Lyrics 1964-2008

Here's a vote for Paul Simon being appointed Poet Laureate. It would be perfect: Under Barack Obama's tenure as president the Library of Congress chooses someone equally unusual and gifted to be the eloquent voice of this nation.Lyrics 1964-2008 is just that: The lyrics to Simon's songs. The number of words here is staggering. You forget just how prolific he has been. More impressive is how many of these songs hit close to home. How many you know by heart.There are a few bonuses. The album covers are reproduced (in black and white). A sprinkling of photographs include some with Art Garfunkel and some recent performance shots. Best of all, there are copies of the original hand-written lyrics to some of Simon's best songs: "Mother and Child Reunion," "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard," "Kodachrome," "American Tune," "Loves Me Like a Rock," "Still Crazy After All These Years," "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," "Slip Sliding Away," "Boy in the Bubble," "Graceland," "You Can Call Me Al," "Look at That." You can see Simon having trouble with the end of "American Tune" (he has erased some words, and finally puts a question mark next to the lyric). In the notes for "Graceland," you can see the mournful lines, unused: "For no logical reason, no explanation, something deep inside of me is going to Graceland."There is something redemptive about Simon's work. This book says it all.Here's the chapter list:Foreword by Chuck CloseIntroduction by David Remnick1964-1971Covers these albums:Wednesday Morning, 3 AMSounds of SilenceParsley, Sage, Rosemary and ThymeBookendsBridge Over Troubled Water1972-1977Covers these albums:Paul SimonThere Goes Rhymin' SimonStill Crazy After All These Years1978-1983Covers these albums:One-Trick PonyHearts and Bones1984-1990Covers these albums:GracelandThe Rhythm of the Saints1991-1998Covers this album:Songs from The Capeman1999-2008Covers these albums:You're the OneSurprise

I feel like I have waited all my life for this book to be published. Ever since i first listened to Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960's. Over the last few years I have bought books of all the lyrics, poems and writings of Bob Dylan and of Leonard Cohen, my other heroes. Now, finally, Paul Simon's song lyrics have been released in a beautifully presented hardcover book of 412 pages.The book starts with a Foreword by Chuck Close who, for the forty-plus years of his professional life as an artist, claims that every painting he has created has been painted with Paul's music playing in the background.This is followed by an excellent and detailed Introduction by David Remnick, journalist, writer, and magazine editor.The easy-to-read layout of all of Paul Simon's songs and poems from 1964 to 2016, is laid out in eight chapters. Throughout the book the reader will find full-page black and white photos of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel and photos of original hand-written lyrics and album covers.Paul Simon Lyrics 1964-2016 is a treasure for lovers of the music of one of the 20th centuries most highly-esteemed song writers.

Beautiful book; a lovely process. A must if you like Paul Simon even just a little bit.

I was looking to be able to sing these gorgeous songs. Alas, the words are resented as poetry, which they are obviously.

Paul Simon is one of the giants of music through 5 decades from the 60's to present in the company of Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Bono and other greats. His Music is usually more lighthearted but his lyrics carry layers of meaning requiring careful listening and contemplation to grasp their full depth of meaning. The lyrics and Music blend so perfectly that onecan enjoy the performance without effort but this book which I've read, while listening to the performance on the recordings I have, gives me the opportunity to explore his meaning,the passion and the insightful expression of current cultural conditions as well as his own internal feelings and interpretations of world conditions. Anyone who enjoys deeper immersion into culture, events and the changing times as expressed by a deeply understanding and caring artist will enjoy this book.

Nice book and nice to have the words. We grew up with this group and this man!

These are Paul Simon lyrics. What can I say? The guy is a genius! I've loved his music for decades and had the chance to hear him a few weeks ago. At 77 he is sing and playing masterfully. It made me want to take the time and study what he's written. He is truly an American Treasure!

He will be absolutly floored when I give it to him. We spoke of this book earlier, I was thinking of buying 2, but thought the kindle vesion, would be better for me, Paul Simon is one of the unsong masters of words, He and Garfunkal would have been as popoular as Beatles or Evis, if they wanted to have a gimmick or do more self pubilcity stunts, I am glad they din not ot makes me repect them sll the more.