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."
Satin Summer Nights
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's cooler than the street
I been watching the setting sun
As it bounces off the avenue
Turning into gold dust at my feet
Carlos and Yolanda
Dancing in the hallway
To an old melody
My love, my love
Come to me
I believe I'm in the power of st. Lazarus
And he holds me in his sight
I know that these jitterbug days I'm living
Well they won't last for all of us
But they'll last for a long summer night
I can feel the fire in her eyes
Tonight, tonight
Under satin summer skies
Bernadette
Baby, baby, baby
Be my special one
I seen you move in from across the street
I like the way you walk
I love the way you run
Yolanda
Baby, baby
No more baby talk
Papi, this ain't mayaguez
Bernadette & Yolanda
This is the island of Nueva York
Yolanda
We'll go through the projects
Make out on the roof
Count the stars like silver studs
On my motorcycle boots
Umbrella man
Wastin your time here man, they don?t know what I do
Watcha lookin at, little ghetto weed
Sucio, I feel like killin you
Banana colored light skinned spics
You feel your peel so fine
I'm Hernandez, the umbrella man
Your future's locked in mine
The chaplains, and the golden guineas
The red wings and the crowns
The mighty mau maus, those shines from Brooklyn
They want to cut the vampires down, down
The savage skulls, the Fordham baldies
They'll treat you like you're piss
From the heart of the barrio now my brother
We tell them mother fuckers suck on this.
I think we got something to talk about
You're a coolie from the turf
That's cool, but you don't get no respect around here unless you belong to a bopping gang...
I mean, you either belong or you get hurt
Or you can buy some protection from me.
Cause if someones got to die
To pay for the shit they've done
I believe in an eye for an eye
Now what you believe in Salvador Agron, Mr.Agron,
Senor Agron.
Sal
I believe I'm in the power of St. Lazarus
And he holds me in his sight
I believe he watches over us all
Don't tear apart
This satin summer night
Umbrella man
Well did you bring me my money
My cab fare, my new shoes
I got expenses, you know
Where's my weekly dues
Sal
I ain't giving you my fuckin money
Umbrella man
O ye mother fucker where's this hibarro from
You go when I say, I call, you come
You know it takes a strong man to survive
It ain't no accident that you?re still alive
We stand for the neighborhood
He still lives with his mother
But he sneaks down
A coolie in the shadow of the playground
You want to fight for your people
Don't you sal
Sal
Well, yeah if I got to
Umbrella man
Come here I want to show you something
This is the cave of the vampires
Count Dracula's castle
The very sight could turn a white man grey
Made in the shade use my umbrella
Black like the night we fly in
That blade is all you need to keep the dogs away
So you want to be a vampire man that's cool
We're always looking for young blood
Carlos apache collects the dues
So bring us something that we can use
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
Frenchie cordero goes down to hells kitchen
To sell the irish some weed
Well this patty boy's mama was on the stoop
Starts bitching about spics is a mongo breed
Now here comes her son, he looks like a ton
Of cornbeef floating in beer, and he says...
Fucking Puerto Rican dope dealing punk
Get your shit brown ass out of here yeah
He says fucking Puerto Rican dope dealing punk
Get your shit brown ass out of here yeah
Well these shanty town Irish beat his ass good
And fractured his collar bone
Conio, all I was thinking, what home of the brave?
It's a fucking war zone
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
If you got cohones come on me te mano
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
If you got cohones come on me te mano
The lyrics of "Satin Summer Nights" by Paul Simon tell a story of life in the barrio in the summer, where people dance to old melodies and watch the sun turn into gold dust as it sets over the avenue. The setting of the rooftop is used to convey the idea of escape from the harsh reality of life on the street. The song touches on themes of love, gang violence, and social inequality. The characters in the song include Carlos, Yolanda, Bernadette, and Umbrella Man, who represents the violence and corruption present in the barrio.
The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, with references to the "jitterbug days" that won't last for all of us, but which will "last for a long summer night." The mention of St. Lazarus adds a spiritual dimension to the song, suggesting that the power of love and faith can help overcome the challenges faced in the barrio. The Spanish language and imagery used in the lyrics add to the authenticity of the song, and give it a multicultural appeal.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was included in the soundtrack of the movie "The Wanderers," which tells the story of a gang in the Bronx in the early 1960s. The song was also covered by Marc Anthony in the 1990s, and was performed by Paul Simon on his Graceland Tour in 1987. Another interesting fact is that the lyrics were inspired by Simon's experiences growing up in Queens, where he witnessed the gang violence and social inequality that is depicted in the song.
Chords: G, C, D, Bb, F (Chorus: G, D, C, D)
Line by Line Meaning
I been sleeping on the roof of my building
I have been finding solace and tranquility by sleeping on the rooftop of my building.
It's cooler than the street
The rooftop offers a cooler and more comfortable environment compared to the busy street below.
I been watching the setting sun
I have been observing and admiring the beauty of the sun as it dips below the horizon.
As it bounces off the avenue
The sun's rays reflect off the buildings and streets, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
Turning into gold dust at my feet
The sunlight transforms into a sparkling golden dust at the ground, adding a touch of magic to the scene.
Carlos and Yolanda
Referring to two individuals named Carlos and Yolanda.
Dancing in the hallway
Carlos and Yolanda are joyfully dancing together in the narrow space of the hallway.
To an old melody
Their dance is accompanied by the nostalgic tune of an old song.
Spanish eyes and soft brown curls
Describing the physical attributes of someone, with beautiful, expressive eyes and curly brown hair.
My love, my love
Expressing affection and endearment towards the person being addressed.
Come to me
Inviting the person to come closer and be closer together.
I believe I'm in the power of st. Lazarus
Having faith in the influence and protection of St. Lazarus, an important figure in religious mythology.
And he holds me in his sight
Feeling watched over and cared for by St. Lazarus, as if under his attentive gaze.
I know that these jitterbug days I'm living
Being aware that the carefree and energetic days of dancing and having fun may not last forever.
Well they won't last for all of us
The lively and carefree times won't continue indefinitely for everyone.
But they'll last for a long summer night
However, these joyful and memorable moments will endure at least for the duration of a long summer evening.
I can feel the fire in her eyes
Sensing the intensity and passion in the gaze of a specific person.
Tonight, tonight
Emphasizing the immediacy and excitement of the present moment.
Under satin summer skies
Being together and experiencing these special moments under the beautiful skies of summer evenings.
Baby, baby, baby
Using an affectionate term to address someone.
Be my special one
Requesting for the person to be the one who holds a special place in their heart.
I seen you move in from across the street
Observing the person's recent relocation from a distance.
I like the way you walk
Finding attraction and appreciation for the person's unique way of walking.
I love the way you run
Expressing genuine affection for the person's running style.
No more baby talk
Requesting to engage in more mature and meaningful conversations instead of childish talk.
Papi, this ain't mayaguez
Addressing the person affectionately as 'Papi' and indicating that the current context is not related to Mayaguez, a city in Puerto Rico.
This is the island of Nueva York
Highlighting that the current location is New York and not a different island.
We'll go through the projects
Referring to navigating through the housing projects or subsidized housing areas.
Make out on the roof
Planning to spend intimate moments together on the rooftop.
Count the stars like silver studs
Taking pleasure in counting the stars in the night sky, comparing them to silver studs on a piece of jewelry.
On my motorcycle boots
The stars are viewed while standing on the rooftop with motorcycle boots on.
Wasting your time here man, they don't know what I do
Someone believes that others do not understand or appreciate their actions or occupation.
Watcha lookin at, little ghetto weed
A defensive and confrontational statement to someone observing or judging the artist. It suggests that they are underestimating the artist's abilities or worth.
Sucio, I feel like killin you
Using strong language to express anger and a desire to harm the person who is being disrespectful.
Banana colored light skinned spics
Using derogatory language to refer to people with light skin color who are of Hispanic descent.
You feel your peel so fine
Accusing the person of feeling superior or better than others of their own heritage.
I'm Hernandez, the umbrella man
Introducing oneself as Hernandez, the individual who sells umbrellas.
Your future's locked in mine
Assuring the person that their future is connected and dependent on the singer's actions or decisions.
The chaplains, and the golden guineas
Referring to specific ethnic groups or gangs with names like The Chaplains and The Golden Guineas.
The red wings and the crowns
Mentioning other gangs or groups called The Red Wings and The Crowns.
The mighty mau maus, those shines from Brooklyn
Acknowledging the presence and influence of powerful gangs or individuals from Brooklyn, known as The Mighty Mau Maus and The Shines.
They want to cut the vampires down, down
These gangs or groups have an intention or desire to eliminate the vampires or individuals associated with evil or darkness.
The savage skulls, the Fordham baldies
Referring to two more gangs or groups called The Savage Skulls and The Fordham Baldies.
They'll treat you like you're piss
Stating that these groups or gangs would disrespect or mistreat someone without regard for their dignity or worth.
From the heart of the barrio now my brother
Addressing the listener as 'brother' and identifying that the artist is speaking from the heart of the barrio, or a Spanish-speaking neighborhood.
We tell them mother fuckers suck on this
Using strong language to assert that the artist and their associates are not intimidated by the rival gangs.
I think we got something to talk about
Suggesting that there is an important matter or topic to discuss.
You're a coolie from the turf
Referring to the listener as a coolie, which can be a derogatory term for a person of non-European descent.
That's cool, but you don't get no respect around here unless you belong to a bopping gang...
Acknowledging that the listener may not receive respect or recognition in the neighborhood unless they are affiliated with a respected gang or group.
I mean, you either belong or you get hurt
Expressing the reality of the neighborhood, where one must be part of a specific group to avoid harm or mistreatment.
Or you can buy some protection from me
Implying that the listener has the option to pay for the singer's assistance or protection.
Cause if someone's got to die
Stating that if someone has to sacrifice their life or face consequences.
To pay for the shit they've done
To atone for or face the consequences of their actions.
I believe in an eye for an eye
Supporting the concept of retaliation or punishment that is equal to the harm inflicted.
Now what do you believe in Salvador Agron, Mr. Agron, Senor Agron
Directly addressing Salvador Agron, questioning his personal beliefs or principles.
I believe I'm in the power of St. Lazarus
Continuing to express faith in the influence and protection of St. Lazarus.
And he holds me in his sight
Reiterating the feeling of being watched over and cared for by St. Lazarus.
I believe he watches over us all
Asserting the belief that St. Lazarus provides guidance and protection to everyone.
Don't tear apart
Requesting to keep things harmonious and not destroy what they have.
This satin summer night
Referring to the current summer night as precious and delicate, symbolized by satin.
Did you bring me my money
Questioning whether the person has delivered the owed amount of money.
My cab fare, my new shoes
Referring to specific items or expenses that the person was expected to take care of.
I got expenses, you know
Highlighting that the singer has financial obligations and needs the money.
Where's my weekly dues
Inquiring about the money that was expected to be paid on a weekly basis.
I ain't giving you my fuckin money
Refusing to hand over the money as requested.
O ye mother fucker where's this hibarro from
Using offensive language to express frustration and confusion about the person's origins or background.
You go when I say, I call, you come
Asserting control and authority over the person, expecting them to follow instructions and be obedient.
You know it takes a strong man to survive
Acknowledging that strength and resilience are necessary attributes for survival.
It ain't no accident that you're still alive
Implying that the person's survival is not a result of luck or coincidence but rather their ability to navigate dangerous situations.
We stand for the neighborhood
Asserting loyalty and support for the local community or area.
He still lives with his mother
Referring to someone who still resides with their mother, implying a lack of independence or maturity.
But he sneaks down
Indicating that the person does not openly or publicly engage in certain activities.
A coolie in the shadow of the playground
Describing someone who discreetly participates in actions or behaviors, likening them to a laborer hidden in the shadows of a playground.
You want to fight for your people
Suggesting that the person desires to defend or support their community or ethnicity.
Don't you sal
Addressing the person by the name 'Sal' and questioning their determination to fight for their people.
Come here I want to show you something
Inviting the person to come closer in order to reveal or demonstrate something.
This is the cave of the vampires
Referring to a symbolic place associated with darkness or evil, where vampires are said to reside.
Count Dracula's castle
Mentioning a notable fictional location associated with vampires, Count Dracula's castle.
The very sight could turn a white man grey
Implying that the location is incredibly terrifying, capable of causing fear and distress even in a person who is not easily scared.
Made in the shade use my umbrella
Encouraging the person to seek refuge and protection under the artist's metaphorical 'umbrella' to avoid negative or harmful situations.
Black like the night we fly in
Describing the darkness of the night and the mysterious, clandestine activities that occur during that time.
That blade is all you need to keep the dogs away
Referring to a weapon or tool that is sufficient for deterring or defending against potential threats or enemies.
So you want to be a vampire man, that's cool
Acknowledging the person's interest or desire to be associated with vampires and suggesting that it is acceptable or intriguing.
We're always looking for young blood
Expressing the need or desire for new recruits or members to join the group.
Carlos apache collects the dues
Referring to someone named Carlos Apache who is responsible for collecting payments or fees.
So bring us something that we can use
Requesting the person to provide something of value or utility to the group.
Frenchie Cordero goes down to Hell's Kitchen
Referring to someone named Frenchie Cordero who travels to Hell's Kitchen, a neighborhood in New York City.
To sell the Irish some weed
Describing Frenchie Cordero's purpose in Hell's Kitchen, which is to sell marijuana to the Irish community.
Well this patty boy's mama was on the stoop
Referring to the mother of an Irish person who was situated on the stoop (steps) of a building or house.
Starts bitching about spics as a mongo breed
Describing how the Irish person's mother complained or expressed derogatory views regarding Hispanics, specifically referring to them as a derogatory term.
Now here comes her son, he looks like a ton
Referring to the arrival of the mother's son, who is described as being unattractive or overweight.
Of corned beef floating in beer, and he says...
Using metaphorical language to depict the Irish person as overweight or rotund, comparing them to corned beef floating in a glass of beer. The person then proceeds to insult and use offensive language.
Fucking Puerto Rican dope dealing punk
Using offensive and derogatory language to insult the artist, who identifies themself as a Puerto Rican involved in drug dealing.
Get your shit brown ass out of here, yeah
Directing a racist and offensive insult towards the artist, telling them to leave the area or go away.
Well these shanty town Irish beat his ass good
Describing how the Irish individuals from the shanty town strongly physically assaulted the person, causing significant harm.
And fractured his collar bone
Specifically highlighting one of the injuries sustained by the individual, a fractured collarbone.
Conio, all I was thinking, what home of the brave?
Conveying the singer's shock and disbelief at how the situation unfolded, considering the phrase 'home of the brave' that represents courage and unity in the United States.
It's a fucking war zone
Describing the environment as being like a war zone due to the violence and hostility witnessed.
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
Challenging the person to face them directly and stand up for themself, implying that they are brave and courageous.
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
Repeating the challenge to the person, emphasizing the need for courage or bravery.
If you got the balls then come on me te mano
Once again, encouraging the person to display bravery by facing them directly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEREK WALCOTT, PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind