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."
Horace and Pete
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't complain about my problems
I'm okay the way things are
I pull my stool up to the bar
At Horace And Pete's
Sometimes I wonder
Why do we tear ourselves to pieces?
Or maybe I just need a drink
At Horace And Pete's
Horace And Pete.
In this song, Paul Simon is reflecting on his problems and the struggles of life. Despite everything, he is content with the way things are and finds solace in Horace and Pete's bar. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the song. Simon is acknowledging that he has problems, but he's not seeking to complain about them; instead, he's come to terms with them. The line "I'm okay the way things are" shows that he's found a level of acceptance with his problems and is content with his current situation.
The chorus of the song is where Simon really delves into his thoughts on life. "Sometimes I wonder why do we tear ourselves to pieces?" he asks. He's reflecting on the struggles that humans go through in life and wonders why it has to be this way. The line "I just need some time to think or maybe I just need a drink" shows that Simon is using the environment of Horace and Pete's bar to process his thoughts and feelings. The bar becomes a safe haven, a place where he can think and reflect on his life.
Overall, "Horace and Pete" is a song about finding peace in situations where we have little control. It's a reminder that sometimes it's okay to just sit back and accept things for what they are. The bar becomes a metaphor for life, a place where we can find comfort and understanding amidst the chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
Hell no
Absolutely not
I can't complain about my problems
My problems may not be as bad as others'
I'm okay the way things are
I have accepted the way things are in life
I pull my stool up to the bar
I sit down at the bar to relax
At Horace And Pete's
A reference to the location
Sometimes I wonder
Occasionally I ask myself
Why do we tear ourselves to pieces?
Why do we emotionally destroy ourselves?
I just need some time to think
I need to contemplate to clear up my mind
Or maybe I just need a drink
A drink may provide temporary relief to my stress
At Horace And Pete's
A reference to the location
Horace And Pete.
Emphasis placed on the location mentioned earlier
Writer(s): Paul Simon
Contributed by Adrian C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jonnydupe07
A great show and great music...this is one of the sweet spots in life!
NolanCho
SHUT THE FUCK UP!
Grega
I watсhеeeed Horаce and Pеte full moviе hеre https://twitter.com/5bb9ee829f78b3053/status/795841209268719616 Paul Simooon Horacе and Рeteе Theеeemeе Song
TheDriftingsmoke
no kidding
ACEshredZ
+jonnydupe07 Agreed. Came around at a good time for a lot of us, I bet.
jonnydupe07
+dattajack -This one just appeared, I don't even use GPS. Maybe I'm just lucky.
Niall Horisk
Awh, hearing this just brings back to me how much of a fucking brilliant show this is.
Carlton Jumel Smith
That third episode in which the lady talked about also dating her husbands father - BRILLIANT ACTING/BRILLIANT WRITING.
Sultan Aljuhani
Best soundtrack to capture the soul of a show
Rob Harley
only Paul Simon can create something as beautiful as that