The album was originally intended to be called Think Too Much, however Mo Ostin, president of Warner Bros. Records, persuaded Simon to change it to Hearts and Bones.[1] The album was written and recorded following the Simon and Garfunkel Concert in Central Park in 1981, and the world tour of 1982 - 1983. Some of the songs intended for Think Too Much were previewed on the tour, and Garfunkel worked on some of the songs with Simon in the studio,[2] with an intention that the finished product would be a Simon and Garfunkel album.[3] Ultimately, Garfunkel left the project early on, and none of his contributions were included in the final mix.
There were two songs from this album released as singles. The first single with "Allergies" as the A-side and "Think Too Much (b)" as the B-side peaked at #44 in the US Hot 100. The second single failed to chart, this being "Think Too Much (a)" (A-side) and "Song About the Moon" (B-Side).
Although, in 1983, the album was considered a commercial failure and signaled a low point in Simon's career, the passage of time has been kind to the album. It's been re-examined and considered to be one of Simon's more important records and a lyrically strong one.[4]
Paul Simon - guitar, programming, vocals
Rob Mounsey - synthesizer, vocoder
The Harptones - background vocals
Bernard Edwards - bass
Nile Rodgers - guitar, programming
Airto Moreira - percussion
Marin Alsop - violin
Michael Boddicker - synthesizer
Wells Christy - synthesizer, synclavier
Tom Coppola - synthesizer, synclavier
Al Di Meola - guitar
Gordon Edwards - bass
Steve Ferrone - drums
Steve Gadd - drums
Eric Gale - guitar
Anthony Jackson - contrabass guitar
Jill Jaffe - viola
Jesse Levy - cello
Michael Mainieri, Jr. - marimba, vibraphone, background vocals
George Marge - bass clarinet
Sid McGinnis - guitar
Marcus Miller - bass
David Nichtern - synclavier
Jeff Porcaro - drums
Dean Parks - guitar
Greg Phillinganes - piano, Fender Rhodes
Michael Riesman - synthesizer, conductor
Mark Rivera - alto saxophone
Robert Sabino - synthesizer, piano
Richard Tee - synthesizer, piano, Fender Rhodes, vocals
Carol Wincenc - flute
Frederick Zlotkin - cello
Peter Gordon - French horn
Dave Matthews - horn arrangements
Allergies
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allergies to dust and rain
Maladies, remedies
Still these allergies remain
My hands can't touch a guitar string
My fingers just burn and ache
My head intercedes with my bodily needs
My heart can stand a disaster
My heart can take a disgrace
But my heart is allergic to the women I love
And it's changing the shape of my face
Allergies
Allergies
Something's living on my skin
Doctor, please
Doctor, please
Open up, it's me again
I go to a famous physician
I sleep in the local motel
From what I can see of the people like me
We get better , but we never get well
So I ask myself this question
It's a question I often repeat
Where do allergies go when it's after a show
And they want to get something to eat?
Allergies
Allergies
Something's living on my skin
Doctor, please
Doctor, please
Open up, it's me again
Maladies, melodies
Allergies to dust and rain
Maladies, remedies
Still these allergies remain
I can't breathe
Allergies
Allergies
Something's living on my skin
Doctor, please
Doctor, please
Open up, it's me again
Allergies
Allergies
Allergies
Allergies
In "Allergies," Paul Simon sings about his experiences with allergies, both physical and emotional. He begins by listing some physical symptoms, including allergies to "dust and grain," and notes that despite "remedies," these allergies persist. Then he moves on to describe how his heart is allergic to the women he loves, changing the shape of his face, but notes that his heart can withstand disaster or disgrace. The second verse describes his efforts to seek medical help, going to a famous physician and staying at a hotel, but noting that while people like him may get better, they never truly get well.
Beyond the surface level of discussing allergies, the song contains several deeper themes. One possible interpretation is that the allergies represent the ways in which the world impacts us physically and emotionally, despite our efforts to fight back. The reference to playing guitar and the way his fingers "burn and ache" could symbolize the pain and struggle of trying to create art in a world that can be hostile to it. Similarly, the line "we get better, but we never get well" could refer to the ways in which people may be able to overcome their struggles, but can never truly escape them.
Line by Line Meaning
Maladies
Sickness and disease
Melodies
Pleasant sounds or songs
Allergies to dust and grain
Sensitivity to particles in the air that cause discomfort
Maladies
Sickness and disease
Remedies
Ways to cure or alleviate an illness
Still these allergies remain
Despite efforts to find a cure, the allergies persist
My hand can't touch a guitar string
Due to his allergy, he cannot play an instrument that he loves
My fingers just burn and ache
Physical pain is a result of the allergic reaction
My head intercedes with my bodily needs
His mind and body are not in sync due to the allergy
And my body won't give it a break
The allergic reaction persists, causing constant discomfort
My heart can stand a disaster
Emotionally he can handle difficult situations
My heart can take a disgrace
His heart can withstand feelings of shame or humiliation
But my heart is allergic
He has an emotional aversion to certain love interests
To the women I love
His allergic reaction is specifically directed towards women he is attracted to
And it's changing the shape of my face
The emotional stress of the allergy is having physical effects on him
Allergies
Sensitivity to a particular substance
Allergies
Sensitivity to a particular substance
Something's living on my skin
He feels like there is something living on his skin causing allergy symptoms
Doctor please
He is seeking medical help
Doctor please
He is seeking medical help
Open up it's me again
He has been to the doctor before for this problem
I go to a famous physician
He seeks treatment from a well-known doctor
I sleep in the local hotel
He is staying in a nearby hotel while receiving treatment
From what I can see of the people like me
He observes that others with allergies seem to improve but never fully recover
We get better
Symptoms improve
But we never get well
The allergies persist despite improvements
So I ask myself this question
He wonders about the nature of allergies
It's a question I often repeat
He has thought about this question many times
Where do allergies go
He is questioning where allergies disappear to
When it's after a show
After a performance or event
And they want to get something to eat?
He wonders what happens when someone with allergies wants to eat after a show
Allergies
Sensitivity to a particular substance
Allergies
Sensitivity to a particular substance
Something's living on my skin
He feels like there is something living on his skin causing allergy symptoms
Doctor please
He is seeking medical help
Doctor please
He is seeking medical help
Open up it's me again
He has been to the doctor before for this problem
Maladies
Sickness and disease
Melodies
Pleasant sounds or songs
Allergies to dust and grain
Sensitivity to particles in the air that cause discomfort
Maladies
Sickness and disease
Remedies
Ways to cure or alleviate an illness
Still these allergies remain
Despite efforts to find a cure, the allergies persist
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind