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."
Stranger To Stranger
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If we met for the first time
This time
Could you imagine us
Falling in love again
Words and melody
So the old story goes
Fall from summer trees
I can't wait to see you walk across my doorway
I cannot be held accountable for the things I do or say
I'm just jittery
I'm just jittery
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
It's just a way of dealing
Words and melodies
Easy harmony
Old-time remedies
All in good time
Although most of the time
It's just hard working
The same piece of clay
Day after day
Year after year
Certain melodies tear your heart apart
Reconstruction is a lonesome art
But I love to watch you walk across my doorway
I cannot be held accountable for the things I do or say
I'm just jittery
I'm just jittery
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
Just a way of dealing with my joy
Words and melody
Stranger to stranger
If we met for the first time
This time
Could you imagine us
Falling in love again
Still believing
That love endures
All the carnage
And the useless detours
Oh I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you,
I love you, love you, love you ...
Words and melody
Easy harmony
Words and melody
In the lyrics of "Stranger to Stranger," Paul Simon contemplates the idea of meeting someone for the first time and falling in love all over again. He reflects on the power of words and melody, describing them as the old story that falls from summer trees when the wind blows. The song conveys a sense of anticipation as he eagerly waits for this person to walk through his doorway. While expressing his love and excitement, he also acknowledges that he may not always be accountable for his actions or words when consumed by this overwhelming joy.
Simon admits to feeling jittery, using it as a coping mechanism for his intense happiness. He sees these jitters as just a way of dealing with his overwhelming emotions. The song suggests that despite the challenges and monotony of day-to-day life, certain melodies have the ability to tear the heart apart, but can also serve as a source of comfort and healing. Simon finds solace in watching this person walk across his doorway, as their presence brings him immense joy. He reminds us that love endures even amidst the difficulties and detours of life.
The lyrics of "Stranger to Stranger" invite listeners to reflect on the power of words, melody, and the role they play in relationships. It explores the thrill of experiencing love and the ways in which it can both uplift and challenge us.
Line by Line Meaning
Stranger to stranger
Unfamiliar with each other
If we met for the first time
In a hypothetical scenario where we haven't met before
This time
In this particular moment
Could you imagine us
Can you envision
Falling in love again
Developing romantic feelings once more
Words and melody
Lyrics and music
So the old story goes
As tradition dictates
Fall from summer trees
Dying leaves dropping from trees in autumn
When the wind blows
Propelled by the wind
I can't wait to see you walk across my doorway
Eagerly anticipating your arrival
I cannot be held accountable for the things I do or say
I shouldn't be held responsible for my actions or words
I'm just jittery
Feeling nervous or anxious
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
A coping mechanism for managing my happiness
Words and melodies
Lyrics and tunes
Easy harmony
Smooth synchronization
Old-time remedies
Traditional solutions
All in good time
Everything will happen at the appropriate moment
Although most of the time
Despite the majority of occasions
It's just hard working
It's difficult toil
The same piece of clay
Repeatedly working with the same material
Day after day
Repeatedly, every day
Year after year
Continuously, every year
Certain melodies tear your heart apart
Specific tunes evoke intense emotions
Reconstruction is a lonesome art
The process of rebuilding oneself is isolating
But I love to watch you walk across my doorway
I take pleasure in observing your entrance
I'm just jittery
I feel anxious
It's just a way of dealing with my joy
A coping mechanism for managing my happiness
Just a way of dealing with my joy
A method for handling my happiness
Words and melody
Lyrics and music
Stranger to stranger
Two unfamiliar individuals
If we met for the first time
In a hypothetical scenario where we haven't met before
This time
In this particular moment
Could you imagine us
Can you envision
Falling in love again
Developing romantic feelings once more
Still believing
Continuing to have faith
That love endures
That love can withstand
All the carnage
All the destruction
And the useless detours
And the pointless deviations
Oh I love you, I love you, I love you
Expressing deep affection multiple times
Words and melody
Lyrics and music
Easy harmony
Smooth synchronization
Words and melody
Lyrics and music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind