Paul Simon has crafted some of the most meaningful and genre-defying songs in modern music. From his folk roots with Art Garfunkel to his experimental solo work, Simon’s career has spanned six decades. He’s blended rock, pop, gospel, jazz, reggae, and world music—especially African and South American sounds—to create something uniquely his own.
Simon isn’t just a singer-songwriter. He’s a cultural storyteller, a restless innovator, and one of the most awarded and respected figures in American music.
| Artist | Paul Simon |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Paul Frederic Simon |
| Born | October 13, 1941 |
| Origin | Newark, New Jersey / Queens, New York |
| Genres | Folk, Pop, Rock, Worldbeat |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years Active | 1957–present |
| Notable Albums | Bridge Over Troubled Water (with Garfunkel), Graceland (1986), Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), So Beautiful or So What (2011) |
| Signature Songs | The Sound of Silence, Bridge Over Troubled Water, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, You Can Call Me Al |
| Awards | Multiple Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice), Gershwin Prize, Kennedy Center Honors |
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Paul Frederic Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey. His family moved to Queens, New York, where Simon spent his childhood and teenage years.
It was during grade school that he met Art Garfunkel. The two bonded over a shared love for harmony and pop music, especially the Everly Brothers. By their teens, they were writing songs together.
The Tom & Jerry Days
In 1957, the duo released music under the name Tom & Jerry, with Simon going by the stage name Jerry Landis and Garfunkel as Tom Graph. Their debut single, “Hey Schoolgirl,” was a modest success, reaching #54 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Though they briefly split to pursue college and solo interests, Simon never left the music industry. He continued writing songs, producing demos, and performing solo under various pseudonyms.
Reuniting in the Folk Revival
In the early 1960s, folk music was on the rise. Inspired by this revival, Simon and Garfunkel reunited—this time under their real names. They began playing gigs around Greenwich Village in New York and soon signed with Columbia Records.
Their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964), initially flopped. Simon traveled to England, where he released his first solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook, in 1965.
However, Columbia producer Tom Wilson saw potential in one of their early tracks, “The Sound of Silence.” He remixed it with electric guitar and drums, without telling the duo.
Simon & Garfunkel’s Rise
The reworked “The Sound of Silence” became a #1 hit in 1966. It launched Simon and Garfunkel into stardom.
They followed up with several albums and a string of hits:
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“I Am a Rock”
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“Homeward Bound”
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“Scarborough Fair/Canticle”
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“Mrs. Robinson” (featured in The Graduate)
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“Cecilia”
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“The Boxer”
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“Bridge Over Troubled Water”
Their final album, Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970), became their most successful—topping the charts and winning multiple Grammy Awards. But tensions grew between the pair, leading to a split that same year.
Solo Breakthrough: The 1970s
Simon released his self-titled debut solo album in 1972, featuring:
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“Mother and Child Reunion” (#4)
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“Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (#22)
In 1973, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon saw him explore gospel and jazz. The album included:
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“Kodachrome” (#2)
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“Loves Me Like a Rock” (#2)
His next release, Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), reflected his recent divorce and had a darker tone. It became his first #1 album and featured:
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“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (#1)
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“My Little Town” (a brief reunion with Garfunkel)
Simon won multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year.
Slump and Return
In 1980, Simon starred in and scored the film One-Trick Pony. Despite the modest hit “Late in the Evening,” the project flopped.
He returned in 1981 with The Concert in Central Park, reuniting with Garfunkel before 500,000 fans. The live album was a success, but another studio reunion fell apart.
His 1983 solo album, Hearts and Bones, also underperformed. Simon later admitted he had run out of creative inspiration.
Reinvention: Graceland
Everything changed in 1986 with Graceland.
Inspired by South African township music—particularly a cassette by the Boyoyo Boys—Simon began working with African musicians, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ray Phiri.
Graceland mixed pop, isicathamiya, mbaqanga, and zydeco. Though recorded during the apartheid era (sparking some backlash), the album was widely celebrated.
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Peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200
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Sold over 5 million copies in the U.S.
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Won Album of the Year at the Grammys (1987)
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Earned Record of the Year in 1988 for the title track
It’s now considered one of the most influential albums of the 20th century.
The Rhythm Continues
In 1990, Simon released The Rhythm of the Saints, inspired by Brazilian and West African rhythms. Though not as big as Graceland, it earned critical acclaim and double platinum status.
A massive Central Park concert followed, drawing over 750,000 people.
Missteps and New Phases
Simon took a creative risk in 1998 with the Broadway musical The Capeman, based on a real-life 1959 murder case. Despite high hopes, the show bombed and closed after just 68 performances.
He rebounded with:
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You’re the One (2000): A Grammy-nominated return to worldbeat
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Surprise (2006): Produced with Brian Eno, blending ambient textures and folk
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So Beautiful or So What (2011): Acclaimed for its lyrical depth and mature sound
Legacy and Later Life
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In the 2000s, Simon reunited with Garfunkel for another tour and live album (Old Friends: Live on Stage). He also performed on special occasions, including the Kennedy Center Honors and benefit concerts.
Simon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice—solo and with Garfunkel), and received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
In 2018, he embarked on his farewell tour, though he continues to write and occasionally perform.
Why Paul Simon Still Matters
Paul Simon’s music bridges generations and cultures. From poetic folk to Afro-pop, he’s never stayed in one lane. His songs explore love, politics, faith, aging, and identity—with unmatched honesty and musical elegance.
Whether it’s the haunting beauty of “The Sound of Silence” or the infectious groove of “You Can Call Me Al,” Paul Simon has given the world songs that speak to the heart and soul.