A Young Paul Simon Deconstructs the Song ‘Mrs. Robinson’ From ‘The Graduate’ for Dick Cavett in 1970
In April 1970, a very young Paul Simon sat down with legendary television host Dick Cavett to talk about his latest work with and without Art Garfunkel.
As the conversation went on, Cavett brought up the now-iconic song "Mrs. Robinson" from the soundtrack of The Graduate, to which Simon responded by deconstructing the song musically and lyrically. Cavett then asked Simon what the inspiration was when he was writing the. Simon responded that he normally writes in a stream of consciousness and looks for meanings later.
It's very pleasurable to write in a stream-of-consciousness style and very often you find that what's in your mind is relevant although at the moment it doesn't seem so. And so as I was writing I I had no idea that I would say that but I said 'Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you' "then I asked myself later what it meant and I said well it means something. It will mean something.
Earlier in the hour, Simon had also broken down how he constructed "Bridge Over Troubled Waters", a song now celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Related Laughing Squid PostsAlfred Hitchcock Tells Dick Cavett About the First Time His Mother Scared Him In a 1972 InterviewJohn Lennon and Yoko Ono Discuss the Breakup of The Beatles and Other Subjects With Dick Cavett in 1971How Bob Dylan's Distinct Style Became Legendary Fodder for Parody by Other Well Known MusiciansOriginally released January 26, 1970, Simon & Garfunkel's iconic album, BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER, celebrates its 50th Anniversary this week. What are some of your favorites from the Bridge album?#BridgeOverTroubledWater #50thAnniversary https://t.co/PlqPSzDfZk
- Paul Simon (@PaulSimonMusic) January 24, 2020
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