Well... had a listen - and Paul Simon's still "the man" for me - although listening to
just one song can't possibly be the basis for any meaningful conclusion. It's just that Simon's
songs are so understated, yet the drama within them is so well represented.
The other thing is the degree of acceptance that his writings create in me, as I listen. I always used
to wonder what being a boxer has to do with his song - boxing's never mentioned until the end of
it, yet somehow it "fits" and provides context.
I also remember an article from many years ago, in which Simon told of his struggle to create a believable
link (is it a "middle eight?") for Bridge over Troubled Waters. He never did, so used the "Sail on Silverbird,
sail on by" bit. Nobody (up until that point) had ever pointed out that it had nothing whatsoever to do with
the "story" of the song - but it "fits". Daft, I know; but that's how his music makes me think, I guess.