PAUL SIMON POLL RESULTS THREAD AND DISCUSSION

btw, if anyone cares, my ballot, with non-placing songs bolded:

1: You Can Call Me Al
2: Cecilia
3: Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes
4: The Only Living Boy in New York
5: The Coast
6: The Obvious Child
7: Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard
8: Rene & Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After The War
9: Still Crazy After All These Years
10: Late In The Evening
11: Slip Slidin' Away
12: The Boy In The Bubble
13: The Boxer
14: Think Too Much (b)
15: Bridge Over Troubled Water
16: Oh Marion
17: Was a Sunny Day
18: Papa Hobo
19: Graceland
20: America

I can but wonder what might have been with a 25-item ballot. This poll really makes you realize HOW many consensus classics this guy has that you have to struggle and strain to find room for a few offbeat oddities. I never really thought "Papa Hobo" or "Oh Marion" had a chance, but I am kinda surprised "The Coast" didn't place. Ahhh well.

I think my favorite surprise on this was how high "Rene & Georgette" placed. You know, I forgot to tell this story, but the other night I was at this weekly karaoke thing where it's just a dude with his keyboard, and a drum kit that the bar's regulars hop on to play on a volunteer basis, and he has a list of songs and a binder of lyrics. And I go pretty often so we're all just kinda kicking around songs to do or whatever and I, thinking of this thread, was like, "You know any Paul Simon?" And he starts playing "You Can Call Me Al," so I hop up to the mic and just start going, dude on drums locked into a really killer groove and we just did the song, no lyrics printed, piano guy was there for backing vocals on all the key lines ("bonedigger," etc) and the outro. And we get done and I'm like, man, if you know any more Paul Simon I will just do that, all the time. And he plunks his hands on the keys and goes "Reneeeee and Georgette Magritte..." and I just got ridiculously happy.

Unfortunately (sorry, this is a long and anticlimactic story), he said he didn't really know the rest of R&GM. But there's something really great in the idea that that would be someone's second Paul Simon song they had up their sleeve, just in case of another real fan besides them showing up at the bar.

Basically, the point is, Paul Simon songs = shared musical togetherness and good times.

I have no memory of "Duncan." And after one listen I can't figure why it placed that high.

So nice having you along. Do you have any favorites out of the songs that placed? What was/would have been your #1 (did you vote? i can't remember)

duncan is a song that took me about a year of loving that album to bother really listening to at all. a song that opens very slowly. so wonderful of you to offer us your opinion of it after one listen though. its good to have the full range of understanding and familiarity on this thread. have you any films you haven't seen you wish to comment on?

eh, there are plenty of songs i'm comfortable saying i dislike after just one listen. but morbs is still being a dork.

i mean i've formulated about as much opinions as i want to about the human centipede for example but the reason duncan placed high is precisely because people heard it a few times and got hooked on the flute part or the fingers line and understood that the whole thing converges on the filthiest pun. its a song that tickles you after its crept up on you just right.

the other night I was at this weekly karaoke thing where it's just a dude with his keyboard, and a drum kit that the bar's regulars hop on to play on a volunteer basis, and he has a list of songs and a binder of lyrics. And I go pretty often so we're all just kinda kicking around songs to do or whatever and I, thinking of this thread, was like, "You know any Paul Simon?" And he starts playing "You Can Call Me Al," so I hop up to the mic and just start going, dude on drums locked into a really killer groove and we just did the song, no lyrics printed, piano guy was there for backing vocals on all the key lines ("bonedigger," etc) and the outro. And we get done and I'm like, man, if you know any more Paul Simon I will just do that, all the time. And he plunks his hands on the keys and goes "Reneeeee and Georgette Magritte..." and I just got ridiculously happy

This is so great, I'd love to have a place like that. I used to get my ilm kicks from discussing the music itself, but I've been here long enough now to realise that these little portraits are the real gold.

i mean i've formulated about as much opinions as i want to about the human centipede for example but the reason duncan placed high is precisely because people heard it a few times and got hooked on the flute part or the fingers line and understood that the whole thing converges on the filthiest pun. its a song that tickles you after its crept up on you just right.

maybe, but to my mind the song, like most songs, lives or dies by its music, its "feel" and the more obvious aspects of its lyrics: the sorts of things that can be generally grasped on casual acquaintance. which isn't to say that it might not grow on one, that the patient don't reap richer rewards, but i'd never deny anyone their taste - or distaste...

could the winner in any other artist poll be a track made 30 years into their career?

Are there any other artists who'd get votes all across their 50+ year career?

My opinion on "Duncan" wasn't met as anything but a provisional view based on one listen. I'm just somewhat amazed that a fairly obscure track by an "old" I grew up with is so beloved by Millennials.

I think my fave Simon song is "Boy in the Bubble" or "American Tune."

met = meant

good songwriting knows no decade, imo

Enjoyed this, thanks.

1. “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)” (40)
2. “Mrs. Robinson” (36)
3. “At the Zoo” (33)
4. “April Come She Will” (30)
5. “Mother and Child Reunion” (28)
6. “The Only Living Boy in New York” (26)
7. “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” (25)
8. “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” (24)
9. “Cecilia” (23)
10. “America” (22)
11. “Blues Run the Game” (21)
12. “Fakin’ It” (20)

My "Blues Run the Game" vote was for the song more than the version--so good that it's able to withstand a real mismatch.

From jaymc's private-room karaoke outing:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/543724_10150598764961222_502961221_9497716_2972910_n.jpg

Haha awesome

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/528526_10150598892951222_502961221_9498278_750281925_n.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuOt03id6jM

So can we explain all the photos now?

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_40Fakin.jpg
#40 - FAKIN' IT

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_39TheLate.jpg
#39 - THE LATE GREAT JOHNNY ACE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_3859th.jpg
#38 - THE 59th STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN' GROOVY)

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_37AttheZoo.jpg
#37 - AT THE ZOO

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_36Keep.jpg
#36 - KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_35MyLittleTown.jpg
#35 - MY LITTLE TOWN

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_34Train2.jpg
#34 - TRAIN IN THE DISTANCE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_33StillCrazy.jpg
#33 - STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_32SoLong.gif
#32 - SO LONG, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_31Gumboots.jpg
#31 - GUMBOOTS

#30 - SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE

#29 - HOMEWARD BOUND

#28 - BORN AT THE RIGHT TIME

#27 - AMERICAN TUNE

#26 - A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER

#25 - THE COOL, COOL RIVER

#24 - PEACE LIKE A RIVER

#23 - I KNOW WHAT I KNOW

#22 - SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY

#21 - RENE & GEORGETTE MAGRITTE WITH THEIR DOG AFTER THE WAR

#20 - THE SOUND OF SILENCE

#19 - I AM A ROCK

#18 - YOU CAN CALL ME AL

#17 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

#16 - MRS. ROBINSON

#15 - LATE IN THE EVENING

#14 - HEARTS AND BONES

#13 - KODACHROME

#12 - 50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER

#11 - MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION

#10 - THE BOXER

#09 - THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE

#08 - DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES

#07 - CECILIA

#06 - THE OBVIOUS CHILD

#05 - AMERICA

#04 - DUNCAN

#03 - ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD

#02 - THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK

#01 - GRACELAND

I'll start:

#40 - FAKIN' IT -

#39 - THE LATE GREAT JOHNNY ACE -

#38 - THE 59th STREET BRIDGE SONG (FEELIN' GROOVY) - Officially known as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, f.k.a. the Queensboro Bridge, f.k.a. the 59th St. Bridge, currently not called the Ed Koch Bridge by anyone except Ed Koch.

#37 - AT THE ZOO -

#36 - KEEP THE CUSTOMER SATISFIED -

#35 - MY LITTLE TOWN -

#34 - TRAIN IN THE DISTANCE -

#33 - STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS -

#32 - SO LONG, FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT - The Heller House

#31 - GUMBOOTS -

#30 - SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE -

#29 - HOMEWARD BOUND -

#28 - BORN AT THE RIGHT TIME -

#27 - AMERICAN TUNE -

#26 - A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER -

#25 - THE COOL, COOL RIVER -

#24 - PEACE LIKE A RIVER -

#23 - I KNOW WHAT I KNOW -

#22 - SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY -

#21 - RENE & GEORGETTE MAGRITTE WITH THEIR DOG AFTER THE WAR -

#20 - THE SOUND OF SILENCE -

#19 - I AM A ROCK -

#18 - YOU CAN CALL ME AL -

#17 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER -

#16 - MRS. ROBINSON -

#15 - LATE IN THE EVENING -

#14 - HEARTS AND BONES -

#13 - KODACHROME -

#12 - 50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER -

#11 - MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION -

#10 - THE BOXER -

#09 - THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE -

#08 - DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES -

#07 - CECILIA -

#06 - THE OBVIOUS CHILD -

#05 - AMERICA -

#04 - DUNCAN -

#03 - ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD -

#02 - THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK -

#01 - GRACELAND -

Oh, not allowed to post more than 10 photos at a time, eh? Hold on a minute...

p sure theyre all just gis results

Search terms: "museum" "wizard" "short" "drug lord"

i don't think you need to do this, the pictures aren't hard to find

the picture of 'my little town' is of a little town. it is in black and white.

the picture of 'train in the distance' is a train in the distance. it is in black and white.

