It’s pointless to be critical of your stuff once it’s done. I don’t spend a lot of time agonising over it. It’s of no importance once it’s finished. – Paul Simon
I think Bridge Over Troubled Water was a very good song. Artie sang it beautifully. The Boxer was a really nice record. But I don’t think I’ve written any great songs. – Paul Simon
It’s a big error to think that because you like somebody’s work, you’re going to like him. – Paul Simon
When we came into the studio I became more and more me, making the tracks and choosing the musicians, partly because a great deal of the time during Bridge, Artie wasn’t there. – Paul Simon
The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains. – Paul Simon
There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful. – Paul Simon
I would be willing to do almost anything to make Art happy. I care about our friendship. The only thing I won’t do is change the essence of my work. – Paul Simon
The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenements halls and whispered in the sounds of silence. – Paul Simon
I don’t consider myself to be a major talent, so the only solace I can take is to hope I’m growing. – Paul Simon
I was eating in a Chinese restaurant downtown. There was a dish called Mother and Child Reunion. It’s chicken and eggs. And I said, I gotta use that one. – Paul Simon
If you can get humor and seriousness at the same time, you’ve created a special little thing, and that’s what I’m looking for, because if you get pompous, you lose everything. – Paul Simon
When I was 15, I made a solo record. It made Artie very unhappy. He looked upon it as something of a betrayal. – Paul Simon
I don’t very often think I’ve done a good job. I don’t like the majority of what I do. I shouldn’t say I don’t like it, but I’m not satisfied with almost everything that I do. – Paul Simon
My voice is my improvisational instrument, the melody instrument. The guitar is harmonic structure. I’m not a good enough guitarist to improvise on it. – Paul Simon
I don’t feel any pressure from fans. But I’m always in some kind of state of emotional turmoil. I would not describe myself as happy-go-lucky. That’s not to say that I’m not happy. – Paul Simon