Paul Simon Talks About Art Garfunkel | Letterman
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- Опубліковано 31 січ 2022
- Paul Simon talks about songs he's working on and his friendship with Art Garfunkel. (Air date: 5/20/1982)
#PaulSimon #Letterman #ArtGarfunkel
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i miss the days of the 'slow interview' where the guest is allowed to go in depth in their answers . this interview was a real treat in that respect .
I think podcasts are taking on this role
@@skendal I was just thinking that. How weird is it when Letterman lets the guest answer a question in more than 10 seconds?
That’s why there’s podcasts now.
Indeed, If This were Jimmy Fallon's show, he would ask one silly humanizing generic question with a 15 second answer, then play some dumb game to see whether he or Paul Simon is the first one to get eggs broken over their head.
You guys are right about podcasts, but you should be able to turn on your damned TV and get a quality interview with a legend.
@@garycitro1674 No, Jimmy Fallen asks a question, then goes on and answers it himself. The guest cant get one word in!
Personally, I feel that Paul Simon is one of the greatest lyric writer of the 20th Century!!
He is a pretty good fingerstyle guitarist as well !
...and in comes Townes van Zandt
His early stuff was good, but he really lost it after they broke up. Me and Julio???? For consistent great lyrics, I don't think anyone beats Billy Joel. He seldom depends on a chorus, always tells a complete story, and matches the lyrical cadence to the melody with exquisite timing. Listen to all of his songs. They are poetry.
Personally I think you’re right!
Me too
Simon and Garfunkel created some of the best music that made up the soundtrack of my young life.
As well as the soundtrack to the Graduate…😉
I was born in '82, and I love their music
@@taand4725 it’s such a shame that they couldn’t keep doing music together. Simon is a musical genius and Garfunkel has the voice of an angel.
Some great Americana
Yes they did
You can tell Dave has a ton of respect for Paul. Paul seems to be quite a tender soul.
Paul and Art, both musical genius. Best harmonies
Of course, I agree with you. I still remember “Gone at last” with Phobe Snow as one of my teenage favs.
I actually learned something about artists in this interview. Letterman was a good host and Simon was a great guest. What a pleasure.
Yes a great interview
Oh, yes, the snobbery.
Oh how it's oozing in this interview.
Even the fans back then were massive snobs.
Even the Beatles fans, all ruthless snobs.
They thought they didn't have to socialise, EVER.
They thought they could keep all this music to themselves and scare others away.
All they did was RUIN their own social scene.
The artist got a delusional state of mind while the fans destroyed the social structure of society.
Those horrible fans really speed up the process and the next generation wanted desperately to have nothing to do with Simon or Garfunkel.
What?
@@Gma7788 Careful, brain matter may be oozing...
Paul was a little hesitant at the beginning, but Letterman got he so relaxed that Paul was getting laughs etc.
These precious, candid recordings of Paul Simon are such a treasure.
❤
The world is better with Paul Simon in it.
That was a way more intelligent conversation than Letterman is used to.
He's so adorable
For me Simon is the best songwriter ever . His melodies, lyrics and arrangements played by the best studio cats is such a joy since decades and decades
Yes such great melodies
Hello kim
how are you doing?
Thanks for your love, support and for being an amazing fan! ❤️
It's nice meeting you here
Second that
Hmm, Lennon and Mcartney were pretty good too
Joni Mitchell.
Wherever he goes...whatever he writes...old or new...
Paul Simon's music stands the test of time...
Paul Simon is so intelligent and his humor is subtle, hidden behind feigned nervousness. In reality if you watch enough interviews you see he is a very humorous man. Love this interview, I watched it on Letterman when I heard he was going to be on the show back then he did not do a whole lot of interviews.
I find him incredibly odd and awkward. This was painful to get through. I felt sorry for Dave. Haha
@@Treviso100 definitely
@@Treviso100 I disagree. He's a peculiar man, but not the most peculiar one ahah
I agree with Kendo that he ends up coming off as a bit humorous.
Why do you suggest that Paul Simon is feigning nervousness here? I think he was very much out of his element here and showed genuine nervousness from the outset of this interview. He is clearly physically uncomfortable and looks like he would rather eat glass than be on that set.
@@curtispeters8296 Indeed, I don't believe he was feigning nervousness, even though he was more than used to these interviews.
Anyway, I do think he comes off as funny sometimes. His nervousness is almost part of the charm.
I saw Art Garfunkel in a small venue in Orlando a few years ago. He mentioned the first time he met Paul in a candy store where he would shake the Good N Plenty candy boxeds looking for the one with the most candies. These guys were a treasure.
I bet if you shook a Good N' Plenty box in the dark they both would instantly identify the sound and smile.
In the end, this is how history will remember both of them. History will always, and forever, link Simon and Garfunkel together. It is what it is.
The next time you are about to say or type 'it is what it is', remember you can also say nothing and it will convey the same thing....nothing.
@@deandeck Just trying to help this guy tighten up his language game.
@@SONOFABITCH same comment goes for you!
"it is what is is":
*used to say that a situation cannot be changed and must be accepted*
The fact that Simon will always be linked to Garfunkel in our subconscious, cannot be changed, so the statement is actually valid. That little figure of speech serves to illustrate that point.
Saying nothing, on the other hand, is used for the completely opposite intention of conveying absolutely nothing.
"It is what it is" conveys an inevitability to change things, which is, a lot more than simply "nothing".
Now, what kind of self-righteous know-it-all goes around telling others how to express themselves??
Just trying to help loosen up your ego and drop that pedantic game.
@@inmundo6927
It's an annoying phrase to me because it never conveys any additional meaning, and your defense of it is unconvincing.
@@SONOFABITCH What part of it isn't convincing to you? The part that doesn't equate a "restatement" with "nothing"?
They are contradictory notions. What is clearly unconvincing is to say they "are the same thing", which very clearly they aren't.
And who says a given figure of speech can only be used to "add" additional meaning?
It is a matter of semantics, and as per the meaning, what it does add is: reaffirmation, repetition, reiteration, emphasis. In other words, it is a restatement of what has already been stated. A colorful reinforcement.
You dont like it? Well, here's what you can do, and this is the key part, since you mentioned it was annoying *to you* : when *you* talk, or write, *you* chose *your own* way of expressing *yourself* . Simple enough.
The audience maybe didn't realise they were in the company of greatness in Paul Simon.
I love his guitar playing throughout all his work.
What really stands out is how totally unique both Simon and Garfunkel both were, which reflects how they were able to rise up from seemingly nowhere to capture the whole world's attention. Smooth foot work by Paul Simon, deftly getting Dave, who is normally combative and casually disrespectful, to level-zero. Simon being a shorter guy has learned his game well. You can watch him masterfully bring himself constantly back to humility and a very slow tempo, keeping Dave in check and not allowing him to get an edge at all. Gotta love his dry and intelligent wit.
That is a solid analysis. I would add Dave Letterman, not yet four months into his new talk show, minded his manners more with A-listers, and consequently did some good interviews.
Also, occasionally, very occasionally, a guest would come along who Dave had genuine respect for, and this would seem to be one of those occasions.
Yes so true
Wow. Nice post. I love Letterman. Like your description, too- "combative and casually disrespectful". I always referred to him as the ultimate smartass, which played well for me when he was interviewing a celebrity who came off as too narcissistic, which was most of 'em. But I like Simon, so I didn't much care for Letterman's combative and casually disrespectful schtick during the whole moving of the chair thing. Heh-heh. That is a fine description.
@@joeseddit I think they would have broadly worked out beforehand how the discussion would go, including the chair moving thing.
Rare to see a good interview with Paul Simon, who is so reticent. His music, of course, is nothing short of brilliant.
