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."
Jonah
Paul Simon Lyrics
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Sizing the room up
Checking the bar
Local girls unspoken conversation
Misinformation
Plays guitar
They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
I know Jonah
He was swallowed by a song
No one gives their dreams away too lightly
They hold them tightly
Warm against cold
One more year of traveling ‘round this circuit
Then you can work it into gold
They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
But I say there's no truth to that tale
I know Jonah
He was swallowed by a song
Here's to all the boys who came along
Carrying soft guitars in cardboard cases
All night long
Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
The song "Jonah" by Paul Simon talks about the life of a musician and the struggles that come with it. He starts by describing the preparation that goes into a performance, checking the bar and sizing the room up to ensure the best experience for both the musician and the audience. He then goes on to mention the unspoken conversation that happens between local girls, possibly referring to the flirtatious interactions that happen in the crowd. However, the conversation can also be seen as an analogy for the disconnect between musicians and their audience, who may not fully understand or appreciate the artist's message.
Simon then brings up the story of Jonah, who is often cited as having been swallowed by a whale in the Bible. However, he claims there is no truth to that tale, and instead proposes that Jonah was swallowed by a song. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the power of music to consume and overtake an artist's life, reflecting both the sacrifice and the reward of pursuing a career in music.
In the final verse, Simon pays homage to the boyhood dreams of young guitar-wielding musicians, who carry their instruments in cardboard cases and play all night long. He brings up the question of where those boys have gone, perhaps suggesting that they have moved on from their dream in pursuit of something else, or that they have become successful and well-known musicians themselves.
Overall, "Jonah" is a reflective look at the life of a musician, the challenges they face, and the enduring power of music to captivate, consume and inspire.
Line by Line Meaning
Half an hour change your strings and tune up
Before performing, take the time to prepare and make sure your equipment is in proper working condition
Sizing the room up
Assess the environment where you'll be performing to adjust accordingly
Checking the bar
Ensure that the venue has all necessary resources and that patrons are enjoying the music
Local girls unspoken conversation
Pay attention to the audience's reactions throughout the show and engage with them if possible
Misinformation
Be wary of hearsay and rumors that could potentially derail one's creative endeavors
Plays guitar
As a musician, it's essential to hone one's craft continuously
They say Jonah he was swallowed by a whale
There's a commonly held belief that Jonah was swallowed by a whale in the Bible
But I say there's no truth to that tale
The songwriter disagrees with this belief
I know Jonah
The songwriter has personal connections with someone named Jonah
He was swallowed by a song
Jonah's passion for music consumed him
No one gives their dreams away too lightly
People typically hold onto their aspirations tightly
They hold them tightly
Dreams are precious and should be pursued with great care
Warm against cold
Dreams provide comfort and hope amidst life's difficulties
One more year of traveling ‘round this circuit
Another year of touring before being able to fully succeed in the music industry
Then you can work it into gold
After putting in the time and effort, success will follow
Here's to all the boys who came along
A tribute to all of the musicians who came before and paved the way
Carrying soft guitars in cardboard cases
Traveling to gigs on a shoestring budget with basic equipment
All night long
Playing and performing for hours on end
Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Reflecting on where those past musicians are now
Do you wonder where those boys have gone?
Reiterating the question posed in the previous line
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind