydeco-when-you-say-zy-decko/)** > > Los Lobos claim that Paul Simon is a hero to most but he never meant shit to me you see. By extension, does this mean they hate Vampire Weekend, too? ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/62 "2024-03-31T18:04:53Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Some song writers can write every note for every instrument on the song. Simon can not do that. That doesn’t take away from the genius of Paul Simon. None of the songs would exist without him. None of the songs would sound like they do without other people writing or arranging other parts. Simon definitely works better with others than alone. _Graceland_ is a masterpiece. But then listening to _Seven Psalms_, he has lyrics and ideas for melodies, but clearly not the ability to make a polished song. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/63 "2024-04-02T03:19:00Z")
There’s a similar flaw in the first note of “For unto us a Child is born” in Handel’s _Messiah_: the “For” is emphasized and lengthened. Here, that’s because he re-used his music from the duet “Nò, di voi non vo’ fidarmi”, where it’s reasonable to emphasize the “No”. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/64 "2024-04-02T04:57:09Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > There’s a similar flaw I don’t see a _flaw_ in any of those songs or the emphasis in them. The songs are masterpieces. Art Garfunkel doesn’t have a “nice” voice. He has one of the most beautiful lyrical voices of his time. Yes, Simon wrote the lyrics, but Garfunkel made the songs soar. Bridge Over Troubled Water still gives me goose pimples and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It is one of my favorite songs ever, and Art Garfunkel’s vocal performance is at least 50 percent of why I love it so much. Simon after S and G did some interesting and quirky songs that I liked, but I didn’t LOVE them and stop what I’m doing to listen. I don’t pretend to know these guys, but it sounds like Simon should get the stick out of his ass and quit being such a primadonna. And calling Garfunkel a hack? Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/65 "2024-04-02T05:22:35Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > It is arguable whether the less than charismatic Paul Simon could have had the successful solo career he did without those collaborations as stepping stones. Asked… > [@Bullitt](#): > > Paul Simon is a musical genius. Answered. I’m not even a fan, but it’s clear to me he has earned his spot at the top of the heap. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/66 "2024-04-02T13:12:15Z")
i’ve always heard it as “8th street lamp”. when i saw the lyrics i wondered why he didn’t move it over to “street”. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/67 "2024-04-02T13:28:36Z")
I think Paul’s wounded pride was a big factor. _His album version_ wasn’t successful. The producer saw potential and remixed the track. Number 1 single. No doubt that Paul was thrilled to cash the checks. But artistically he apparently still resents having his music altered. They were a folk group and adding electric instruments & drums shifted them into pop. Also, Simon and Garfunkel had broken up after that album didn’t do well. Paul was already thinking about a solo career. The hit song reunited them and they continued recording albums until their arguments split the group. Wikipedia > [@](#): > > In 1965, the song began to attract airplay at radio stations in [Boston](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston) and throughout [Florida](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida). The growing airplay led [Tom Wilson](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Wilson_(record_producer)), the song’s producer, to [remix](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remix) the track, [overdubbing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdubbing) electric instruments and drums. This remixed version was released as a single in September 1965. Simon & Garfunkel were not informed of the song’s remix until after its release. The remix hit No. 1 on the [_Billboard_ Hot 100](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_Hot_100) for the week ending January 1, 1966, leading the duo to reunite and hastily record their second album, which Columbia titled _[Sounds of Silence](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sounds_of_Silence)_ in an attempt to capitalize on the song’s success. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/68 "2024-04-02T17:07:10Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > > It is arguable whether the less than charismatic Paul Simon could have had the successful solo career he did without those collaborations as stepping stones. > > Asked… > > > [@Bullitt](#): > > > > Paul Simon is a musical genius. > > Answered. I strongly suspect that there are a number of musical geniuses who never became famous. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/69 "2024-04-02T17:11:29Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I strongly suspect that there are a number of musical geniuses who never became famous. Yeah, but I’ve made peace with it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/70 "2024-04-02T17:59:24Z")
But have they? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/71 "2024-04-02T19:43:17Z")
Don’t change the subject, we’re talking about me right now. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/72 "2024-04-03T01:16:49Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I strongly suspect that there are a number of musical geniuses who never became famous. yep, alone in jazz about a couple of hundred … ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2024, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/73 "2024-04-03T01:56:59Z")
@Stratocaster wins the thread! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/74 "2024-04-07T23:11:59Z")
Maybe you should try a Les Paul? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2024, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/75 "2024-04-08T09:39:41Z")
I have one, it didn’t help. I suspect I’m one of those musical geniuses who won’t be appreciated in his own time, but will be revered after he’s gone. Just like, uh, you know, that other guy… ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/76 "2024-04-09T19:12:56Z")
Milli or Vanilli? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/77 "2024-04-09T20:13:40Z")
The Big Bopper? ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/78 "2024-04-09T20:25:26Z")
See? This is what I’m talking about. You people are making a mockery of my genius and ought to be ashamed. Shame! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/79 "2024-04-10T00:09:22Z")
Hey! We’re just giving you inspiration for your next “it will be a hit eventually, you’ll see!” song. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598/80 "2024-04-10T00:27:55Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Simon’s list: > > Graceland > Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard > Late in the Evening > Mother and Child Reunion > Sound of Silence > The Boxer > Still Crazy After All These Years I can agree that these are my favorites, as well, especially Late In The Evening, which is a masterpiece of percussion thanks to Steve Gadd. I’d add American Tune to it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-didn-t-he-like-paul-simon-sound-of-silence/999598.md?page=5)