I watch all 7 interviews often and glean more and different information each time. Paul, you’re brilliant, humble and your words convey profound wisdom and insight. I listen to all your interviews for inspiration and enhanced creativity. Thank you for opening up with deep honesty and caring.
Watched the whole lot..astonishing..technically interesting but just listening to the man talk with such a conviction and grasp of his art is amazing. Like Brian Wilson the word genius is also totally appropriate for Paul Simon
Truly great people are often shy & reticent. I like the way he denies it's him - he's only a channel for the music & the profound, beautifully-crafted lyrics. Thank you Paul Simon.
I have to agree with him whole heart-idly about the "gift". When your writing/composing and something just hits you or arrives out of the blue its an amazing feeling. Its kind of spooky sometimes but you should always acknowledge it. I was once jamming with my songwriting buddy and got into this great rhythmic piece and after we finished he asked me how I'd come up with it and i told him I had no idea it just happened! Its amazing when it does and it truly is a gift from who or where ever!
Holy Cow! I love this! It's so good to be able to learn from such a MAESTRO on youtube! (I mean really, isn't it amazing??) I love the Interviewer's method too. She's excellent! As a (try-hard) songwriter, I'm INSPIRED! Thanks Paul.
I thought it was interesting that of all the songs he could've sung at the end, he chose one he wrote specifically about Art leaving to make a movie. The lyrics and melody are emotional and his delivery seemed the same to me.
I never knew that song was about Art leaving to do a movie... Aaaa, I miss Art singing it with him. Still miss them singing together. Paul's songwriting and poetical lyrics and his gituar playing, are legendary and so was Art's angelic voice.
I owe an apology to Paul Simon. I have ALWAYS been a fan of ALL of his music, but somehow I had the impression that he was arrogant. After watching and listening through these seven segments, I am in total awe of his willingness and patience in attempting to explain his amazing talent and process of writing as well as singing and playing guitar in the most humble fashion. Did anyone else notice that he never would come out and say that HE has a gift of any kind? Thank you, Paul. Blessings
That little Jewish boy from Queens, temperamental. Interviewer did a good job of drawing Paul out. I enjoyed Paul’s explanation of his writing. His father, being a musician, helped a lot in his development. I would like more artists to describe their process. Paul’s comment about: words, rhythm, and melody were thoughtful. Also, Paul’s viewpoint of how much is inside an artist. Some have only a few songs to give us, others can write many songs over a number of years. I have read an artist’s best works are in their twenties and thirties. This is in music, painting, authorship. Thanks for this informative video.
I dont think age matters, its the writer that matters and how and what they and you the listener feel. Im writing better stuff than ever before and Im 54! Some of the bubble gum pop written by youngsters today is truly dreadful so that shoots the age theory right down. Its subjective.
You are not the only one, who has had to unreservedly admit to that. Because Paul appeared the most energetic and outgoing on stage, I loved him as much as I do Art; but have always thought that maybe, he was a tad hard and domineering. We all have our faults and whatever it was that caused distance between them, I really hope they can find in their hearts to let go and rekindle their lost friendship. They were awesome together. Paul's amazing writing talents, his fantastic gituar playing, his poetical lyrics and Art's angelic voice, are a force to be reckoned with. Love them both. Life is short and they are both heading towards 80 now.
Wowzers...watched all 7 parts, this was an awesome lesson in music!! I think some people forget how my incredible songs this guy has written. Really...my life and my music (for what it's worth) is shaped greatly in part by a man I've never met named Paul...:)
The very first album I bought at 16 and this song and all the rest of them took me hostage and forced me to buy a guitar and made me practice and practice hour after hour listening repeatedly to the the notes while my finger tips ached until eventually I worked out the picking and chords.Thank you Paul Simon for your precious gift you have given not just to me but to the world.💚God bless you.
i got into this thing today of watching Paul Simon interviews because he comes off as being so unpretentious, creatively honest from a kind of a humble conjecture. the way he rambled on in this video about how he tends to compose music from the point of view of how music flows or can work... demonstrated to me that he works from a sense of discovery. and to me... one of the hallmarks of love is that it leads to discovery in life.
Fantastic... I wish there was a lot more parts. I could listen all day. Its 31st Dec 2011 and a great way to wrap up the year. Going to watch it again on new years day!
I really learned a lot from watching this, and I thank my bro Rolly Brown for the link. Paul Simon is not only an amazing contemporary poet, but he can use language to express how he thinks musically. His comments about how particular chords or rhythms effect people bring to mind Marshall McLuhan and the effects of media. Thank you to the recorder and uploader, the interviewer, B & N, and, not least, Paul Simon.
I reckon that really creative people really suffer,and its out of this suffering that somehow the creative acts,whatever,materialise.It's nice to see Paul Simon relaxed and enjoying himself.I reckon he really suffered for his art because he was so dedicated to it-maybe/probably because he is a genius.
One of my favorite songs . Just done with a guitar and a voice but done perfectly and beautifully. Referring to Art who was Tom to Paul's Jerry in their original act.
Sometimes lyric and music start at the same time in your head and then you sit down at the key board and find the chords . It all depends on the person writing.
This might not be a popular thing to say but Paul Simon, as a songwriter, is more creative and gifted than either Lennon or McCartney. There is no comparison when it comes to lyrics. Whereas Paul Simon wrote thought provoking, deep, and sometimes allegorical stories Lennon and McCartney wrote mostly simplistic and often trite lyrics that were often no more than a fulcrum for their melodies. Where they excelled was their knack for catchy hooks. That is indisputable. There are only a handful of songwriters who can live up to genius status and Paul Simon is one.
Paul Simon is definitely a genius, but I doubt he'd approve of your view of creativity as a competitive horse race. Lennon and McCartney were less cerebral and less wordy, but many influential works of genius were produced through intuition and natural talent. You just heard Simon say that his greatest creative leaps were simply "gifts" from some unknown place; for all his eloquence he couldn't explain how he got them. Lennon and McCartney were similarly recipients of astonishing gifts and it's a mistake to label them as "simplistic" because their words didn't contain as many syllables as Simon's.
What is that angel light distortion that comes around him? She was so sweet to reel him back him in with an old fashioned one two. Thank you Paul Simon
Tritones, It seems were first to have been designated as a "dangerous" interval when Guido of Arezzo developed his system of hexachords and with the introduction of B flat as a diatonic note, at much the same time acquiring its nickname of "Diabolus in Musica" ("the devil in music").
@tommyspigeonhole One Trick Pony: @tommyspigeonhole Yep, the verse is ten 1/8th notes to the measure. Try counting it as ONE-&-a - TWO-& - THREE & -a - FOUR & . i.e 10 x 1/8th notes in groups of 3 + 2 +3 + 2. There are three extra 1/8 notes at the end of the last measure of the verse. The middle eight (or middle nine, as in fact it is here) is straightforward 6/8 time.
I love Paul Simon, and play loads of his songs live, I just wish someone with a bit of knowledge had conducted the interview, I want to know more about his songs, not how 5th and 6ths work!!! he has much more to say, but someone needed to ask the questions.
❤ What A Privilege of The 1ST Class" 2 Sit down with a Musician @ Understand !Where he's coming from...! W'hen I was a child I thought like a child & Music made me sing and dance: iHerd The Music iBought The Music my soul was Formed by Music🌬🎶 Music has always ruled the Cor of my being🔥💘🔥( in A❤ CErtain way my HusBand of Beloved Memory...1118'2017 Passed Away on Paul Simons💜 🎵"Bridge Over Troubled🌹WaTer"🎵iKeep singing : 🎶 "Tom Get Your Plane Ride on Time...🎶 All Good Music.. 🎶Ties💫US All 💫2gether..💫🎶"Yesterday"&HopeFully🎶"48 hours L.A.TER The Changing of the Guards,🎶☘KnocKing..🚪.. 🎶💞Enterence: 🎶🎶 @Stairway 2 Heaven🎶May🐝Eden is🔥🎶⚡💥🎶💞💞 ❣😎☀️
He seems like a melancholic puppy. Me wonders if he thinks too much? He does seem to rely on the immediacy of words rising up just at the moment he wants, to align with his musical creativity. Man, he is putting a great responsibility and burden on language itself.
