I was listening to a 70s pop compilation,a Paul Simon song came on,and I was surprised that he's never been discussed in this forum before (or has he?).This guy has many great songs,such as "Still Crazy After All These Years" and my favorite,the 1976 classic "50 Ways To Leave Yor Lover".All of you Old School folks will remember the catchy hook ("just slip out the back Jack...make a new plan Stan") and how good this song sounded on AM radio in the mid-70s.Paul is a witty songwriter,to be sure.So what's the consensus? Classic 70s pop,or cheesy 70s guilty pleasure? You decide...


"50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"

(written by Paul Simon)

"The problem is all inside your head" she said to me
The answer is easy if you take it logically
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover

She said it's not really my habit to intrude
Furthermore,I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued
But I'll repeat myself at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover

(chorus)
Just slip out the back,Jack
Make a new plan,Stan
You don't need to be coy,Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus,Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key,Lee
And get yourself free

Just slip out the back,Jack
Make a new plan,Stan
You don't need to be coy,Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus,Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key,Lee
And get yourself free


She said it grieves me to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again
I said I appreciate that and would you please explain
about the fifty ways to leave your lover

She said why don't we both just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light
And then she kissed me and I realized she was probably right
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
fifty ways to leave your lover

(chorus)
Just slip out the back,Jack
Make a new plan,Stan
You don't need to be coy,Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus,Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key,Lee
And get yourself free

Just slip out the back,Jack
Make a new plan,Stan
You don't need to be coy,Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus,Gus
You don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key,Lee
And get yourself free

Another example as to why Steve Gadd is damn brilliant. He was the drummer that played on some of Simon's old songs back then, including this one. It's the drums that hook you in long before the chorus, and Gadd worked his distinctive magic again on the song "Late In The Evening" with four drum sticks.

He also backed Paul in that reunion concert that Simon and Garfunkel gave, I think it was in Central Park, or was it? That's him again in that movie that Simon did, the name of which I can't remember right now.

Oh yeah, this song's a nice little ditty too.

Supernova said:

one helluva great simon record, that drum break in the beginning is just classic..

TheRealFiness said:

Yeah I was gonna say 'I like those drums'.. Hurby Luv Bug used them on some Kid'N'Play song in `88, and I remember when I discovered the drums on my parent's Paul Simon record

Paul Simon is a true artist. He's been around forever and has always made great music. I have several of his cd's. He's a great lyricist and composer. I heard he has a new greatest hits cd coming out this week. It's an excellent package of music from what I've read.