Paul Simon On Songwriting. Look up Martyn Joseph for songwriting Inspiration too. 

True American icon. The best singer songwriter of our time. Hands down. I’ve gotten in many arguments about this. He wrote some of his most timeless songs within days of each other.

I could listen to this man talking for hours… Just love him 💕💕

Fascinating. One of the best song writers in history.

Striving for this level of songwriting is easier said than done, but we should keep trying : )

Boy in the Bubble has to be one of the best lyrics ever written. "Staccato signals of constant information A loose affiliation of millionaires And billionaires and baby".

I gotta try seriously writing an entire song just so i can say i tried

Graceland became a metaphor for spiritual renewal... Brilliant.

Top man. Great songs.

3:37 Paul is so right, most of those girls never actually exist

Always loved Paul Simon and the Graceland album.. "She said baby take me dancing, but they ended up sleeping in a doorway"

Just listened to his newer song 'dazzling blue', he,s 70 and sounds the same as he did when i was a kid...Thank God for Paul Simon.

PS is up there. Wonderful songwriter. Very inspirational for myself. 🥃

I have reason to believe that we will be well received. I’m going to Graceland, Graceland Memphis Tennessee! I’m going to Graceland!

after years of listening to songs I enjoy, learning how to play my instrument, and developing my vocal style, I finally began to share my songs here last year. Glad I found this, it's all things I have known, but great to hear it from the mouth of a great songwriter. 🐰❤️🇺🇸🎸🎵🤝✌️

I really think that Paul Simon is, after Paul McCartney, the best composer of the 20th century...Nothing less...Of course in the category of pop songs. McCartney or Simon dit not write novels or write jazz music… But what a great talent these 2 have…

I don't see why anyone disliked this video it can only help

Song writing comes from nothing,but being there at the right time with an ear to hear

What a cool story about how that song came about. I’m a long time fan of S&G

I've written many songs where whatever nonsense words I use to temporarily shore up the vocal melody actually become the final lyrics. Nothing else works. Sometimes you can't fight it, they came from SOMEWHERE....

Want more of this kind of interview!!!!!

Music to my ears... 🎼🎶🎸

Hes so awsome....its true with songs n melody....sometimes they just pop ☝.....you dont know how or why....until your supposed to. Then its like......Woe.........ok then, whatever you say......Pauls music will live forever....just as Simon n Garfunkels.....yep

It’s all about observation. It’s amazing what pops in your head as you look around and do stuff.

I love my girl oh Donna where can you be... where can you be?

It was simple Paul, Elvis sent you that message about going to "Graceland".

So cool! Thanks for sharing.

Brilliant!

The times are a changing

Is it just me, or should Ben Platt play him in a biopic

If we add duos... Elton/ Taupin Lennon/ Macca Waters/ Gilmore

Thank you

Excellent.

Oh Donna, Oh Donna...

Maybe ten people in the world could write songs as well as Paul Simon, no maybe five.

Ray Phiri was instrumental in the song Graceland being written, but does he get a writing credit? No. Paul Simon has a long history of this, going back to the 1960's with songs he wrote with Bruce Woodley of the Seekers that he took all the credit for. I mean, here he is opening up on exactly how the song was inspired but he doesn't explain why he didn't give credit to the man who opened up the inspiration to continue the song. Many of the songs on the Graceland album came out of jams with the South African musicians, but Simon doesn't seem to be able to acknowledge the fact that the songs wouldn't have happened without their input. It infuriates me. He was already a multi-millionaire by the time of this album, how would a few royalty percentage points hurt him either way? Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are two others who did similar things, not allowing bandmates who came up with initial riffs (Jumpin' Jack Flash being one) to share in the songwriting royalties. That's why U2 have managed to stay together as an unchanged lineup for over 40 years -- Bono and the Edge have always included the other two as songwriters even if they didn't contribute to the songwriting. I'm not saying you should always do that, credit where credit is due, but there's a fair balance somewhere in the middle, and as much as I think that Paul SImon is a giant among songwriters he does kind of shit me.

I got no choice. If I stay here I'm gonna drown.

It's from Heaven

1:23 - Paul's first song he ever wrote sounds nice, although he talks about it in underestimating tone.

It's funny that people go to school and learn theory, recording, songwriting but most of them can't write a great song. Most songwriters with no formal education can't just write a great song either. Some people just have that rare gift to put something together and make it sound a certain way that makes a great song. I can't put my finger on it but It involves craft, some imagination, based on something familiar to the ear to create something transcendant that endures. Most of the time Paul can't even do it but it certainly helps that he thinks in a melodic way and two of his notes can sound better than most songs written by others.

Would be nice to know from what year this interview is. 1975? 1990? 2010?

What's first the tune 🎸 or the ✍ writing

0:30 you can clearly hear the influence it had on Kathy’s Song for example

Where is the rest of the interview?

Sounds like Donna

I really hope he gave some writing credit to the guys who came up with the music.

What is this interview from?

Hi. What is the title of the song he is singing at the start???

3:53 calling bullshit. His resentment over Garfunkle is showing. Graceland was the change where he went from writing about girls he liked to honest and personal lyrics?? His best stuff was Bookends and "paul simon"... that transition. And "bridge over.." is epic. I find graceland to be a bit affected and forced.

Is it from Heaven

0:30 earf angl

Lori McKenna

Been writing for 6 yrs i still sound cheesy

Love his songs but his vanity leaks through his conversation...not that that matters😏

Noddy

The Devil incarnate. Shhhh. It’s a secret

Hahaha who doesn't exist