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."
Loves Me Like a Rock
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was a little boy
(When I was just a boy)
And the Devil called my name
(When I was just a boy)
I'd say, "Now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
I'm a consecrated boy
(When I was just a boy)
Singer in a Sunday choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
When I was grown to be a man
(Grown to be a man)
And the Devil would call my name
(Grown to be a man)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Grown to be a man)
I'm a consummated man
(Grown to be a man)
I can snatch a little purity
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And loves me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
And if I was President
(Was the president)
The minute the Congress called my name
(Was the president)
I'd say "now who do (who)
Who do you think you're fooling?"
(Who do you think you're fooling?)
I've got the presidential seal
(Was the president)
I'm up on the presidential podium
My mama loves me, she loves me
She get down on her knees and hug me
Oh, and she loves me like a rock
She rock me like the rock of ages
And love me
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
She love me, love me, love me, love me
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock)
(Loves me like a rock, oh baby)
The lyrics to Paul Simon's "Loves Me Like a Rock" showcase the strong bond between a mother and her son. Simon's voice changes pitch depending on whether he is singing about his childhood, adulthood, or hypothetical presidential status, which adds to the emotion in the song.
The song begins with Simon reminiscing about his childhood, during which he was part of a Sunday choir. Even at a young age, Simon was dedicated to his faith and contradicted the Devil when he tried to tempt him. Simon then fast-forwards to his adult years, where once again the Devil tries to lure him away from his morality. However, Simon is now strong enough to resist the Devil and maintain his purity. Simon then imagines himself as the President of the United States, wherein he again defies the Congress' attempt to sway his morals. Throughout these different stages of his life, Simon's mother remained a constant source of love and support for him, which he compares to the strength and steadfastness of a rock.
The repeated use of "loves me like a rock" in the chorus, along with the accompanying rhythm, invokes a feeling of stability and unyielding love. Simon's use of religious language, including references to the Devil and the "rock of ages," further adds to the depth of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was a little boy
Back when I was just a boy
And the Devil called my name
When I was faced with temptations
I'd say, 'Now who do (who) / Who do you think you're fooling?'
I stood up against the Devil and challenged its influence
I'm a consecrated boy / Singer in a Sunday choir
I dedicated myself to my faith, even singing in the church choir
Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me / She get down on her knees and hug me / Oh, she loves me like a rock / She rock me like the rock of ages / And loves me / She love me, love me, love me, love me
My mother's love for me is as strong and unshakeable as a rock, her support and affection is unwavering
When I was grown to be a man / And the Devil would call my name
Even as an adult, I faced challenges and temptations that tested my faith and morals
I'm a consummated man / I can snatch a little purity
I have reached a level of maturity and sexual experience, but I still strive to uphold moral values
And if I was President / The minute the Congress called my name / I'd say 'now who do (who) / Who do you think you're fooling?'
Even if I held a position of high power, I would stay grounded in my principles and challenge anyone who tried to sway me
I've got the presidential seal / I'm up on the presidential podium
As the President, I hold a symbol of power and authority, and am in the position to lead and inspire others
Oh, and she loves me like a rock / She rock me like the rock of ages / And love me / She love me, love me, love me, love me
Throughout my life, my mother's love has been steadfast and unwavering, providing me with a strong foundation to face any challenge
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Toddy
Just when you are on the edge wondering if anything is worth persuing anymore, along comes someone like Paul Simon and the Jesse Dixon Singers who give you new zest that sooths all the hurt.
trunzia
Feeling the same way, Jack. Hugs to you
Red Pig
Absolutely beautiful
Jorge Mello Oliveira
Incrível essas meninas que maravilha vozes muito linda
Jason Thomas
I love the Jesse Dixon Singers, where can I find more of there music ? this song rocks.
sergeytry
beautifully done!
Javier Pacheco
Such a great musicia!!! Where can I find the whole show?
William Mark Dyer
One of Paul Simon's greatest accomplishments was surrounding himself with the best side musicians.
Jason Pope
I seriously can't get enough of this!
Richie Ranno
You took the words right out of my mouth ! He's also a great songwriter but that's where it ends.