His height is nothing short of short
@@shaunconway740 🥱🥱🥱🥱
I love Paul. He is kind, generous, a genius and a human being. I believe he and Art are like family, they love each other but spending too much time together drives them crazy.💕❤️♥️
Oh maybe not “like Family” More like gum stuck to the bottom of Paul Simons shoe like he says today
@@marjoriemargel1567 You know the kind of bro that gets all the attentions and is kind of spoiled but you grew up together. I am sure Art knows a lot of Paul’s secrets that he could have spilled over the years to make money off of it but didn’t. He never sued him or wreck his home or ride or tried to sleep with his wife. He is just a little insensitive at times to Paul.😉♥️💕💕❤️🙏
Garfunkel is very unlikable
I think Paul is like, I'm the talent and carried you. See ya!
@Christie Nelson Yes, Paul is a kind and generous wife beater.
Paul Simon and Simon & Garfunkel are the soundtracks of my life. Simon's voice and talent soothe my soul and bring so much joy. I listen endlessly.
I love Paul Simon he walked by me in a restaurant I was workin at my crew told me I was hallucinating I only realized it was him after he’d gone, I cried
Probably best that you didn’t bug him - I’ve heard that he doesn’t particularly like to chat with strangers and fans, unfortunately- You really did the right thing to just leave him alone
Paul Simon is not a nice guy
@@davidtaylor111 He has a Napoleonic complex.
@@bernardbrenner6088 True the Napoleanic wars with wifey Edie Brickel was very Bohemian of them...
@@bernardbrenner6088 yawn….
Gotta love how candid Paul Simon is here and that the artist is so clearly on display here.
Yes Paul was in a very "candid" mood here LOL
Yes a fine artist
Thank you Dave for making Paul comfortable because it because it became a great interview
Wow, have been listening to Simon and Garfunkel for decades. Saw Art in concert once (solo); great performance but didn't interact with the audience at all. Had never seen any interviews with Paul Simon; this interview was fabulous. What an eccentric, brilliant artist, also honest and somewhat vulnerable. There are no real song writers any more; what a pity.
I like this interview. I find him honest.
Except for the John Lennon story. That's not how John and Paul met. Paul never had a band
I find him baked. NTTAWWT.
@@johnurban7333 I was thinking the same thing when I heard him say that. Thanks for pointing it out.
@@johnurban7333 The entire premise is strange. Simon and Lennon get together and Simon tells how he met Garfunkel as Lennon explains how he met McCartney. Except everyone one in the world already knew how Simon and Garfunkel and Lennon and McCartney met. Why would this conversation even occur?
@@jeffryphillipsburns wouldnt you like to hear the story from the ACTUAL source? Is there a problem with that? Actually hearing it from the guy who was there?? I would like to know that if I had dinner with Lennon for sure, even if I had read all about it. Like "how exactly was it".. whatever.
Paul Simon raps his stuff ... and compliments the house band. Now THAT is class.
I was 10 years old and granted a tv for my room by my parents (perhaps b/c my only brother had died and they didn't want me to be lonely)... but I stayed up late nearly every night to watch Dave's show. It really had a huge impact on me. Here I see another example of someone that produces magnificent art, and at the same time...
My condolences for the loss of your brother.
same here. remember the dr. ruth recomending a cucumber incident? i woke my mom and dad laughing out loud that night.
I know what you mean. I felt that way about the Charlie Rose Show. His interviews were so personal and isolated. How quiet it was and no audience and the background all black ... I really miss that show.
So sorry for your loss! I agree with you totally!
Sad but nice story. I can relate. TV was important in a lot of our lives, and radio. Reminds me of the song:
I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio
Such a humble and high integrity person. Wow!
I saw him in concert in SC four or five years ago where there were no theatrics or props, just him in blue jeans with his guitar, his musicians and his backup singers on stage when they were needed and it was wonderful!!
Lucky you!
is he still performing ? he is up there in age ....80 ? maybe?
A pleasure watching this clip...back in the Letterman days.
One of the best writer singers ever❤️
The very best From America to The Boy In The Bubble
You may say that again.
That he is....exquisite song writer. Profound.
Nightmare to work with though, I've heard.
Uhhm I believe the term is called singer - songwriter bud.
He is so quiet, sweet and cerebral. Loved his turn in "Annie Hall."
