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."
tenderness
Paul Simon Lyrics
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What can I do
Much of what you say is true
I know you see through me
But there's no tenderness
Beneath your honesty
Right and wrong
Never helped us get along
You say you care for me
But there's no tenderness
Beneath your honesty
You and me were such good friends
What's your hurry?
You and me could make amends
I'm not worried
I'm not worried
Honesty
Honesty
It's such a waste of energy
No you don't have to lie to me
Just give me some tenderness
Beneath your honesty
You don't have to lie to me
Just give me some tenderness
In "Tenderness," Paul Simon sings about the great divide that exists between people who are honest with each other and those who hold back. The singer is aware that the person he is addressing is honest with him, but he feels there is "no tenderness beneath" that honesty. Simon is asking the person to add some tenderness to their honesty, which he prefers to lies. He believes that while honesty may be important, it is often unproductive without tenderness. Despite the singer's disappointment, he believes that their friendship can be salvaged, and there is hope for reconciliation.
In the first two lines, Simon appears resigned to the fact that his friend is always going to be honest with him, no matter what. The singer gets a sense of transparency from his friend where there's nothing to hide, but he also realizes that there's no tenderness that accompanies that honesty. The song's repetition of the phrase "no tenderness beneath your honesty" emphasizes that idea. Then Simon goes on to say that right and wrong, which should be guiding them, tend not to help in their relationship.
The song speaks to the idea that honesty alone isn't always the best policy. Sometimes, people need to give others some tenderness and empathy, even if it means straying from the truth a bit. Relationships cannot be built on purely honest foundations, and adding some kindness to the mix is a crucial component of friendship. Overall, the song encourages people to treat their friends with honesty and tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I do
The singer is acknowledging a problem and expressing their readiness to take steps to solve it.
Much of what you say is true
The singer recognizes that the other person's criticisms are valid and truthful.
I know you see through me
The singer acknowledges that the other person can see through their facades and knows the truth about them.
But there's no tenderness
Despite the other person's honesty, they lack warmth, kindness, and affection, which makes the artist feel uncared for.
Beneath your honesty
The artist is emphasizing the importance of emotional intimacy and closeness in addition to honesty.
Right and wrong
The singer reflects on how black-and-white thinking and rigid moral codes can be obstacles to interpersonal relationships.
Never helped us get along
The singer recognizes that intellectual debates and arguments over 'right' and 'wrong' didn't lead to a resolution of their conflict with the other person.
You say you care for me
The artist acknowledges that the other person claims to have positive feelings towards them.
But there's no tenderness
Despite the other person's statements about their feelings, the artist feels emotionally unfulfilled and deprived of affection.
You and me were such good friends
The artist laments the loss of their friendship with the other person, implying that their argument has driven them apart and that this is regrettable.
What's your hurry?
The singer wonders why the other person can't slow down and take the time to work through their issues and rebuild their relationship.
You and me could make amends
The artist suggests that it's possible for them to reconcile and repair their friendship if they put effort into it.
I'm not worried
The singer is expressing their confidence and faith that they and the other person can overcome their difficulties and repair their relationship.
Honesty
The singer recognizes the value of honesty and truthfulness in relationships.
It's such a waste of energy
The singer suggests that overemphasis on honesty to the exclusion of emotional connection is inefficient and unproductive.
No you don't have to lie to me
The artist realizes that the other person doesn't need to lie to them, and that being kind and affectionate is a viable alternative to brutal honesty.
Just give me some tenderness
The artist is expressing their longing for emotional closeness, warmth, and connection, and asking the other person to provide this in addition to honesty.
Beneath your honesty
The singer is emphasizing that honesty is necessary but insufficient in developing and maintaining relationships.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind