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."
Take Me to the Mardi Gras
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the people sing and play
Where the dancing is elite
And there's music in the street
Both night and day
Hurry take me to the Mardi Gras
In the city of my dreams
You can wear your summer clothes
In the New Orleans
And I will lay my burden down
Rest my head upon that shore
And when I wear that starry crown
I won't be wanting anymore
Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras
Let the music wash your soul (let it wash your soul)
You can mingle in the street
You can jingle to the beat
Of Jelly Roll
Toomba, toomba, toomba, Mardi Gras
Toomba, toomba, toomba, hey
Hey
The song Take Me to the Mardi Gras by Paul Simon is about a desire to escape and experience the joyous atmosphere of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The song starts with an invitation to take the listener to the Mardi Gras, where the people sing and play and the dancing is elite, both day and night. The chorus repeats this invitation with a sense of urgency, as the singer wants to hurry to the city of their dreams, where one can "legalize your lows" and wear summer clothes.
The second verse speaks of the ability to lay one's burdens down and rest, with the imagery of resting one's head upon the shore. The singer dreams of wearing a "starry crown" and not wanting for anything. The final verse encourages the listener to let the music of the Mardi Gras wash their soul and to join in the celebration in the streets, jingling to the beat of Jelly Roll.
Throughout the song, Paul Simon captures the excitement and energy of Mardi Gras, inviting the listener to escape their daily troubles and embrace the joyful celebration. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the sights and sounds of the festival, with music in the streets, dancing, and the freedom to express oneself.
Overall, the song Take Me to the Mardi Gras by Paul Simon is a celebration of the carefree spirit and joyous energy of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with lyrics that encourage listeners to escape from their burdens and join in the celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
C'mon take me to the Mardi Gras
Let's go to the Mardi Gras
Where the people sing and play
Where the locals are always singing and playing music
Where the dancing is elite
Where the dancing is top-notch
And there's music in the street
And there's always music playing in the streets
Both night and day
All day and night long
Hurry take me to the Mardi Gras
Quickly take me to the Mardi Gras
In the city of my dreams
In the city I've always dreamed of visiting
You can legalize your lows
You can be yourself and let loose without judgement
You can wear your summer clothes
You can dress comfortably in light clothing
In the New Orleans
In the city of New Orleans
And I will lay my burden down
I'll finally be able to relax and let go of my worries
Rest my head upon that shore
And rest my head on the beach
And when I wear that starry crown
And when I feel like royalty
I won't be wanting anymore
I will have everything I need at the Mardi Gras
Take your burdens to the Mardi Gras
Bring your problems to the Mardi Gras
Let the music wash your soul (let it wash your soul)
Allow the music to cleanse your soul
You can mingle in the street
You can socialize in the street
You can jingle to the beat
And dance to the rhythm of the music
Of Jelly Roll
Played by the famous Jelly Roll Morton
Toomba, toomba, toomba, Mardi Gras
Toomba, toomba, toomba--it's the Mardi Gras!
Toomba, toomba, toomba, hey
Toomba, toomba, toomba--hey!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wireless6
I got married the year this album was released, sadly my dear wife died last year (2021) after 48 years married. This track was always her favourite and I shed a tear whenever I hear it.
@RickLipinski
Love
@oppoandroidf1174
God Bless You,Sir..
48 years of marriage was a great achievement...May your wife rest in heavenly peace,seeing at you n waiting for you...😔😔🙏🙏
@jcunning17
My condolences. My wife of almost 32 years passed last year. I understand your grief.
@gcm323
How wonderful that you shared such a treasured and lasting relationship over time remembered so fondly by this tune - until you are reunited once again.
@jackieringersma7003
🫂
@nancykelly9393
Dear Paul, if you ever happen to look at these comments, please know that you are loved, we love you, I love you. In my book you are the best songwriter of our generation. By far. Album after album, the gifts you have given. You gave it all. Thank you. Bless you, I hope you are so happy.
@babyfir77
Nancy, I hope Paul Simon would read your comments, they are very nice and endearing!
@RickLipinski
Yep
@helenemichell561
Certainly a truly great songwriter - in fact, I would say more of a poet. His work will certainly live on!