"Let's go back to my place and get mellow"?
I was trying to remember which movie I had seen him in, thank you!
That was one of the best interviews with Paul. Too bad the songs were cut out.
Yes it was
Do we have to listen to your failed attempts to be social, once again?
Surely after all these decades you realise it's YOU that's the problem.
Keep behaving like this and society will keep excluding you.
First concert I saw, S&G, Yale Bowl 1967. So simple and beautiful. Two guys on a stage playing and singing.
Great interview. He let the guest talk instead of constant interruptions.
Pure class y’all want a definition of class this is it
bridge over troubled waters by Garfunkel is one of those emotional songs that gets in your soul and bring tear's to your eye's , very powerful song
It’s kind of weird but when he talks about Art there is an undercurrent of admiration.
Yeah, what a weirdo No wait. Not weird, and I bet it was mutual
is it weird to admire the guy who played with you, whose talent you got to appreciate on a daily basis for over 10 years??
I’m happy to see this… it changed my opinion of Paul Simon. It explains a lot. Sometimes when they sing together, you can see a little resentment of Art from Paul. But I think that’s what he meant when he said he “gave” Bridge over Troubled Water to Art. He literally let go of the need to sing the song if they were singing it together.
I’ve never seen Paul Simon speaking. What a really cool guy!
What a treasure that man is
Very few people I'm in awe of, even less with musicians, but something makes me feel he's almost immortal.
He seems like a pretty nice guy. I like thoughtful people.
* I realise this is from 1982 - please don't tell me he turned out to be a puppy eating right wing loonytune - I daren't google it.
He’s like a humble intellectual.
Art sounds like my kinda guy! He does his own thing! Great interview.
A musical genius who kept on giving .
Yes indeed
A fascinating interview. Paul Simon is so cerebral. He is certainly one of the geniuses of popular music! ( love his Queens NY accent. sounds like home)
What's so awesome about this is regardless of how much Paul and Art have fought and disagreed over the decades, to the point they did solo albums and refused to work together, it's clear they still truly love each other like the best brothers ever. I could only dream of having best friends like that.
Genius pure and simple. Hugely articulate compared to so many other singer/songwriters. A stunning interview.
Does he talk about his Kodakrome?
Yes such a genius
A fine example of what destroyed simon and Garfunkel's careers.
You're not helping them.
Deal with your social disaster problem.
It's YOU the audience that caused all the downfall.
Dreyn, just what are you on about?
@@MissyQ12345 isn't it obvious? 😄🤦♂️
For all of the supposed backstages craziness Paul has always been a gentleman while discussing Art.
"One Trick Pony" was very good! Watched it upon theatrical release, as a kid. Not a blockbuster, but a nice little movie.
Wow Paul,I'm 63 and watching this. I saw you live 3 times in So cal. I'm back in South Africa. I'll always be a huge fan. You rock dude!
One of the most creative writers of the century, like Dylan, a national treasure. And Arts voice was incomparable, he could have sang opera. Love them both.
Dylan's no treasure, he was average, Simon of course is
@@matthewhunter6421 I liked both, Dylan has some impressive work.
this is better than anything I've seen on TV for a long time
Paul Simon was a little before and during my time. I was never a follower. In 2018 on his final tour I got to see him perform. I had no expectations but I was amazed at what a conductor he was. He was in full control of every note that was played or sung on stage. At that level of perfection he has to be a task master. I became a fan that night. Thank you Paul Simon for your hard work and talent.
Paul Simon is still little
@taand..... that is good funny right there.
Missed that one. It's my favorite Simon intervie w. He was fun, cool and a regular guy.
What a lovely man....
Hello En How are you doing it's nice meeting you here..
What a wonderful interview. Great stories about Garfunkel and John Lennon.
Yes a great interview
... and Dave who?
See, you really are terrible.
You just keep on treating people as if they don't exist.
This is THE number one problem with Paul Simon fans.
Nobody likes you, so you dismiss everyone.
That makes everyone hate you even more.