"How the heart approaches what it yearns" on "One trick Pony"... is a soaring graceful song by him, in the CRAZIEST timing.. My ears are in blissful comfort, but the second I try to sing along,I'm all OVER the shop.. I think its in some kind of "Ten" beat time signature.. check it out someone.. and explain it to me.. please!
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Simply wonderful.So open,funny and informative.Soundtrack to my life,bless you Paul ❤
What a lovely way to end this wonderful interview,, performing The Only Living Boy in New York. Thanks Paul!!!
Paul Simon is a world treasure.
Paul WE LOVE YOU thank you for amazing artistry ❤
I watch all 7 interviews often and glean more and different information each time. Paul, you’re brilliant, humble and your words convey profound wisdom and insight. I listen to all your interviews for inspiration and enhanced creativity. Thank you for opening up with deep honesty and caring.
watched the whole thing.....best songwriting lesson ever!!
*Thank you Paul Simon for all the wonderful years and the wonderful music !!!*
Yeah,well,Paul Simon let his honesty shine,shine,shine.What an amazing man and artist?Thank you,Paul.
Thanks a lot for Paul for your honesty, humor and depth of thought.
Watched the whole lot..astonishing..technically interesting but just listening to the man talk with such a conviction and grasp of his art is amazing.
Like Brian Wilson the word genius is also totally appropriate for Paul Simon
Truly great people are often shy & reticent. I like the way he denies it's him - he's only a channel for the music & the profound, beautifully-crafted lyrics. Thank you Paul Simon.
I have to agree with him whole heart-idly about the "gift". When your writing/composing and something just hits you or arrives out of the blue its an amazing feeling. Its kind of spooky sometimes but you should always acknowledge it.
I was once jamming with my songwriting buddy and got into this great rhythmic piece and after we finished he asked me how I'd come up with it and i told him I had no idea it just happened! Its amazing when it does and it truly is a gift from who or where ever!
Holy Cow! I love this! It's so good to be able to learn from such a MAESTRO on youtube!
(I mean really, isn't it amazing??)
I love the Interviewer's method too. She's excellent!
As a (try-hard) songwriter, I'm INSPIRED!
Thanks Paul.
Best Paul Simon interviews ever!
I thought it was interesting that of all the songs he could've sung at the end, he chose one he wrote specifically about Art leaving to make a movie. The lyrics and melody are emotional and his delivery seemed the same to me.
I never knew that song was about Art leaving to do a movie... Aaaa, I miss Art singing it with him. Still miss them singing together. Paul's songwriting and poetical lyrics and his gituar playing, are legendary and so was Art's angelic voice.
I owe an apology to Paul Simon. I have ALWAYS been a fan of ALL of his music, but somehow I had the impression that he was arrogant. After watching and listening through these seven segments, I am in total awe of his willingness and patience in attempting to explain his amazing talent and process of writing as well as singing and playing guitar in the most humble fashion. Did anyone else notice that he never would come out and say that HE has a gift of any kind? Thank you, Paul. Blessings
Ditto That,..!!!!! Thank you so much for the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedule and sharing this wonderful talent AND gift with us ALL !!!!!
That little Jewish boy from Queens, temperamental. Interviewer did a good job of drawing Paul out. I enjoyed Paul’s explanation of his writing. His father, being a musician, helped a lot in his development. I would like more artists to describe their process. Paul’s comment about: words, rhythm, and melody were thoughtful. Also, Paul’s viewpoint of how much is inside an artist. Some have only a few songs to give us, others can write many songs over a number of years. I have read an artist’s best works are in their twenties and thirties. This is in music, painting, authorship. Thanks for this informative video.
I dont think age matters, its the writer that matters and how and what they and you the listener feel. Im writing better stuff than ever before and Im 54! Some of the bubble gum pop written by youngsters today is truly dreadful so that shoots the age theory right down. Its subjective.
How much did he get for this slow show?
You are not the only one, who has had to unreservedly admit to that. Because Paul appeared the most energetic and outgoing on stage, I loved him as much as I do Art; but have always thought that maybe, he was a tad hard and domineering. We all have our faults and whatever it was that caused distance between them, I really hope they can find in their hearts to let go and rekindle their lost friendship. They were awesome together. Paul's amazing writing talents, his fantastic gituar playing, his poetical lyrics and Art's angelic voice, are a force to be reckoned with. Love them both. Life is short and they are both heading towards 80 now.
Wowzers...watched all 7 parts, this was an awesome lesson in music!!
I think some people forget how my incredible songs this guy has written.
Really...my life and my music (for what it's worth) is shaped greatly in part by
a man I've never met named Paul...:)
The very first album I bought at 16 and this song and all the rest of them took me hostage and forced me to buy a guitar and made me practice and practice hour after hour listening repeatedly to the the notes while my finger tips ached until eventually I worked out the picking and chords.Thank you Paul Simon for your precious gift you have given not just to me but to the world.💚God bless you.
i got into this thing today of watching Paul Simon interviews because he comes off as being so unpretentious, creatively honest from a kind of a humble conjecture. the way he rambled on in this video about how he tends to compose music from the point of view of how music flows or can work... demonstrated to me that he works from a sense of discovery. and to me... one of the hallmarks of love is that it leads to discovery in life.
Paul Simon should be officially coined America's Greatest Songwriter, added to Mount Rushmore, and put on the $20 bill.
Amazing video. A voyage into one of America's great songwriters creative process.
Great interview by Katherine Lanpher! It's an incredible challenge for interviewers to stay as much out of the way as she did.
Fantastic... I wish there was a lot more parts. I could listen all day. Its 31st Dec 2011 and a great way to wrap up the year. Going to watch it again on new years day!
I really feel like he believes he's a worker who uncovers the beauty that comes through him. He's the vessel.
I really really like this video. It's priceless to me, learning from one of the best.
thanks for posting it.
You are my 🌟 It’s amazing how much input you place in your songs and the story behind them.
I really learned a lot from watching this, and I thank my bro Rolly Brown for the link. Paul Simon is not only an amazing contemporary poet, but he can use language to express how he thinks musically. His comments about how particular chords or rhythms effect people bring to mind Marshall McLuhan and the effects of media. Thank you to the recorder and uploader, the interviewer, B & N, and, not least, Paul Simon.
I hope Paul lives to be 110!
Yes. ❤
I reckon that really creative people really suffer,and its out of this suffering that somehow the creative acts,whatever,materialise.It's nice to see Paul Simon relaxed and enjoying himself.I reckon he really suffered for his art because he was so dedicated to it-maybe/probably because he is a genius.
Thank you for posting this whole interview. Very entertaining to enjoy
Just got a feeling that this guy's going places.
One of my favorite songs . Just done with a guitar and a voice but done perfectly and beautifully. Referring to Art who was Tom to Paul's Jerry in their original act.
I learned a lot!
I loved hearing about his song writing process. I can relate to it as an artist tho not a musician. He's fantastic!
so good . so smart. an artist.
@djs61909 I totally agree- this is the best songwriting lesson I have ever had!
This is the same thing my music teacher taught me, music first, lyrics second. I'll never forget that.
Sometimes lyric and music start at the same time in your head and then you sit down at the key board and find the chords . It all depends on the person writing.
Brilliant interviewer. She let him just go.
only the 60 second soundbiters turned off the rest of us who wanted to learn something and watch and listen to a master at work,watched on.great
amazing
This might not be a popular thing to say but Paul Simon, as a songwriter, is more creative and gifted than either Lennon or McCartney. There is no comparison when it comes to lyrics. Whereas Paul Simon wrote thought provoking, deep, and sometimes allegorical stories Lennon and McCartney wrote mostly simplistic and often trite lyrics that were often no more than a fulcrum for their melodies. Where they excelled was their knack for catchy hooks. That is indisputable. There are only a handful of songwriters who can live up to genius status and Paul Simon is one.
