Imagine a hit song that its creator described as complete “nonsense.” This is the intriguing story of Paul Simon's unexpected number one single, which he initially considered to be somewhat absurd.
As the 1970s progressed, Paul Simon had emerged as one of the leading singer-songwriters globally. He first gained recognition in the 1960s alongside Art Garfunkel as part of the iconic duo Simon and Garfunkel. By the mid-70s, Simon was successfully launching a series of solo hits like ‘Mother and Child Reunion’, ‘Kodachrome’, and ‘Love’s Me Like a Rock’, all of which landed in the top ten. However, despite these successes, Simon had yet to secure a number one single as a solo artist since his days with Garfunkel.
This changed dramatically with the release of his album "Still Crazy After All These Years" in 1975. While tracks such as ‘Gone At Last’ and the title song made it into the top 40 in the United States, it was the catchy tune ‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’ that ultimately gave Simon his only number one hit as a solo artist. Simon recounted that the inspiration for the song struck him unexpectedly one morning.
"I woke up one morning in my apartment overlooking Central Park, and the opening words just appeared in my head: ‘The problem is all inside your head, she said to me…’ That was the first thing I thought of," he shared with Rock Lives in 1975. "I began to build on that initial line. It turned out to be the last song I wrote for the album, and I used an electronic drum machine called Rhythm Ace to create a playful, sing-song quality with lines like ‘Make a new plan, Stan; don’t need to be coy, Roy.’ In essence, it’s a bit of a nonsense song."
However, Simon's creation wasn't born purely from whimsy. In 1975, he was going through a challenging divorce from his first wife, Peggy Harper, which left him grappling with his emotions. Instead of diving into the serious pain of separation, he found solace in humor, which is reflected in the chorus of ‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover.’
With Steve Gadd’s unforgettable drum beat driving the song, Simon narrates his experiences of marital strife while attempting to woo someone new. Instead of confronting the harshness of a breakup, Simon suggests that simplicity is key when it comes to moving on. Whether it's about slipping out the back, making a fresh plan, or simply dropping off the key, there are numerous ways to find freedom from a relationship.
‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’ stands out as one of Simon's most memorable tunes. Although it became a staple in his live performances, Simon also went on to produce additional top 40 hits like ‘Slip Slidin’ Away’, ‘Late in the Evening’, and ‘You Can Call Me Al’. Nevertheless, ‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’ remains his sole number one hit as a solo artist throughout his career.
Interestingly, the so-called “nonsense” aspect of the song is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that Simon only provides five methods for leaving a lover. The lyrics feature quirky suggestions such as “Slip out the back, Jack,” “Make a new plan, Stan,” “You don’t need to be coy, Roy, just set yourself free,” “Hop on the bus, Gus,” and “Drop off the key, Lee, and get yourself free.”
While some may view this as a lack of substance, it potentially reflects Simon's true feelings towards the track. It's clear that he had mixed emotions about it then, and he might still feel ambivalent about it today.
Have you ever felt the need to find humor in tough situations? Share your thoughts on Simon's approach to songwriting and whether you believe simplicity can indeed lead to freedom in relationships.