That results in NO sales and that causes Paul to doubt himself.
The general public WINS 🏆 👌 🙌 👏 😎
@@ProgRockDan1 They're alluding to the fact that Paul's fans are socially terrible and that has been a disaster for Paul himself.
Ironically Paul Simon was born on the same day as the Beatles' legendary road manager Neil Aspinall, October 13, 1941.
how is that ironic?
He's very gracious here.
Separating the quality of work from its popularity, that’s a great point. What an icon, love Paul Simon. Sorry he and Art couldn’t work it out.
Sometimes I don't understand how Paul Simon writes the way that he does, and then I hear him talk.
I know what you mean. His writing is second to Bob Dylan for me....his words, his poetry. The talk, ok, let's go there.
I agree. I believe that true artists express themselves well through their artistry, but aren’t the most gifted conversationalists.
@@nomiddlenamenmn427 no u
Late in the Evening is my favorite Simon song.
"You can call me Al" was a stepping stone for me in learning English. I practiced until I could sing it over the song, at the same tempo. Very good exercice to practice pronunciation.
@Ed Waterfield I'd never seen that! This is great. The glass of water🤣
How songs affect people is amazing, they have a life of their own.
Such a great interview. They would play in SF North Beach club now and then.
I lived near The Grace Cathedral. Art sometimes sat on a bench in the small park there and write....Was a fan of Simon and Garfunkel. Special to see ART.
This is the first time I saw David freaked out. Paul was at ease with songs and music. David was at ease with frivolous talks and jokes. When Paul invited David to sing a song with him, Paul was telling David 'Come to my world'. David's reply was 'No, I am comfortable here'. This was a very interesting interview. Paul was uneasy and David in his elements in the beginning and during; the reverse happened near the end. I'll bet Paul came out of the interview with a great feeling of satisfaction.
Look at the talent on this set. Unreal
yeah, there's Paul Simon...and some other guy.
Simon and Garfunkel GREAT American music and GREAT writers of music and performers. One of the greatest of all time groups in American history. I remember when THE GRADUATE came out, and all those songs, everyone heard for the first time, was just a huge hit! This group is a LEGEND. Paul does a great interview.
Letterman is SUCH a good interviewer. He has just the right touch to get celebrities to talk about uncomfortable things. He's both a nice guy and a kid with a bug in a jar.
Who is this Letterman of whom you speak?
Craig Russell - you're joking right? I think he is cardboard and lacks the ability to relax his guest.
@@robertgeorgemiller278 Who wants guests relaxed?
@@craigrussell3062 anyone who wants candid conversation. I think you’re confusing a talk show host with a trial lawyer.
@@east5871 And I think you're confusing David Letterman with a regular talk show host. The fact that we're here talking about a 40 year old interview shows that Dave's got something that most people don't have, whether you approve of it or not.
The story about Garfunkel and the candy boxes is great. That’s one weird kid.
God I wish I could have met Paul Simon.... I love his music so much it hurts. He's the only male artist that has caused that feeling. It actually hurts to look at him (sort of in a good way) because I know I'll never get to tell him what his music has meant for me in my life..... It's a lot like love actually. The feeling of knowing you'll never see your girlfriend again when you didn't want to break up. It's very similar to that feeling except a bit more positive obviously. But just as big a feeling of disembodied unrequited love........ ❤️
Whoah....
I just realised.... That's why nutters stalk or kill thier "victims"! 😮 They feel the feeling I'm talking about but thier personality type OR mental illness, or both mixed, can't handle it. It basically feels like an attack to feel so strongly about something you aren't in control of..... Whoah...
I mean, he’s still alive. Strange post
Excellent interview with this great musician
Love that anecdote about Art shaking the Good and Plenty. I can see him doing it. As for walking across Japan, Artie is one with the world and a poet. I should read his memoir.
A great interview on an early Letterman show. A legendary duo, a few years later he would go to Memphis TN and visit Elvis' home that influenced him to create a masterpiece called Graceland.
Great interview, allowing the guess to publicly explore his feelings. Well led, great guest. 👍
Paul Simon was the brains
He still is. He is still writing music.
True, and Garfunkel was the brawn
He wrote & performed some great songs... Definitely put His name in music history 🎶
He talks about pressure to create works that are as good or better than his successful past works.
This aired in 1982. His next album is Hearts and Bones released in 1983, which wasn't a commercial or critical success.
But then he releases Graceland in 86.
13:41 it says a lot how silent the audience went as Paul began telling his Lennon anecdote
..........but sadly, it was a made up story....Paul didn't have another band that John went to "sus out"....Paul came to see John play at the Fete. But again, never let the truth get in the way of a good story ;-)
@@disneyfamily5158 True but I do find it somewhat plausible that that's the story that 1973 Lost Weekend John Lennon told to an impressionable Paul Simon, facts be darned especially just a few years after the Beatles breakup.
That's why it's an anecdote
@@disneyfamily5158 True, but the bit of John wanting to be controlling (or Paul SImon, for that matter) may not have been made up. It's not unusual for egos to clash within a band's direction over who's in charge. Unfortunately for Lennon and Simon, both McCartney and Garfunkel resented this outright because their egos were on par to be reckoned with.
I enjoyed this interview very much because it was 'real'. Simon & Garfunkle were the very first album my sister & I purchased, when we were teens...and he's still going strong.
Me2
He's still going, don' know about strong though.
Hello Margaret how are you doing it's nice meeting you here.
Hello
Dave is clearly in awe that he’s even there and Paul is so strangely free-wheeling:)
I know Dave has to be goofy, but this was a moment to have a rich conversation with a national treasure.
I vehemently maintain that Paul Simon is one of the three greatest songwriters of the 20th century, along with Dylan and McCartney.
Gordon Lightfoot is better than them all....
You forgot John Lennon my friend
Ummm…Joni Mitchell.
It depends on what genres you like or your upbringing & culture. They are AMAZING songwriters but you could add Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder & many others to those top tier songwriter lists.
Exchange McCartney for Lennon and you might have something there. McCartney’s post Beatles work is mediocre and his waltzy granny songs in The Beatles are at times cringey.
Art has the voice and soul of an angel
Soul?
Part 1, yes! Part 2, not so much.
He is not only a genious in his own right,he is a wonderful human being.Wonderful interview letting Paul being Paul !
I miss the good ole days. Letterman. Carson. They were the reason why late night TV is still on today. ❤
Hello Kathy
how are you doing it's nice meeting you here.
Simon and Garfunkel were up there with the Beatles in song writing, period. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and our little town.
THIS is how you do an interview. Let the guest…star…explore their thoughts and ideas and you’ll be so surprised at what you get. Dave was the master.
Hello Rebecca, how are you doing? it's nice meeting you here.
Absolutely brilliant insight into Paul Simon
One Trick Pony was a great piece of work. Late in the evening is as good as it gets
C'mon, It's a fun song but Simon NEVER "Blew that room away". Jeez.
What a great interview. Dave and Paul had some chemistry here.
Great time to watch television. Rough around the edges, real, just three months after this show started.
Lol....good Lord! He must be one of the slowest talkers I've ever heard. Even answering simple questions takes him several minutes. First, he has to think about what he's going to say, and then he has to think about exactly how he's going to phrase it. He never just responds! I can't imagine how long it took him to write a song, but he's one of the best in the history of American music in that regard. Paul and Art were among my 4-5 favorites growing up. His melodies are absolutely astounding, and his lyrics are unequaled.
I think this is the first time I’ve actually listened to Paul Simon being interviewed. It’s interesting how pensive he is, how he pauses to collect his thoughts prior to answering and I’m struck by how very serious he is.
Paul Simon, a true legend
Paul is a precious being.
In the interview Paul was kind of slow on the start, but as he talked more I really grew to respect the man. I wish more people were genuine like him.
Paul Simon was my first male crush!
Precious .... this is soooo good
This was absolutely enchanting!
I didn't realize how intelligent Simon is, awesome.
Wonderful interview..