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.

I sort of recognize it, as opposed to shaping it. Oh, that's a good idea, that's a good line. I wonder where I can use that. And when you get into a rhyme group like 'not,' you got a lot of rhymes, you got a lot of choices. The more you do it, the luckier you get.

I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told, and I have squandered my resistance, for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises. All lies in jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest...la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lala-la-la-la-la...

Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?

I don't believe what the papers are saying They're just out to capture my dime, Exaggerating this, exaggerating that.

Improvisation is too good to leave to chance.

Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die.

A songwriter's supreme challenge is being complex and simple at the same time

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.

Listen to the sound of silence.

Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.

I know a man He came from my home town He wore his passion for his woman Like a thorny crown He said "Dolores I live in fear My love for you's so overpowering I'm afraid that I will disappear

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died. If I never loved I never would have cried...I am a rock.

These are the days of miracle and wonder.

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

Much of songwriting is simply a mystery.

And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries.

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

The words come. Usually, it's a long time before they come. And then when they start to come, it doesn't take so long for it to be finished. It takes a long time to begin. And then it sort of gets finished.

It's outrageous to line your pockets off the misery of the poor; It's outrageous, the crimes some human beings must endure.