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."
Ten Years
Paul Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are moving on a crowded street
Through various shades of people
In the summers harshest heat
A story in your eye
Well, speak until your minds at ease
I might as well be dreaming
Sunny days have burned a path
Across another season
A fortune rises to the sky
Ten years come and gone so fast
You are driving down an empty road
Beside a shady river
When the sky turns dark as stone
The trees begin to shiver
The grace of God is nigh
Ten years come and gone
And that flash has never been forgotten
Sunny days have burned a path
Across another season
How do the powerless survive
Ten years come and gone so fast
And if you look into your future life
Ten years from this question
Do you imagine a familiar light
Burning in the distance
The love that never died
Ten years come and gone so fast
I might as well be dreaming
Sunny days have burned a path
Across another season
Ten years come and gone so fast
Sunny days have burned a path
Paul Simon's song "Ten Years" reflects on the passage of time and the experiences that shape our lives. The lyrics suggest a sense of movement and observation, as the singer navigates a crowded street and encounters various people. The mention of "summers harshest heat" suggests a challenging environment, yet despite this, the singer carries a story within them, ready to be shared to put their mind at ease.
The repetition of the phrase "ten years come and gone so fast" emphasizes the swiftness with which time has passed. It conveys a feeling of disbelief, as if the years have slipped through the singer's fingers like a dream. The mention of "sunny days" burning a path across seasons could symbolize the fleeting nature of joyous moments and the lasting impact they leave on one's memory.
As the song progresses, the scene shifts to an empty road beside a shady river. The darkening sky and shivering trees suggest a moment of uncertainty and perhaps foreboding. However, the mention of "the grace of God" being near implies a sense of hope and divine protection amidst challenging times.
The lyrics allude to the powerlessness that individuals may feel in the face of changing circumstances. Surviving and enduring through difficult periods is a theme touched upon, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit. The repetition of the question "how do the powerless survive" emphasizes the need to find strength and resilience within oneself.
Looking towards the future, the lyrics invite self-reflection. Imagining ten years from now, the singer asks whether a familiar light, symbolizing enduring love or passion, will still be burning in the distance. This suggests a desire for continuity and stability in the face of the unknown.
In summary, Paul Simon's "Ten Years" explores the fleeting nature of time, the impact of experiences on our lives, and the various challenges faced along the way. It touches upon themes of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of love. Through introspection and observation, the song invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys through the passage of time.
Line by Line Meaning
You are moving on a crowded street
Amidst a bustling crowd, you navigate through the diverse individuals
Through various shades of people
Encountering people of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences
In the summers harshest heat
Enduring the intense heat of the summer season
A story in your eye
A tale reflected in your gaze, revealing emotions and experiences
Well, speak until your minds at ease
Express your thoughts freely until your inner peace is achieved
Ten years come and gone so fast
A decade has swiftly passed by
I might as well be dreaming
It feels surreal, almost like a dream
Sunny days have burned a path
Bright and joyful moments have left lasting imprints
Across another season
Throughout the passing of yet another period of time
A fortune rises to the sky
Unexpected success or opportunity emerges
You are driving down an empty road
Traveling down a deserted path
Beside a shady river
Alongside a tranquil, sheltered river
When the sky turns dark as stone
As the sky transforms into a pitch-black hue
The trees begin to shiver
The trees tremble in response
The grace of God is nigh
Divine assistance or guidance is close at hand
And that flash has never been forgotten
A significant moment or experience has remained etched in memory
How do the powerless survive
In the face of adversity, how do those without influence persevere?
And if you look into your future life
When you contemplate your life ahead
Ten years from this question
A decade after pondering this query
Do you imagine a familiar light
Can you envision a comforting and recognizable glow
Burning in the distance
Radiating in the far-off horizon
The love that never died
The enduring affection that remains unwavering
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@omanasee
i still can't get over the fact that this song isn't found on any greatest hits CD's or anything. such a great Paul Simon song and sadly barely anyone knows that it even exists.
@williammartin3782
Yyiiy8u7iy6
@ceecee9414
I guess I wasn't watching Oprah at the time - but this song I love soooooo much and find myself singing it often. I love your music Paul Simon - fills my soul.
@minouche5702
Not the only one
@TomiAdewoleAdetom
Such an ethereal voice. I fondly recall listening to this in my cd player in college as I walked to class and then home....ten years ago.
@foundtheirhome
So beautiful. Should have been on an album!
@joninfinity
Paul Simon has always been one of my favorites. His body of work is simply incredible. Lyrics and music, all composed and arranged by him, wow... Most artists today don't do that, or, can't. Paul Simon is the real deal.
@shakywonder
a song much too good to not be on his biggest and best HITS list - just listen to the words and think of your own life....not a song for top 40 radio but still GREAT
@pppmanly
I so agree. I so love this song which Paul Simon wrote and performed specifically as the theme for the 10th Anniversary season (1996 - 1997) of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" - the number one talk show in the U.S. For years, this song played in my head, and I didn't find a copy of it until now. Love it!
@Cmar102
pppmanly 1995-1996 year was 10 years of her talk show. 1996-1997 year Patti LaBelle did ‘Get with the program’ and remix for 1997-1998 year.