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."
Soft Parachutes
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fourth of July
Villages burning
Returning
The bodies all laid in a line
Like soft parachutes
Last year as a senior
I had me a girlfriend
We used to get high
Now I am flyin
Down some Vietnam highway
Don't ask me the reason
God only knows why
Soft parachutes
Fourth of July
Villages burning
Returning
The bodies all laid in a line
Like soft parachutes
The lyrics of Paul Simon's song Soft Parachutes are deeply poignant and provide a commentary on the aftermath of a war that has affected so many lives. The opening line, "Soft parachutes, Fourth of July", sets the scene for a war-torn backdrop where villages are burning, and bodies are laid in a line like soft parachutes. The use of "soft" to describe both the parachutes and the bodies creates a sense of fragility and innocence being lost, and this image of soft parachutes falling from the sky, slowly drifting down, offers a stark contrast to the violence that comes with war.
The second stanza provides a glimpse into the personal consequences of war. The singer speaks of his past life and love, "Last year as a senior in Emerson High school I had me a girlfriend, we used to get high." The use of past tense to describe this relationship suggests that it has ended, and the remainder of the stanza details how the singer is now in Vietnam, "flying down some Vietnam highway". The reference to the unknown reason why he is there is incredibly powerful and suggests how many soldiers at the time may have felt. It also reflects the confusion and anguish surrounding the Vietnam War and its lack of a clear purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Soft parachutes
The fallen bodies of soldiers in Vietnam resemble soft parachutes in their lifelessness and helplessness.
Fourth of July
The American holiday of Independence Day, which celebrates separation from British rule, highlights the irony of the US military's presence in Vietnam.
Villages burning
The destruction and loss of life caused by the war, particularly in Vietnamese villages targeted by American military operations.
Returning
Acknowledgement of the returning soldiers, often traumatized by their wartime experiences, and the difficult reintegration process into civilian life.
The bodies all laid in a line
The stark image of the numerous soldiers who lost their lives in the war, lined up together in death.
Like soft parachutes
Reiterating the helplessness and vulnerability of the dead soldiers, who were once vibrant and full of life.
Last year as a senior
The singer's reminiscence on a past time, emphasizing the youthful innocence that was lost in the wake of the Vietnam War.
In Emerson High school
The specific setting of the artist's memories adds a personal touch to the story being told.
I had me a girlfriend
The artist had a romantic partner, indicating a sense of normalcy and stability before the disruptions of the war.
We used to get high
Drug use was a common form of escapism and rebellion among young people during the time.
Now I am flyin
The singer is now a soldier fighting in Vietnam, using the plane imagery to convey the feeling of being propelled uncontrollably towards an uncertain fate.
Down some Vietnam highway
A metaphor for the unpredictable and dangerous journey of war, emphasizing the difficulty in navigating the unfamiliar terrain and enemies.
Don't ask me the reason
The singer cannot articulate a clear reason for his involvement in the war, suggesting the lack of clear purpose or justification for the US military intervention in Vietnam.
God only knows why
A resignation to the senselessness of the war and the futility of trying to find an answer or explanation.
Contributed by Daniel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Energy Practitioner
Magnificent! Amazing talent!
Kevin Morgan
Brilliant song, brilliant movie- brilliant video thank you so much for posting this. This song hits me harder than my partner she's from Saigon I don't know why I Canadian.
Edith Kudlovic
I love this film, but I love something from Paul Simon
Eric Melanson
Very nice song, Thank you for the Posting soundofsimon.
nitebyrd44
This song is from his movie, One Trick Pony.
Leonard Dixon
The other people all look familiar - actors, actresses, musicians.
Gary Woollard
Richard Tee Eric gale sadly no longer with us R I P.
jaime lacera acosta
great
Ethan Doran
Half the video is people just turning their heads. :/