Paul Simon Biography, Songs, Discography, Albums & Awards

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America’s innovative and enduring singer songwriter is Paul Frederic Simon, born on 13th October 1941 in Newark, New Jersey. He spent his early life in Flushing, Queens where both academic and musical education were lifestyle pillars of the family. His father was a bassist and a professor while his mother was a school teacher. Folk music along with R&B and baseball became important in the young Simons life.

At the age of eleven Is when he met Art Garfunkel with whom he formed a duo at the age of thirteen. He recorded his first single ‘Hey Schoolgirl’ alongside Garfunkel and they went by ‘Tom & Jerry’. The single gained moderate success as it peaked at number 49 on the Billboard charts in 57’. Regardless of the success, both artists decided to pursue education with Simon enrolling at Queens College as an English major. They decided to reunite in 64, forming the iconic duo ‘Simon & Garfunkel’.

Their debut LP Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. flopped until 1965 when a remix of “The Sound of Silence” with electric instrumentation propelled the duo to new heights. They became one of the defining acts of the 1960 counterculture, celebrated for their harmonized, poetic hits “Mrs. Robinson,” “America,” and “The Boxer,” bringing enduring gash to America’s lyrical landscape. They reached even further commercial success with Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970, one of the best selling albums of all time.

Simon’s solo career took off in the 1970s after the release of his self titled debut and “There Goes Rhymin’ Simon,” both eclectic best sellers with tunes ranging from gospel to reggae. His status in the industry soared after the 1975 release “Still Crazy After All These Years,” with the perennial classic “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”

The 1986 release of Graceland marked a new venture into world music for Simon, blending South African rhythm, politically charged themes, and gushing praise. “You Can Call Me Al” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” also featured, winning him a Grammy for Album of the Year.

With The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), he further explored global sounds and returned to Central Park for another historic concert. Although The Capeman (1998) a Broadway musical adaptation of “The Capeman: A Story of a Latin Teenager” was certainly a misstep, Simon rebounded with albums like You’re the One (2000) and Surprise (2006) which showcased his evolving sound and incisive lyrics.

In later years, these themes also emerged in So Beautiful or So What (2011), Stranger to Stranger (2016), and Seven Psalms (2023) which introspectively explored his spirituality, mortality, and faith. His voice was as strong as the muse that inspired him during his “Quiet Celebration Tour 2025”, despite claiming to retire from the limelight in 2018.

Paul Simon, Peggy Harper, and actress Carrie Fisher are part of his personal life, but his most recent wife is musician and mother of his three kids, Edie Brickell. In her stead, Simon has championed young people’s health and music education, co-founding the Children’s Health Fund and supporting many philanthropic artistic undertakings.

For over six decades, Paul Simon has shaped American music like no other, redefining the terrain with each emotional and lyrical exploration.

Top Songs

  • The Sound of Silence (1965) – A defining anthem of the 1960s and Simon & Garfunkel’s breakthrough hit.
  • Bridge over Troubled Water (1970) – A gospel-infused ballad that became an international classic.
  • Mrs. Robinson (1968) – Known for its placement in The Graduate, it became a symbol of generational angst.
  • 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (1975) – A playful, percussion-driven solo hit from Still Crazy After All These Years.
  • Graceland (1986) – The title track from Simon’s world music masterpiece, blending folk and South African sounds.
  • You Can Call Me Al (1986) – A quirky and iconic track with global instrumentation and a memorable music video.
  • Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (1972) – A lively solo track featuring Latin-inspired rhythms.
  • Homeward Bound (1966) – Written during his time in England, it reflects longing and homesickness.
  • Slip Slidin’ Away (1977) – A contemplative track exploring life’s inevitable drift.
  • Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) – A reflective piece on aging and emotional continuity.

Discography (Studio Albums Only)

  1. The Paul Simon Songbook (1965)
  2. Paul Simon (1972)
  3. There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973)
  4. Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)
  5. One-Trick Pony (1980)
  6. Hearts and Bones (1983)
  7. Graceland (1986)
  8. The Rhythm of the Saints (1990)
  9. Songs from The Capeman (1997)
  10. You’re the One (2000)
  11. Surprise (2006)
  12. So Beautiful or So What (2011)
  13. Stranger to Stranger (2016)
  14. In the Blue Light (2018)
  15. Seven Psalms (2023)

Top Albums

  • Bridge over Troubled Water (1970, with Garfunkel) – One of the best-selling and most awarded albums of the 20th century.
  • Graceland (1986) – A genre-defining work that merged pop and African music, earning Album of the Year at the Grammys.
  • Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) – Simon’s most awarded solo album, winning two Grammys including Album of the Year.
  • Paul Simon (1972) – A bold debut that showcased his range and songwriting maturity post-Garfunkel.
  • There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973) – A critically praised album featuring multiple hit singles and a variety of genres.

Awards

  • Grammy Awards: 16 wins including three for Album of the Year (Bridge over Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years, Graceland).
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Inducted twice – as a solo artist (2001) and as part of Simon & Garfunkel (1990).
  • Library of Congress Gershwin Prize: First-ever recipient (2007).
  • Kennedy Center Honors: Recipient (2002).
  • Polar Music Prize: Honored in 2012.
  • Oscar Nomination: For “Father and Daughter” (2002).

Paul Simon’s singles List

1970s

  • Mother and Child Reunion (1972) – US #4
  • Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (1972) – US #22
  • Duncan (1972) – AUS #12
  • Take Me to the Mardi Gras (1973) – UK #7
  • Kodachrome (1973) – US #2
  • Loves Me Like a Rock (1973) – US #2
  • American Tune (1973) – US #35
  • Gone at Last (with Phoebe Snow) (1975) – US #23
  • 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (1975) – US #1
  • Still Crazy After All These Years (1976) – US #40
  • Slip Slidin’ Away (1977) – US #5
  • Stranded in a Limousine (1978) – US #39

1980s

  • Late in the Evening (1980) – US #6
  • One-Trick Pony (1980) – US #40
  • How the Heart Approaches What It Yearns (1980)
  • Allergies (1983) – US #44
  • Think Too Much (B) (1983)
  • The Boy in the Bubble (1986) – UK #26
  • You Can Call Me Al (1986) – US #23, UK #4
  • Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (1986) – UK #77
  • Graceland (1986) – UK #98
  • Under African Skies (with Linda Ronstadt) (1987)

1990s

  • The Obvious Child (1990) – UK #15
  • Proof (1991) – UK #38
  • Born at the Right Time (1991)
  • The Cool, Cool River (1991)
  • Trailways Bus (1997)
  • Adios Hermanos (1997)
  • Bernadette (1997)

2000s

  • You’re the One (2000)
  • Hurricane Eye (2000)
  • Father and Daughter (2002) – UK #31

2010s

  • Getting Ready for Christmas Day (2010)
  • The Afterlife (2011)
  • Questions for the Angels (2011)
  • Wristband (2016)
  • Cool Papa Bell (2016)

2020s

  • Seven Psalms (2023, released as a complete suite – no official singles but tracks received digital streaming attention)

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