logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
52m 13s

Paul Simon

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

Paul Simon is one of the greatest living songwriters. Since debuting with Art Garfunkel in 1957, Paul Simon has written countless songs quintessential to the American psyche. This year, at 81 years old, he’s released the latest addition to his beloved catalog, Seven Psalms, to an outpouring of critical acclaim.

In 2021, Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam released the audiobook, Miracle And Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon. It’s an intimate look into Simon’s songwriting alongside never-before-heard live studio versions of hits including “The Boxer," “The Sound of Silence," and “Graceland.” This fall, we'll also be releasing an updated version of the audiobook with a brand-new chapter featuring even more from Malcolm and Paul's newly-recorded deep dive into Seven Psalms, some of which you'll hear today.

To celebrate the latest chapter in Paul Simon’s 65-year-career, on today’s episode Malcolm Gladwell sits back down with Paul to discuss the creation of his latest album. Paul explains why he feels music reviews are more about the writer than the piece of music being critiqued, and he talks about why many of his lyrics take a conversational bent. He also recalls how the title came to him in a dream after he considered never writing again.

You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Paul Simon songs HERE.

Check out the Miracle And Wonder audiobook at miracleaudiobook.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Aug 19
Margo Price
Margo Price’s new album, Hard Headed Woman, was recorded in the heart of Nashville at the legendary RCA Studio A—the very place where the “Nashville Sound” was born, and where greats like Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Charley Pride have all recorded. It’s the perfect setting f ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 12
Annahstasia
Soaring, lush and steeped in soul, Annahstasia has a voice that feels distant and intimate all at once. She was scouted in high school for a career in pop music but after some strange dealings set out down the road of self discovery. You can hear what she uncovered about herself ... Show More
1h 6m
Aug 5
Spellling
Chrystia Cabral is the experimental, often mystically-inclined Oakland artist who records as Spellling. Since her 2019 debut, she’s built a reputation for richly imaginative music that defies easy categorization. Her third album, The Turning Wheel, earned a rare perfect 10 from n ... Show More
57m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Super Soul Special: Paul Williams and Tracey Jackson: A Better You Through Trust and Gratitude
Original Air Date: January 8, 2018Paul Williams is the songwriting legend behind hits such as Barbra Streisand's Oscar-winning song, "Evergreen," Kermit the Frog's beloved "Rainbow Connection" and the Carpenters classic "We've Only Just Begun." Paul says that, at the height of hi ... Show More
31m 23s
Feb 2024
You Might Also Like: McCartney: A Life in Lyrics
Introducing Hey Jude from McCartney: A Life in Lyrics.Follow the show: McCartney: A Life in LyricsIn 1968 the longest song to ever reach number one on the Billboard charts was Paul McCartney’s epic “Hey Jude”—clocking in at seven minutes and twelve seconds. The song was written t ... Show More
20m 6s
Jun 20
Paul Simon (Extended) | It's Not The Heat, It's The Stupidity
The president tried to halt observances of the Juneteenth holiday but Americans celebrated anyway, the FDA is scrapping guidelines on daily alcohol limits, we’re in for a very hot weekend across the country, and a special nuke-proof plane was spotted landing in Washington, D.C. a ... Show More
34m 20s
Jun 2021
Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds on How Harry Nilsson and Nine Inch Nails Influenced Their New Album
Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds sits down with Kyle Meredith to discuss their upcoming 5th LP and two lead singles, Follow You and Cutthroat. We hear about Dan’s gift of melody coming from his early classical piano upbringing and taking vocal and lyrical influence from Harr ... Show More
29m 28s
Nov 2019
Nothing Is Real - Episode 17 - 1980 Part Two
1980 was the year that everything changed. In the second of two parts, Steven and Jason look at how the rest of 1980 unfolded. In May, John Lennon is listening to the radio, semi-retired and without a contract. By November he’s written, recorded and released a brand new album wit ... Show More
59m 24s
Jul 2023
Pt 2 w/Jeff Carlisi from 38 Special, plus Todd Ronning from Bad Company & Paul Rodgers' new solo project
In part two of our interview, Jeff Carlisi gives us the back story on 38 Special's first big hit, Rockin' Into the Night, the writing partnerships that produced some of their biggest hits, role changes inside the band, their history with MTV, the shock of finding out th ... Show More
46m 45s
Feb 2025
Paul Simon & Edie Brickell ask about love
Handsome celebrates love in all its forms with a question from the loveliest couple in all of music-- Edie Brickell and Paul Simon! Plus Handsome valentines, Handsome tattoos, and an appearance from Handsome Biggie!Handsome is hosted by Tig Notaro, Mae Martin, and Fortune Feimste ... Show More
50m 38s
Jul 2024
George Benson
George Benson examines his transition from a top Jazz guitarist into a highly respected vocalist. He shares the origin stories behind several 1970s hits like "Breezin" and "On Broadway" plus recalls working with Stevie Wonder, Bobby Womack, and Al Jarreau. George also discusses h ... Show More
53m 50s
Feb 2025
Daniel Levitin
Daniel Levitin is a psychologist and neuroscientist who is fascinated by the way our brains respond to music. He first worked as a musician, playing in bands, and then became a record producer and engineer. He’s worked with some of best-known names in the world, including Stevie ... Show More
48m 31s
Dec 2022
Billy Joel and Producer Phil Ramone Captured Collaborative Magic on The Stranger
The Stranger didn't just mark Billy Joel’s critical breakthrough, but the beginning of a decade-long creative partnership with producer Phil Ramone. Together, the two would create some of the most lasting songs in music, and it all began with those first sessions in the summe ... Show More
20m 43s