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Old 01-14-2020, 01:29 PM
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Default Fascinating video of Paul Simon and “Still Crazy After All These Years”

This video popped up on my youtube page today. It’s a clip of Dick Cavett interviewing Paul Simon. Paul talks about the writing process of his “Still Crazy After All These Years”, which is at the time unfinished. I found it fascinating: a true master in the art of songwriting. I hope others enjoy it like I did.

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Old 01-14-2020, 01:50 PM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
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Right out of the gate I noticed they both were sporting the longer hair “combovers “ that we’re so popular during that era...had one myself.

Good stuff, thanks for posting this. Like many artists, there are a lot of songs I like a lot like this one and some others...not so much.
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Old 01-14-2020, 01:54 PM
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I'd seen that before a while back. Interesting that he had that much of the song completed as it stands today and got caught up on the bridge. Not an uncommon phenomenon I suppose. Regardless, it turned out to be a great song and one of my favorite Paul Simon tunes. Thanks for sharing!
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Old 01-14-2020, 02:18 PM
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Thanks very much for posting, a great piece, very interesting.
Nick
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Old 01-14-2020, 04:18 PM
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He had the original idea and wrote the first verse in his head whilst taking a shower!
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Old 01-14-2020, 04:27 PM
HeyMikey HeyMikey is offline
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Terrific clip, thanks. What a cool glimpse inside the mind of a great songwriter.
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Old 01-18-2020, 10:43 AM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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I also remember seeing this clip previously. It was fascinating to watch it again.

The idea that there were a couple of notes in the scale that Paul Simon had not used up until the bridge and that he wanted to work them into the song because adding these notes would be "refreshing to the ear" for the listener. That was a new concept for me.

I just finished reading Paul Simon: The Life and I found myself fascinated and somewhat puzzled by his approach to songwriting.

I found this clip interesting, too, because Paul Simon was very good-natured about Dick Cavett's constant kidding and interruptions. It's also fascinating that Paul Simon would open himself up like this in talking about an unfinished song and what to do to finish it.

This interview gives a person a little hint of the kind of tenacity Paul Simon carried with him throughout his life. It was this tenacity that allowed him to keep going after new and different musical ideas long after most performers would have given up. His music wasn't just about getting girls; it was a lifelong obsession to find and compose what for him was really rewarding music.

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Old 01-18-2020, 10:58 AM
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one of the great songs by a great writer
Thanks for posting this.
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