Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. One of the most celebrated artists of the twentieth century, Simon's career has spanned six decades. Born in New Jersey, Simon grew up in the borough of Queens in New York City and developed an interest in rock music in his teens.

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."

That's Where I Belong
Paul Simon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Somewhere in a burst of glory
Sound becomes a song
I'm bound to tell a story
That's where I belong

When I see you smiling
When I hear you singing
Lavender and roses

Every ending a beginning
The way you turn
And catch me with your eye
Ay ay ay
That's where I belong

When I see you smiling
When I hear you singing
Lavender and roses
Every ending a beginning
That's the way it is
I don't know why
Ay ay ay
But that's where I belong

A spiny little island man
Plays a jingling banjo
He's walking down a dirt road
Carrying his radio
To a river where the water meets the sky

Ay ay ay
That's where I belong

Overall Meaning

The first stanza of the song "That's Where I Belong" by Paul Simon seems to suggest that his love for music and storytelling is what defines his sense of belonging. The first line "Somewhere in a burst of glory, Sound becomes a song" talks about how the creation of music is a magical moment where sound is transformed into something beautiful that can touch the hearts of many. The second line "I'm bound to tell a story, That's where I belong" highlights that Paul Simon’s calling is to tell stories through his music, and this is where he feels like he finally fits in.

The second stanza talks about the joy, beauty, and inspiration Paul Simon finds in the world around him, which motivates him to continue making music. He is inspired by the simple things in life like seeing someone smile, listening to someone sing, and even the smell of Lavender and Roses. He sees every ending as a beginning that leads to new opportunities, and this motivates him to find his happy place. The lines "The way you turn And catch me with your eye Ay ay ay That's where I belong" suggest that being part of human connections, love, and relationships is where he feels like he belongs.

The last stanza describes a little island man carrying his radio to a river where the water meets the sky. The imagery suggests that he is searching for the perfect place where he can find peace, inspiration, and belonging. The line "Ay ay ay That's where I belong" is repeated, suggesting that even though their journeys may be different, they all share a deep desire to find a place where they belong.

Line by Line Meaning

Somewhere in a burst of glory
Amidst the magnificence of this world

Sound becomes a song
Every melody has a unique tune associated with it

I'm bound to tell a story
I am obligated to recount my experiences

That's where I belong
Those experiences shape my sense of belonging

When I see you smiling
Your joy reflects on me

When I hear you singing
Your melody fills me with inspiration

Lavender and roses
The beauty of nature never goes unnoticed

Every ending a beginning
Closure leads to fresh new starts

The way you turn
Your movement is graceful

And catch me with your eye
Your gaze is captivating

Ay ay ay
Expressions of elation