He began performing with his schoolfriend Art Garfunkel in 1956; together the two came to prominence in the 1960s as Simon & Garfunkel. The duo's blend of folk and rock music in hits like "The Sound of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", "America", and "The Boxer" served as a soundtrack to the counterculture movement. Their career together peaked with their last album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), at one point the best-selling album of all time. Throughout his subsequent solo career, Simon has continued to explore an eclectic mixture of genres, including gospel, reggae, soul, and more. His celebrated 1970s output—comprising Paul Simon (1972), There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975)—kept him in the public spotlight and saw critical and commercial acclaim, spawning the hits "Mother and Child Reunion", "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".
Across his life, Simon has intermittently reunited with Garfunkel for several tours, including the famed Concert in Central Park. The widely lauded Graceland (1986) became Simon's biggest album of his career, melding his rock sound with worldbeat flavors; its single "You Can Call Me Al" became one of Simon's top hits. A sequel of sorts, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), preceded his own successful Concert in the Park, attended by a half-million fans. That decade, Simon focused his energies on a Broadway musical The Capeman (1997), which was poorly received. In the first quarter of the next century, Simon continued to record and tour; his later albums, such as You're the One (2000), So Beautiful or So What (2011), and Stranger to Stranger (2016), have introduced him to new generations. He retired from touring in 2018. His most recent work, Seven Psalms, will see release in May 2023.
Simon is among the most acclaimed musicians and songwriters in popular music, and one of the world's best-selling music artists, both for his solo work and with Garfunkel. He is a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has been the recipient of sixteen Grammy Awards, including three for Album of the Year. Two of his works, Sounds of Silence and Graceland, have seen induction into National Recording Registry for their cultural significance, and in 2007, the Library of Congress crowned him the inaugural winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. He is a co-founder of the Children's Health Fund, a nonprofit that provides medical care to children.
In an in-depth interview reprinted in American Songwriter, Simon discusses the craft of songwriting with music journalist Tom Moon. In the interview, Simon explains the basic themes in his songwriting: love, family and social commentary (as well as the overarching messages of religion, spirituality and God in his lyrics). Simon explains the process of how he goes about writing songs in the interview: "The music always precedes the words. The words often come from the sound of the music and eventually evolve into coherent thoughts. Or incoherent thoughts. Rhythm plays a crucial part in the lyric-making as well. It's like a puzzle to find the right words to express what the music is saying."
Born at the Right Time
Paul Simon Lyrics
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A baby boy was found
His eyes as clear as centuries
His silky hair was brown
Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time
Me and my buddies we are traveling people
We like to go down to restaurant row
Spend those Euro-dollars
All the way from Washington to Tokyo
I see them in the airport lounge
Upon their mother's breast
They follow me with open eyes
Their uninvited guest
Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Nothing denied to
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time
Too many people on the bus from the airport
Too many holes in the crust of the earth
The planet groans
Every time it registers another birth
But down among the reeds and rushes
A baby girl was found
Her eyes as clear as centuries
Her silky hair was brown
Never been lonely
Never been lied to
Never had to scuffle in fear
Nothing denied to
Born at the instant
The church bells chime
And the whole world whispering
Born at the right time
The lyrics of "Born at the Right Time" by Paul Simon are filled with a poetic resonance that is both introspective and observational. The song speaks to a sense of renewal, rebirth, and rebirth of one's self, one's place in the world, and one's relationship with humanity. The first verse speaks of a baby boy that was found among the reeds and rushes, his eyes clear as centuries, and his hair silky brown. The imagery here is that of a new beginning, a fresh start, and an innocence that is free from the scars of the world.
The second verse shifts to a first-person point of view, as the singer and his friends travel around the world and take in its many sights and sounds. The singer sees babies in airport lounges and reflects on the uninvited guest that he is in their lives. He speaks of his travels as a form of escape, a way to leave behind the burdens of life and to gain a fresh perspective.
The final verse returns to the theme of renewal, this time with a baby girl found among the reeds and rushes. Her eyes are clear as centuries, just as the boy's were, and her hair is silky brown. The repetition of these images reinforces the notion of rebirth and gives the song a cyclical structure.
Overall, "Born at the Right Time" is a deeply introspective and reflective song that touches on themes of renewal, rebirth, and the fleeting nature of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Down among the reeds and rushes
In a humble, serene setting
A baby boy was found
An innocent child was discovered
His eyes as clear as centuries
His eyes were wise beyond his years
His silky hair was brown
His hair was soft and innocent
Never been lonely
Has never felt truly alone
Never been lied to
Has always been told the truth
Never had to scuffle in fear
Has never had to fight for survival
Nothing denied to
Has always had what they needed
Born at the instant
They came into the world immediately
The church bells chime
The world welcomes them
And the whole world whispering
Everyone's talking about them
Born at the right time
Born at the perfect moment
Me and my buddies we are traveling people
I'm a traveler with my friends
We like to go down to restaurant row
We enjoy exploring different restaurants
Spend those Euro-dollars
We spend money on our travels
All the way from Washington to Tokyo
We travel far and wide
I see them in the airport lounge
I see babies everywhere, even in airports
Upon their mother's breast
Nursing from their mother
They follow me with open eyes
The babies watch me curiously
Their uninvited guest
I am a stranger to them
Too many people on the bus from the airport
The world is overpopulated
Too many holes in the crust of the earth
The planet is being damaged
The planet groans
The planet is suffering
Every time it registers another birth
Every time a new person is born
But down among the reeds and rushes
In a quiet, peaceful place
A baby girl was found
Another innocent child was discovered
Her eyes as clear as centuries
Her eyes were also wise beyond her years
Her silky hair was brown
Her hair was also soft and innocent
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind