Paul Simon Quotes

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Paul Simon

Profession : Musician

Birth : October 13, 1941

I'm not in it for the money. I like music. I love to write music. I can't imagine myself not playing or singing or writing. It would just drive me crazy if I didn't.

Paul Simon

I try to open up my heart as much as I can and keep a real keen eye out that I don't get sentimental. I think we're all afraid to reveal our hearts. It's not at all in fashion.

Paul Simon

Not every song I write is ecstasy. And it can happen only one time. After that, when you sing the same melody and words, it's pleasure, but you don't get wiped out.

Paul Simon

People often called us perfectionists, but we were not looking for perfection. We were looking for some kind of magic in the music.

Paul Simon

I suppose an artist takes the elements of his life and rearranges them and then has them perceived by others as though they were the elements of their lives.

Paul Simon

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 question what emotion Manilow touches. People are entertained by him. But are they emotionally moved? I don't believe anything that Barry Manilow sings.

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

We've survived by believing our life is going to get better.

Paul Simon

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo.

Paul Simon

Listen to the sound of silence.

Paul Simon

You want to be a writer, don't know how or when? Find a quiet place, use a humble pen.

Paul Simon

I'm more interested in what I discover than what I invent.

Paul Simon

Facts can be turned into art if one is artful enough.

Paul Simon

There must be 50 ways to leave your lover.

Paul Simon

I always get very calm with baseball.

Paul Simon

Without Arthur's voice, I never would have enjoyed that success.

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

How much can you do with two voices? You can sing thirds or you can sing fifths or you can do a background harmony.

Paul Simon

Being an artist doesn't mean that you're a good artist. That was the bargain I first made with myself: I'd say, I'm an artist, but I'm not really very good.

Paul Simon