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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
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects the potential of collaboration and harmony in music and life.

In this quote, Paul Simon emphasizes the power of combining voices to enhance musical expression. By suggesting the possibilities of singing in thirds, fifths, or harmonizing, he highlights how collaboration can create richer and deeper experiences, not just in music but in various aspects of life where teamwork and connection are essential.

Themes

MusicHarmonyCollaborationVoicesTeamwork

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about teamwork, one might say, 'As Paul Simon said, how much can you do with two voices?'

More from Paul Simon

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I don't believe what the papers are saying They're just out to capture my dime, Exaggerating this, exaggerating that.
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Improvisation is too good to leave to chance.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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