Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

A Simple Desultory Philippic
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I been Norman Mailered, Maxwell Taylored
I been John O'Hara'd, McNamara'd
I been Rolling Stoned and Beatled 'til I'm blind
I been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
Communist, 'cause I'm left-handed
That's the hand I use, well, never mind

I been Phil Spectored, resurrected
I been Lou Adlered, Barry Sadlered
Well, I paid all the dues I want to pay
And I learned the truth from Lenny Bruce
And all my wealth won't buy me health
So I smoke a pint of tea a day

I knew a man, his brain was so small
He couldn't think of nothing at all
Not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry
He's so unhip that when you say Dylan
He thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas
Whoever he was
The man ain't got no culture
But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned

I been Mick Jaggered and silver daggered
Andy Warhol, won't you please come home?
I been mother, father, aunt and uncled
Been Roy Haleed and Art Garfunkeled
I just discovered somebody's tapped my phone

Folk rock
I've lost my harmonica, Albert

Overall Meaning

In the song "A Simple Desultory Philippic" by Simon and Garfunkel, the lyrics speak to the singer's experiences and influences in their life. The lyrics mention various cultural figures, from writers like Norman Mailer and John O'Hara to musicians like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. The singer is commenting on the ways in which they have been influenced by these figures, but also how they have become disillusioned with some of them. For example, they mention being "Communist, 'cause I'm left-handed," which could be interpreted as a critique of the overly simplistic ways in which people are categorized politically. The reference to Lenny Bruce suggests that the singer finds truth in comedy and criticism of society, while the mention of smoking tea could speak to a desire to escape from reality.


The final stanza of the song describes a man who is "so unhip that when you say Dylan/He thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas/Whoever he was/The man ain't got no culture." This line suggests that the singer has a certain amount of contempt for people who don't appreciate or understand cultural figures like Bob Dylan. However, the final line of the song, "But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned," seems to undercut this judgment. The line suggests that everyone has their flaws and that it's okay to indulge in escapist behavior, like getting high.


Line by Line Meaning

I been Norman Mailered, Maxwell Taylored
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated Norman Mailer and Maxwell Taylor.


I been John O'Hara'd, McNamara'd
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated John O'Hara and Robert McNamara.


I been Rolling Stoned and Beatled 'til I'm blind
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated The Rolling Stones and The Beatles so much that it has become overwhelming.


I been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
I have read and been influenced by philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand to the point of being labeled as a follower of hers.


Communist, 'cause I'm left-handed
People have mistaken my left-handedness for being a Communist, which is not true.


That's the hand I use, well, never mind
I am left-handed and use my left hand for everything, but it is not related to my political beliefs.


I been Phil Spectored, resurrected
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated Phil Spector in my music.


I been Lou Adlered, Barry Sadlered
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated Lou Adler and Barry Sadler in my music.


Well, I paid all the dues I want to pay
I have worked hard and paid my dues in the music industry as much as I wanted to.


And I learned the truth from Lenny Bruce
I have learned valuable lessons of truth from comedian Lenny Bruce.


And all my wealth won't buy me health
Money cannot buy good health.


So I smoke a pint of tea a day
I have a harmful habit of smoking and drinking tea excessively.


I knew a man, his brain was so small
I knew an intellectually challenged man who lacked critical thinking.


He couldn't think of nothing at all
He was incapable of coming up with even the simplest of ideas or thoughts.


Not the same as you and me
He was not intellectually equal to us.


He doesn't dig poetry
He is incapable of appreciating or understanding poetry.


He's so unhip that when you say Dylan
He is so uncool that when you mention Dylan, he thinks you are talking about a different Dylan.


He thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas
He thinks you are referring to the poet Dylan Thomas when you mention Dylan.


Whoever he was
The intellectually challenged man did not even know who Dylan Thomas was.


The man ain't got no culture
The intellectually challenged man has no appreciation or understanding of culture.


But it's alright, ma, everybody must get stoned
It is okay to relax and have a good time, as everyone should allow themselves to have some fun sometimes.


I been Mick Jaggered and silver daggered
I have been heavily influenced by and imitated Mick Jagger and also referenced the song "The Silver Dagger" in my music.


Andy Warhol, won't you please come home?
I am referencing Andy Warhol in my music and wanting him to come back and continue to inspire me.


I been mother, father, aunt and uncled
I have played many different roles in my personal and professional life.


Been Roy Haleed and Art Garfunkeled
I have been influenced by and worked with Roy Halee and Art Garfunkel in my music.


I just discovered somebody's tapped my phone
I have just found out that someone has been listening in on my phone conversations without my knowledge or consent.


Folk rock
My music style is a blend of both traditional folk music and rock music.


I've lost my harmonica, Albert
I have lost my harmonica and am referencing the musician Albert King in my music.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Beth Bailey


on The Sounds Of Silence

Aragon Courts 1967

More Versions