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_30Scarbrough.jpg
#30 - SCARBOROUGH FAIR/CANTICLE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_29Homeward.jpg
#29 - HOMEWARD BOUND

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_28BornAt.jpg
#28 - BORN AT THE RIGHT TIME

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_27AmericanTune.jpg
#27 - AMERICAN TUNE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_26AHazy.jpg
#26 - A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_25TheCool.jpg
#25 - THE COOL, COOL RIVER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_24PeaceLike.jpg
#24 - PEACE LIKE A RIVER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_23IKnow.jpg
#23 - I KNOW WHAT I KNOW

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_22Slip.jpg
#22 - SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_21ReneGeorgette.jpg
#21 - RENE & GEORGETTE MAGRITTE WITH THEIR DOG AFTER THE WAR

'still crazy after all these years' is a young gerald ford.

'graceland' is the entrance to area 51, famous "x-files" hot spot

'slip slidin' away' is the travolator, a notable slip 'n' slide

'peace like a river' is the opening scene of the big chill

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_20Sounds.jpg
#20 - THE SOUND OF SILENCE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_19IAmARock.jpg
#19 - I AM A ROCK

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_18YouCanCall.jpg
#18 - YOU CAN CALL ME AL

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_17BridgeOver.jpg
#17 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_16MrsRobinson.jpg
#16 - MRS. ROBINSON

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_15Latein.jpg
#15 - LATE IN THE EVENING

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_14Hearts.jpg
#14 - HEARTS AND BONES

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_13kodachrome.jpg
#13 - KODACHROME

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_1250Ways.jpg
#12 - 50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_11Mother.jpg
#11 - MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION

'i am a rock' is rock heberly, notable pianist

'kodachrome' is a big ol butt

think that's all of them

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_10TheBOxer.jpg
#10 - THE BOXER

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_09TheBoy.jpg
#09 - THE BOY IN THE BUBBLE

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_08Diamonds.jpg
#08 - DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_07Cecelia.jpg
#07 - CECILIA

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_06TheObvious.jpg
#06 - THE OBVIOUS CHILD

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_05America.png
#05 - AMERICA

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_04Duncan.jpg
#04 - DUNCAN

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_03MeJulio.jpg
#03 - ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_02Only2.jpg
#02 - THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK

http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee366/lamp11/th_01Graceland.jpg
#01 - GRACELAND

i don't think you need to do this, the pictures aren't hard to find

Yes I do. I'm insufferably anal.

think that's all of them

Thank you and good night.

'peace like a river' is the opening scene of the big chill

You can tell because Kevin Costner isn't in it.

This thread got me listening to a bunch of Psul Simon (& Garfunkel) much to the elation of my husband, who'd been working on me for the last 7 years. I'm in love! I also feel like a ~genius~ because he put on April Come She Will and told me how sad it was and at the end I said 'ahhh, hurry to us summer!' and looked at him and he had this 'omg of course' look on his face. To be fair he heard most of these songs as a child. Still. Thanks for this thread guys!

Please don't call me Al though. Lex only!!

how many of these were about Carrie Fisher btw?

I read a recent interview with CF; it said they "saw" each other off and on for years after their marriage.

really? wow...

Great poll, too bad I forgot to vote in this. I've been listening to Paul Simon nonstop for the past couple of days and it's amazing how great he still sounds at age 70.

lol@ Bridge placing #17. ILM contrarianism rides again.

I guess I was a contrarian as a 10 yo then, cuz it has always been my least favorite song on the album. Bombast at the end is just too much.

Bombast at the end? Come on -- maybe--maybe--the orchestra climb to the final chord is over the top. But Artie's vocal climax is powerful as hell.

I'd think it'd be every single artist covering it at some point in the 70s that'd turn you off of it forever.

I started watching the Harmony Game documentary about the making of Bridge Over Troubled Water

Guh. The problem is that now that Simon & Garfunkel are two of the most celebrated singers in the universe and they know it and they kind of like it...listening to them talk about the process is GROSS because they can't do it without subtly referring to how awesome they are and Garfunkel is so FULL of himself and oh it was so depressing.

It reminded me of trying to watch the Classic Albums episode of Fleetwood Mac's Rumors -- I like the album so much I forgot 'oh wait they're kind of assholes now this is going to suck'

so I gave up. :(

I guess I was a contrarian as a 10 yo then,
Just a 10 year-old contrarian,
Contrary as can be.
My mama'd take me too the park
And try to buy me ice cream
I said Mama, no, no ice cream for me.

Once I was down in Chinatown
I was eatin' some Lin's Chow Fun
I happened to turn around
And when I looked I seen my Chow Fun's gone

I'm really surprised by the high regard for "Graceland." Always thought it was one of the weaker moments on the album, myself. Regardless, let it be said that Paul Simon is probably the greatest American songwriter of the past 50 years.

I kind of agree -- and was really interested to see him say on that Classic Albums special that he believed it was the best thing he ever wrote. His discussion of the song is a great sequence on that.

I didn't know there were enough Paul Simon die-hards on here to conduct a Paul Simon poll.

got some news for ya