Paul Simon is definitely a genius, but I doubt he'd approve of your view of creativity as a competitive horse race. Lennon and McCartney were less cerebral and less wordy, but many influential works of genius were produced through intuition and natural talent. You just heard Simon say that his greatest creative leaps were simply "gifts" from some unknown place; for all his eloquence he couldn't explain how he got them. Lennon and McCartney were similarly recipients of astonishing gifts and it's a mistake to label them as "simplistic" because their words didn't contain as many syllables as Simon's.
True, even though I'm a Brit, and love both John&Paul, I have to agree with you.
I wish the interviewer had asked him for examples of the bass, falsetto, tenor pattern.
What is that angel light distortion that comes around him? She was so sweet to reel him back him in with an old fashioned one two. Thank you Paul Simon
"GOOD" hahahaha , what, a , legend.
Top drawer 👍
Well, that's me inspired for the day. Now where's my guitar?!
I grew up on much the same music, so I really get what he says.
dont let paul simon fool you into thinking he is limited to what songs he plays he is one talented man....
Tritones, It seems were first to have been designated as a "dangerous" interval when Guido of Arezzo developed his system of hexachords and with the introduction of B flat as a diatonic note, at much the same time acquiring its nickname of "Diabolus in Musica" ("the devil in music").
yep. also important for diminished chords
@tommyspigeonhole
One Trick Pony:
@tommyspigeonhole
Yep, the verse is ten 1/8th notes to the measure.
Try counting it as ONE-&-a - TWO-& - THREE & -a - FOUR & .
i.e 10 x 1/8th notes in groups of 3 + 2 +3 + 2.
There are three extra 1/8 notes at the end of the last measure of the verse.
The middle eight (or middle nine, as in fact it is here) is straightforward 6/8 time.
to know more about 6th's... try listening to' sunrise' by the divine comedy. it's a irish songwriter called neil hannon... bloody genius too
@gemini4807 Thanks to you, dear, for this comment.:)
I love Paul Simon, and play loads of his songs live, I just wish someone with a bit of knowledge had conducted the interview, I want to know more about his songs, not how 5th and 6ths work!!! he has much more to say, but someone needed to ask the questions.
❤ What A Privilege of The 1ST Class" 2 Sit down with a Musician @ Understand !Where he's coming from...! W'hen I was a child I thought like a child & Music made me sing and dance: iHerd The Music iBought The Music my soul was Formed by Music🌬🎶 Music has always ruled the Cor of my being🔥💘🔥( in A❤ CErtain way my HusBand of Beloved Memory...1118'2017 Passed Away on Paul Simons💜 🎵"Bridge Over Troubled🌹WaTer"🎵iKeep singing : 🎶 "Tom Get Your Plane Ride on Time...🎶 All Good Music.. 🎶Ties💫US All 💫2gether..💫🎶"Yesterday"&HopeFully🎶"48 hours L.A.TER The Changing of the Guards,🎶☘KnocKing..🚪.. 🎶💞Enterence: 🎶🎶 @Stairway 2 Heaven🎶May🐝Eden is🔥🎶⚡💥🎶💞💞 ❣😎☀️
Who cares? He did 95% of the talking anyway, which is as it should be.
He seems like a melancholic puppy. Me wonders if he thinks too much? He does seem to rely on the immediacy of words rising up just at the moment he wants, to align with his musical creativity. Man, he is putting a great responsibility and burden on language itself.
"How the heart approaches what it yearns" on "One trick Pony"... is a soaring graceful song by him, in the CRAZIEST timing.. My ears are in blissful comfort, but the second I try to sing along,I'm all OVER the shop.. I think its in some kind of "Ten" beat time signature.. check it out someone.. and explain it to me.. please!
.
One Trick Pony - the whole album is utterly sublime. His best work for me... Love him so much! 💕💕💕
the musicality of his songs are partly about 5ths and 6ths...
Interviewer is a fan - but not really musically savvy... too bad...
this lady is so annoying, no wonder he wanted to end the interview. he's a great musician, but it seemed the whole time he didn't want to be there!!