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."
Run That Body Down
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said I seem to be OK
She said, "Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now who you foolin?"
I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
I told her what's wrong
I said, "Peg, you better look around
How long you think you can
Run that body down
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?"
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I said, "Na na na"
Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin, yeah?
The song "Run That Body Down" by Paul Simon is a commentary on the destructive lifestyle that many individuals lead. The first verse of the song describes a visit to the doctor, who assures the singer that he seems to be healthy. However, the doctor cautions him to take a closer look at his life and consider the consequences of his actions. The chorus of the song repeats the message from the doctor's warning: "How long you think that you can run that body down?" The singer does not heed the warning and instead continues on with his reckless behavior.
The second verse shifts to the singer's home life where his wife asks him what is wrong. He tells her what the doctor said and implores her to consider her own actions and the toll it may be taking on her body. The chorus repeats once again to emphasize the message that if they continue on this path, they will eventually pay the price.
The phrase "who you foolin'" is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the reckless behavior is a form of self-deception. The song serves as a cautionary tale for those who lead unhealthy lives and refuse to consider the consequences.
Overall, "Run That Body Down" is a poignant commentary on the self-destructive behavior that many people engage in, despite the warnings of others. It is a reminder that our bodies are not indestructible and that eventually, we will have to pay the price of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Went to my doctor yesterday
I visited my doctor recently
She said I seem to be OK
The doctor said that I appear to be healthy
She said, "Paul, you better look around
The doctor warned me that I need to pay attention to my health
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
The doctor asked how much longer I can go on ignoring the strain I am putting on my body
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
The doctor asked how many times I can continue to put my body through the same unhealthy patterns
Who, now who you foolin?
The doctor questioned who I am trying to deceive by ignoring my health
I came back home and I went to bed
I returned home and went to sleep
I was resting my head
I was simply lying in bed
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
My wife came in and asked what was bothering me
I told her what's wrong
I confided in her about my health issues
I said, "Peg, you better look around
How long you think you can
Run that body down
I warned my wife that she also needs to be conscious of her health
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?
I asked her how long she can continue her own unhealthy patterns while lying to herself
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin, yeah?
I continued to question who we are fooling by not taking better care of our bodies
Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
I urge others, particularly younger people, to be mindful of their own physical health
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
I ask how long they think they can continue neglecting their bodies without consequences
Who, now, who you foolin?
I ask who they are trying to deceive by ignoring their health
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@santaclaushawkeyenj3878
Run That Body Down
Song by Paul Simon
Went to my doctor yesterday
She said I seem to be OK
She said, "Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now who you foolin?"
I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
I told her what's wrong
I said, "Peg, you better look around
How long you think you can
Run that body down
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?"
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I said, "Na na na"
Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now, who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin?
Who you foolin, yeah?
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
Went to my doctor yesterday
She said I seem to be OK
She said, "Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can Run that body down?
How many nights you think you can
Do what you been doin'
Who, now who you foolin?"
I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
I told her what's wrong
I said, "Peg, you better look around
Ah, yeah,
I said, "Na na na"
Kid, you better look around
@user-kd6vg1vi9u
I first heard this song in my freshman year of college when I had barely slept or eaten in days and it made me sob. It was what motivated me to recover from my eating disorder. Thanks, Paul.
@firebolt.
Something about this songs is so catchy. I don't know what it is, but I can't stop listening.
@marionvanderbliek
exactly.
@MVR326
One of my favorites. Aside from the beautiful melody, lyrics suggesting strife and emotions, but also interesting coordination between the prominent bass line and the vibraphone. That mid section from 2:10 to about 2:50 is really kind of striking Simon said that some sections of the music were inspired by Bach. I would love to hear him elaborate more on that !
@blooregardkazoo2411
I hope I never get sick of this song.
@xmcddddd
The beat, easy listening guitar, chill paul vocals, and the storytelling.😅
@herdisssveinsdottirknudzse2484
One of my absolute favorites on this record, this and Paba Hobo. Such a sweet melody, lyrics about stress in everyday life, and these awesome rhythmics!
@adriangreenhouse
This a Beautiful Album 💿
@theoriginalunc
Papa hobo is another underrated song of his
@williamreaves3780
What a talent ! He and Art were fantastic when I went to the Central Park Concert back in 1981.
A half million music lovers attended that one... FREE! VERY, VERY PEACEFUL.