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."
Cool Cool River
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anger and no one can heal it
Shoves a little bump into the momentum
It's just a little lump
But you feel it
In the creases and the shadows
With a rattling deep emotion
The cool, cool river
Yes boss, the government handshake
Yes boss, the crusher of language
Yes boss, Mr. Stillwater
The face at the edge of the banquet
The cool, the cool river
The cool, the cool river
I believe in the future
I may live in my car
My radio tuned to
The voice of a star
Song dogs barking at the break of dawn
Lightning pushes the edge of a thunderstorm
And these old hopes and fears
Still at my side
Anger and no one can heal it
Slides through the metal detector
Lives like a mole in a motel
A slide in a slide projector
The cool, cool river
Sweeps the wild, white ocean
The rage of love turns inward
To prayers of devotion
And these prayers are
The constant road across the wilderness
These prayers are
These prayers are the memory of God
The memory of God
And I believe in the future
We shall suffer no more
Maybe not in my lifetime
But in yours I feel sure
Song dogs barking at the break of dawn
Lightning pushes the edges of a thunderstorm
And these streets
Quiet as a sleeping army
Send their battered dreams to heaven, to heaven
For the mother's restless son
Who is a witness to, who is a warrior
Who denies his urge to break and run
Who says: Hard times?
I'm used to them
The speeding planet burns
I'm used to that
My life's so common it disappears
And sometimes even music
Cannot substitute for tears
The lyrics to Paul Simon's song, The Cool Cool River, are complex and layered with meaning. The song is about the state of the world and the struggles of modern society. The opening lyrics "Moves like a fist through traffic, Anger and no one can heal it," evoke an image of frustration and rage that cannot be contained but rather spills out uncontrollably into our daily lives. The metaphor of the cool, cool river sweeping the wild, white ocean is a juxtaposition of the peaceful and powerful forces of nature, contrasting with the chaos and aggression of human life.
As the song progresses, Simon refers to the government shaking hands and crushing language, suggesting that our leaders are not listening to the needs of society. The lyrics "I may live in my car, My radio tuned to The voice of a star," suggest that people are searching for comfort and connection in a world that can often feel overwhelming and isolating. The repetition of the phrase "The cool, cool river" serves as a reminder that there is tranquility amidst the chaos, and that we should strive to connect with this sense of calmness.
The song concludes with a series of lines that reinforce the idea of resilience in the face of tough times. The lyrics "Hard times? I'm used to them, The speeding planet burns," convey a sense of familiarity with adversity and the need to adapt to survive. The final line, "sometimes even music Cannot substitute for tears," highlights the importance of acknowledging our emotions and expressing them in healthy ways.
Overall, Paul Simon's The Cool Cool River is a poignant reminder of the complexities of modern life and the importance of finding peace and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Moves like a fist through traffic
An intense feeling of anger that is uncontrollable and unable to be stopped.
Anger and no one can heal it
A feeling of anger that is all-consuming and unmanageable.
Shoves a little bump into the momentum
A small obstacle in the way of progress that still has the power to be felt.
It's just a little lump
A minor blockage or impediment that has a noticeable influence on the situation.
But you feel it in the creases and the shadows
The emotional effects of the obstruction can be seen and felt, influencing even the most subtle aspects of the situation.
With a rattling deep emotion
Emotions run deep and are difficult to control due to the severity of the situation.
The cool, cool river sweeps the wild, white ocean
Nature has a way of overpowering even the most intense of human emotions.
Yes boss, the government handshake
The powerful and influential have a way of using formalities and politeness to assert their authority over the less powerful and assertive.
Yes boss, the crusher of language
Those in charge have a habit of using language to manipulate the narrative to their advantage and silence any opposition.
Yes boss, Mr. Stillwater
The wealthy and influential retain control over the social and economic landscapes, even when it is not in the best interest of the people.
The face at the edge of the banquet
The elite of society, those at the top of the social hierarchy, control those at the bottom, even when they are not actively present.
I believe in the future
Hope exists that circumstances will improve in the future.
I may live in my car
Despite the hope for the future, the present circumstances may not be ideal and may require sacrifices to survive.
My radio tuned to the voice of a star
Entertainment and popular culture can provide a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life.
Song dogs barking at the break of dawn
Nature continues despite human suffering and struggles.
Lightning pushes the edge of a thunderstorm
A powerful natural force that can be both beautiful and dangerous.
And these old hopes and fears still at my side
Despite the passage of time, hope and fear remain constant companions to every human experience.
Slides through the metal detector
Being monitored and scrutinized to ensure conformity to societal norms and expectations.
Lives like a mole in a motel
Living in a small, cramped space with few options for escape or movement.
A slide in a slide projector
Life is fleeting and constantly moving, as if projected onto a screen that is always changing.
The rage of love turns inward to prayers of devotion
The intense, passionate feelings of love can often lead to introspection and spiritual contemplation.
And these prayers are the constant road across the wilderness
Spiritual faith remains a steadfast companion through every hardship and struggle.
These prayers are the memory of God
Religious devotion is deeply connected to a sense of history and transcendence beyond the immediate present.
And I believe in the future we shall suffer no more
Despite the current struggles and hardships, hope remains for a future that will offer relief from suffering.
Maybe not in my lifetime, but in yours I feel sure
The future is unpredictable, but the hope for better days persists.
And these streets quiet as a sleeping army
The stillness of a quiet street can be both eerie and peaceful, like the calm before the storm.
Send their battered dreams to heaven, to heaven
Despite hardship and adversity, people continue to hope and dream for a better future.
For the mother's restless son who is a witness to, who is a warrior
A person who has witnessed the struggles and suffering of others can become a powerful advocate for change.
Who denies his urge to break and run
A person who has faced adversity and chosen to stay and resist, rather than flee or give in.
Who says: Hard times? I'm used to them
Through experience, a person can become acclimated to hardships and difficulties, and be less daunted by them.
The speeding planet burns
The world is constantly changing, and sometimes it can feel like it is moving too quickly or out of control.
I'm used to that
Despite the chaos of the world, people often learn to adapt in order to survive.
My life's so common it disappears
Despite one's own personal hardships and struggles, individual lives can feel insignificant or overlooked in the grand scheme of things.
And sometimes even music cannot substitute for tears
Music and art can be powerful tools to express and process emotions, but sometimes they cannot fully replace the catharsis of tears.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind