Editing Paul Simon (section)

==Career==
{{BLP sources section|date = August 2024}}
[[File:Paul Simon in 1966.jpg|thumb|upright|Simon in 1966]]

Between 1957 and 1964, Simon wrote, recorded, and released more than 30 songs. He and Garfunkel occasionally reunited as Tom & Jerry to record singles, including "Our Song" and "That's My Story". Most of the songs Simon recorded during that time he performed alone, or with musicians other than Garfunkel. They were released on minor record labels including Amy, Big, Hunt, [[King Records (United States)|King]], Tribute and Madison. Simon used several pseudonyms for these recordings, including "Jerry Landis", "Paul Kane", and "True Taylor". By 1962, working as Jerry Landis, he was a frequent writer/producer for several Amy Records artists, overseeing material released by Dotty Daniels, the Vels and [[Ritchie Cordell]].

Simon enjoyed moderate success with singles as part of the group Tico and the Triumphs, including "Motorcycle", which reached number 99 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts in 1962. Tico and the Triumphs released four 45s. Marty Cooper, known as Tico, sang lead on several of these releases, but "Motorcycle" featured Simon's vocal. Also in 1962, Simon reached number 97 on the pop charts as Jerry Landis, with the [[novelty song]] "The Lone Teen Ranger". Both chart singles were released on [[Amy Records]].

===1960s: Simon & Garfunkel===
{{Main|Simon & Garfunkel}}

In early 1964, Simon and Garfunkel auditioned for [[Columbia Records]], whose executive [[Clive Davis]] signed them to produce an album. Columbia decided to call them Simon & Garfunkel instead of Tom & Jerry, and according to Simon, this was the first time artists' surnames had been used in pop music without their first names.<ref>Paul Simon, Speech given upon induction to the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], [[Cleveland]], 2003.</ref> Simon and Garfunkel's first LP, ''[[Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.]]'', was released on October 19, 1964. It consisted of 12 songs, five of which were written by Simon. The album initially flopped.<ref name="Alterman-1970">{{cite magazine|last=Alterman|first=Lorraine|date=May 28, 1970|title=Paul Simon: the ''Rolling Stone'' interview|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paul-simon-the-rolling-stone-interview-190306/|access-date=January 15, 2022|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:SimonandGarfunkel.jpg|thumb|left|Garfunkel, left, with Paul Simon, right, performing outside at a concert in [[Dublin]] as [[Simon & Garfunkel]]]]

In 1965, after the album's release, Simon moved to London{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=[https://archive.org/details/paulsimonlife0000elio/page/n62 53]}} and performed in folk clubs. He enjoyed his time in England and said in 1970, "I had a lot of friends there and a girlfriend. I could play music there. There was no place to play in New York City. They wouldn't have me."<ref name="Alterman-1970"/> He was welcomed by England's bohemian folk scene, learned to finger-pick acoustic guitar from [[Martin Carthy]], and was introduced to English folk music. He recalled, "I had never heard anything like those old English songs. I was 21, 22, and emotionally open to everything."<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023">{{cite news|work=The Times|date=December 8, 2023|author=Will Hodgkinson |title=Interview with Paul Simon|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/paul-simon-seven-psalms-interview-g0frtkbdl}}</ref> The folk music he heard in England in the mid-sixties became one of his two big influences. He wrote "[[Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel song)|Homeward Bound]]" and "[[I Am a Rock]]", and learned [[Davey Graham]]'s guitar instrumental "Anji", which later appeared on ''[[Sounds of Silence (album)|Sounds of Silence]]''.<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/>

In England, Simon recorded a solo album, ''[[The Paul Simon Songbook]]'', featuring just his voice and guitar accompaniment; it was released only in the UK at the time, but later released elsewhere.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bennighof |first1=James |title=The Words and Music of Paul Simon |date=2007 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=9780313082795 |page=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v7fOEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA2 |access-date=December 25, 2024}}</ref> He produced [[Jackson C. Frank]]'s only album and co-wrote several songs with [[Bruce Woodley]] of the Australian pop group [[the Seekers]], including "I Wish You Could Be Here", "Cloudy" and "[[Red Rubber Ball]]". Simon also contributed to the Seekers' catalog with "Someday One Day", which was released in March 1966, charting around the same time as Simon and Garfunkel's "[[Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel song)|Homeward Bound]]". The song was a Top 10<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homeward Bound {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/homeward-bound/ |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}}</ref> hit from their second UK album, ''[[Sounds of Silence (album)|Sounds of Silence]]'', and later included on their third U.S. album, ''[[Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme]]''.

Radio stations on the American East Coast began receiving requests for the ''Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.'' track "[[The Sound of Silence]]". Simon & Garfunkel's producer, [[Tom Wilson (producer)|Tom Wilson]], overdubbed the track with electric guitar, bass guitar, and drums, and it was released as a single, eventually reaching number 1 on the U.S. pop charts.<ref name='How "The Sound of Silence" Became a Surprise Hit'>{{cite web|last1=Himes|first1=Geoffrey|title=How 'The Sound of Silence' Became a Surprise Hit|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/sound-silence-surprise-hit-180957672/|website=Smithsonian Magazine|access-date=February 23, 2018}}</ref> Wilson did not inform the duo of his plan, and Simon was "horrified" when he first heard it.<ref name="Eliot65">{{harvnb|Eliot|2010|p=65}}</ref> The single's success drew Simon back to the U.S. to reunite with Garfunkel, and they recorded the albums ''[[Sounds of Silence (album)|Sounds of Silence]]'' (1966), ''[[Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme]]'' (1966) and ''[[Bookends (album)|Bookends]]'' (1968). Their last album, ''[[Bridge over Troubled Water]]'' (1970), was at the time [[List of best-selling albums|the bestselling album of all time]].<ref name="Ebel68">{{cite book|first=Roswitha|last=Ebel|title=Paul Simon: seine Musik, sein Leben|date=2004|publisher=epubli|isbn=978-3-937729-00-8|page=68|language=de|trans-title=Paul Simon: His Music, His Life}}</ref>

Simon & Garfunkel also contributed to the soundtrack of [[Mike Nichols]]'s film ''[[The Graduate]]'' (1967). While writing "[[Mrs. Robinson]]", Simon toyed with the title "Mrs. Roosevelt". When Garfunkel reported this indecision over the song's name to the director, Nichols replied, "Don't be ridiculous! We're making a movie here! It's Mrs. Robinson!"<ref>David Fricke, in the leaflet accompaniment to the Simon and Garfunkel 1997 album "Old Friends"</ref>

Simon and Garfunkel's relationship became strained and they split in 1970.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=[https://archive.org/details/paulsimonlife0000elio/page/n128 111]}} At the urging of his wife, Peggy Harper, Simon called Davis to confirm the duo's breakup.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=[https://archive.org/details/paulsimonlife0000elio/page/n131 114]}} For the next several years, they spoke only two or three times a year.<ref name="RS82">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Holden|date=March 18, 1982|title=Class Reunion: It Looks Like a Lasting Thing|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York City|issue=365|pages=26–28|issn=0035-791X}}</ref>

===1970–1976: Solo and ''Still Crazy After All These Years''===
In 1970, Simon taught songwriting at [[New York University]]. He said he had wanted to teach for a while, and hoped to help people avoid some of the mistakes he had made: "You can teach somebody about writing songs. You can't teach someone how to write a song ... I'd go to a course if the Beatles would talk about how they made records because I'm sure I could learn something."<ref name="Alterman-1970"/>

Simon pursued solo work while occasionally reuniting with Garfunkel for various projects. He gave a solo performance at the [[Cleveland Arena]] in April 1972<ref>{{cite news|date=April 29, 1972|title=Candidate's Day: McGovern Fund Gala Is Sold Out|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/29/archives/mcgovern-fund-concert-in-cleveland-is-sold-out.html}}</ref> in a benefit concert for the [[George McGovern 1972 presidential campaign]], and he and Garfunkel reunited in mid-June that year at [[Madison Square Garden]] in another concert for McGovern.<ref>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=McCandlish|author-link=McCandlish Phillips|date=June 15, 1972|title=Rock 'n' Rhetoric Rally in the Garden Aids McGovern|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/06/15/archives/rock-n-rhetoric-rally-in-the-garden-aids-mcgovern.html}}</ref> Garfunkel joined Simon again on the 1975 Top 10 single "[[My Little Town]]". Simon wrote the song for Garfunkel, whose solo output Simon felt lacked "bite", and it was included on Simon's album ''[[Still Crazy After All These Years]]'' and Garfunkel's album ''[[Breakaway (Art Garfunkel album)|Breakaway]]''. Contrary to popular belief, the song was not based on Simon's early life in New York City.<ref>Humphries, Patrick. ''The Boy in the Bubble'', p. 96.</ref> Simon also provided guitar on Garfunkel's 1973 album ''[[Angel Clare]]'', and added backing vocals to the song "[[Down in the Willow Garden]]".<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Angel Clare |date=1973 |publisher=[[Columbia Records]] |type=album credits}}</ref>

Simon's next album, ''[[Paul Simon (album)|Paul Simon]]'', was released in January 1972, following his first experiment with [[world music]], the Jamaican-inspired song "[[Mother and Child Reunion]]", which reached both the American and British Top 5. The album received universal acclaim and critics praised its variety of styles and confessional lyrics. ''[[Paul Simon (album)|Paul Simon]]'' reached number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK and Japan, and produced another Top 30 hit, "[[Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard]]".

Simon's next project, the pop-folk album ''[[There Goes Rhymin' Simon]]'', was released in May 1973. The lead single, "[[Kodachrome (song)|Kodachrome]]", was a number 2 hit in the U.S. The follow-up, the gospel-flavored "[[Loves Me Like a Rock]]", topped the ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' charts. Other songs like "[[American Tune]]" and "Something So Right" (a tribute to Simon's first wife, Peggy) became part of his repertoire. The album reached number 1 on the ''Cashbox'' album charts. It was released in 1974 as a live album, ''[[Live Rhymin']]'', and contained elements of world and religious music.

His next album, produced by Simon and [[Phil Ramone]], was ''[[Still Crazy After All These Years]]'', released in October 1975. The mood of the album, written after Simon's divorce, was darker. It contains "Gone at Last" (a Top 25 hit) and the Simon & Garfunkel reunion track "My Little Town" (a number 9 on ''Billboard''). The album is his only number 1 on the ''Billboard'' charts to date. The [[18th Grammy Awards]] named it the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], and his performance on it the year's [[Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance|Best Male Pop Vocal]]. The third single from the album, "[[50 Ways to Leave Your Lover]]", reached the top spot on the ''Billboard'' charts. On May 3, 1976, Simon put together a benefit show at [[Madison Square Garden]] for the [[New York Public Library]] that raised over $30,000.

===1977–1985: ''One-Trick Pony'' and ''Hearts and Bones''===
After releasing three successful studio albums, Simon worked on various projects, including writing music for the film ''[[Shampoo (film)|Shampoo]]'', which became the music for the song "Silent Eyes" on the ''Still Crazy'' album, and acting (he played Tony Lacey in [[Woody Allen]]'s film ''[[Annie Hall]]''). He achieved another hit with "[[Slip Slidin' Away]]", the lead single of his 1977 compilation ''[[Greatest Hits, Etc.]]'', which reached number 5 in the U.S.

In 1980, Simon released ''[[One-Trick Pony (album)|One-Trick Pony]]'', his first album with [[Warner Bros. Records]] and his first in almost five years. The album was paired with the [[One-Trick Pony (film)|motion picture of the same name]], which Simon wrote and starred in. It produced the upbeat "Late in the Evening", a number 1 hit on the [[Radio & Records]] American charts, but did not sell well.

In 1981, Simon & Garfunkel included eight songs from Simon's solo career in the set list of their [[The Concert in Central Park|September 19 concert in Central Park]]. Five were rearranged as duets and Simon performed the other three solo. The resulting live album, TV special, and videocassette (later DVD) releases were all major hits.

After the success of ''The Concert in Central Park'', Simon & Garfunkel returned to the studio, planning to record an album of new material. This would have been their first new recordings as a duo since their 1975 single "My Little Town" and their first album of new material since ''[[Bridge over Troubled Water]]'' in 1970. Simon ultimately decided to wipe Garfunkel's vocals from the mix, and in 1983, he released ''[[Hearts and Bones]]'' as a solo album. It is a polished, confessional album that was eventually viewed as one of his best works, but it achieved the lowest sales of his career.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=186}} ''Hearts and Bones'' included "[[The Late Great Johnny Ace]]", a song partly about [[Johnny Ace]], an American [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer, and partly about [[John Lennon]]. In January 1985, Simon performed for [[USA for Africa]] and on the [[Humanitarian aid|relief]] fundraising single "[[We Are the World]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=March 6, 2020 |title='We Are the World': A Minute-by-Minute Breakdown |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/we-are-the-world-a-minute-by-minute-breakdown-54619/ |access-date=July 26, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1986–1992: ''Graceland'' and ''The Rhythm of the Saints''===
[[File:Miriam Makeba and Paul Simon, musicians gtfy.02537.jpg|thumb|[[Miriam Makeba]] and Simon (1986)]]

In 1986, Simon was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from [[Berklee College of Music]], where he had served on the board of trustees.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hochschild|first=Rob|title=Honorary Degree Recipients|url=http://www.berklee.edu/about/honorary.html|access-date=May 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Berklee Board of Trustees|url=http://www.berklee.edu/bios/trustees/|access-date=May 17, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511182914/http://www.berklee.edu/bios/trustees|archive-date=May 11, 2012}}</ref>

Simon decided to record an album of South African music after hearing a [[Bootleg recording|bootlegged]] tape of ''[[mbaqanga]]'', South African street music,<ref name="10 Things2">{{cite magazine |last1=Runtagh |first1=Jordan |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Paul Simon's ''Graceland'': 10 Things You Didn't Know |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/paul-simons-graceland-10-things-you-didnt-know-105220/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> and in 1986 he traveled to [[Johannesburg]] and recorded with African musicians. Additional sessions were held in New York.<ref name="sos">{{cite web |first=Richard |last=Buskin |date=September 2008 |title=Paul Simon 'You Can Call Me Al' – Classic Tracks |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep08/articles/classictracks_0908.htm |access-date=November 21, 2014 |work=[[Sound on Sound]]}}</ref> The sessions featured many South African acts, particularly [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], and Simon also collaborated with several American artists, singing a duet with [[Linda Ronstadt]] in "Under African Skies", and playing with [[Los Lobos]] in "All Around the World or The Myth of Fingerprints".<ref name="nyt862">{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Holden |date=August 24, 1986 |title=Paul Simon Brings Home the Music of Black South Africa |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/24/arts/paul-simon-brings-home-the-music-of-black-south-africa.html |access-date=November 22, 2014}}</ref> Before leaving for Johannesburg, Simon contributed to "[[We Are the World]]", a [[Charity record|charity single]] for African famine relief.<ref name="nyt862"/>

The resulting album, ''[[Graceland (album)|Graceland]]'', became Simon's most successful studio album and his highest-charting album in over a decade. It is estimated to have sold more than 16 million copies worldwide.<ref name="salon">{{cite news |first=Ethan |last=Zuckerman |date=November 29, 2014 |title=The internet is not enough: Paul Simon's ''Graceland'', Malcolm Gladwell and the importance of real connections |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/11/29/the_internet_is_not_enough_paul_simons_graceland_malcolm_gladwell_and_the_importance_of_real_connections/ |access-date=February 4, 2015}}</ref> ''Graceland'' won the [[1987 Grammy Awards|1987 Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]. In 2006, the album was added to the United States' [[National Recording Registry]] as "culturally, historically or aesthetically important".<ref>{{cite web |title=Complete National Recording Registry Listing |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/complete-national-recording-registry-listing/ |access-date=May 16, 2020 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>

Simon was accused of breaking the [[Apartheid#Cultural boycott|cultural boycott]] imposed by the rest of the world against South Africa's [[apartheid]] regime<ref name="tg12">{{cite news |first=Robin |last=Denselow |date=April 19, 2012 |title=Paul Simon's Graceland: the acclaim and the outrage |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/apr/19/paul-simon-graceland-acclaim-outrage |access-date=November 21, 2014}}</ref> by organizations such as [[Artists United Against Apartheid]],<ref name="jones2">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Lucy |date=May 31, 2012 |title=Should Paul Simon have defied a UN boycott to make Graceland in South Africa under apartheid? |url=http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/lucyjones/100063781/should-paul-simon-have-defied-a-un-boycott-to-make-graceland-in-south-africa-under-apartheid/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601104926/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/lucyjones/100063781/should-paul-simon-have-defied-a-un-boycott-to-make-graceland-in-south-africa-under-apartheid/ |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=September 28, 2013 |website=[[telegraph.co.uk]]}}</ref> anti-apartheid musicians (including [[Billy Bragg]], [[Paul Weller]] and [[Jerry Dammers]]),<ref name="denselow">{{cite web |last=Denselow |first=Robin |author-link=Robin Denselow |date=March 16, 2012 |title=Paul Simon brings Graceland back to London, 25 years after apartheid boycott row |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/16/paul-simon-graceland-london |access-date=September 28, 2013 |website=[[theguardian.com]]}}</ref> and [[James Victor Gbeho]] (Ghana's [[Ambassador to the United Nations]]).<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=November 16, 1989 |title=100 Best Albums of the Eighties: Paul Simon "Graceland" |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-eighties-20110418/paul-simon-graceland-20110330 |access-date=September 28, 2013 |website=[[rollingstone.com]]}}</ref> Simon denied that he had gone to South Africa to "take money out of the country" and said he paid the black artists and split royalties with them and was not paid to play to a white-only audience.<ref name="10 Things2"/> The United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee supported ''Graceland'', as it showcased black South African musicians and offered no support to the South African government, but the [[African National Congress]] protested that it was a violation of the boycott.<ref name="jones2"/> The Congress voted to ban Simon from South Africa and he was added to the United Nations blacklist,{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=190}} from which he was removed in January 1987.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=195}} In 1989, Simon appeared on [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]]'s song "Written on the Subway Wall"/"Little Star" from ''[[Yo Frankie (album)|Yo Frankie]]'', which peaked at number 97 in October 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/written-on-the-subway-wall_slash_little-star-ep/|title=written on the subway wall/little star ep &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=March 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/dion/59130/written-on-the-subway-wall.jhtml |title=Written on the Subway Wall &#124; Dion &#124; Music Video |publisher=MTV |date=January 1, 1989 |access-date=August 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821014704/http://www.mtv.com/videos/dion/59130/written-on-the-subway-wall.jhtml |archive-date=August 21, 2014}}</ref>

After ''Graceland'', Simon extended his roots with the [[Culture of Brazil|Brazilian]]-flavored ''[[The Rhythm of the Saints]]''. Sessions for the album began in December 1989 in [[Rio de Janeiro]] and New York and featured guitarist [[J. J. Cale|J.J. Cale]] and Brazilian and African musicians. The album's tone is more introspective and low-key than that of ''Graceland''. Released in October 1990, the album received excellent reviews and sold well, peaking at number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK. The lead single, "The Obvious Child", featuring the Grupo Cultural [[Olodum]], became Simon's last Top 20 hit in the UK and appeared near the bottom of the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Although not as successful as ''Graceland'', ''The Rhythm of the Saints'' received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Simon's ex-wife [[Carrie Fisher]] wrote in her autobiography ''[[Wishful Drinking]]'' that the song "[[She Moves On]]" is about her: "If you can get Paul Simon to write a song about you, do it. Because he is so brilliant at it."<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o5L4qkuXdZQC&q=wishful+drinking | title=Wishful Drinking |via=Google Books | isbn=9781439153710 | access-date=July 15, 2011| last1=Fisher | first1=Carrie | date=September 8, 2009 | publisher=Simon and Schuster}}</ref>

The success of both albums allowed Simon to stage another concert in New York. On August 15, 1991, he gave a second concert in Central Park, with African and South American bands. The concert's success surpassed all expectations, and 48,500 people are estimated to have attended.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Giles|first1=Jeff|title=The Story of Paul Simon's Massive Central Park Concert|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-simon-central-park/|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|accessdate=8 August 2017}}</ref> He later remembered the concert as "the most memorable moment in my career". Its success led to a live album and an [[Emmy]]-winning TV special. Simon embarked on the ''Born at the Right Time Tour'' and promoted the album with further singles, including "Proof", which was accompanied by a humorous video featuring [[Chevy Chase]] and [[Steve Martin]]. On March 4, 1992, Simon performed in his own episode of ''[[MTV Unplugged]].'' Simon and Garfunkel were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 1990.<ref name="rockhall1" />

===1993–1998: ''Paul Simon 1964/1993'' and ''The Capeman''===
Another Simon & Garfunkel reunion took place in September 1993, and Columbia released ''[[Paul Simon 1964/1993]]''. Originally a three-disc compilation, it became a reduced version on the two-disc album ''[[The Paul Simon Anthology]]'' one month later. In 1995, Simon appeared on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and performed the song "Ten Years", which he had composed for the show's tenth anniversary. Also in 1995 he featured in the [[Annie Lennox]] version of his 1973 song "Something So Right", which appeared briefly on the UK Top 50 after it was released as a single.<ref>{{Cite web |title=something so right {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/something%20so%20right/ |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=www.officialcharts.com |language=en}}</ref>

Simon had been involved in creating a musical, ''[[The Capeman]]'', that opened on January 29, 1998. He worked enthusiastically on the project for many years, and described it as "a New York Puerto Rican story based on events that happened in 1959—events that I remembered."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whizzo.ca/simon/simon94_99.html |title=whizzo.ca |publisher=whizzo.ca |access-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924032430/http://www.whizzo.ca/simon/simon94_99.html |archive-date=September 24, 2010}}</ref> The musical told the story of a real-life Puerto Rican youth, [[Salvador Agron]], who wore a cape while committing two murders in New York in 1959. He became a writer while in prison. Featuring [[Marc Anthony]] as the young Agron and [[Rubén Blades]] as the older Agron, the play was not a success, receiving terrible reviews and poor box-office receipts.

Simon recorded an album of songs from the show which was released in November 1997. The album received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its combination of [[doo-wop]], [[rockabilly]], and [[Caribbean music]], but ''[[Songs from The Capeman]]'' was a failure, and for the first time in Simon's career he did not reach the Top 40 of the ''Billboard'' charts. The cast album was never released on CD but eventually became available online.

===1999–2007: ''You're the One'' and ''Surprise''===
After ''The Capeman'', Simon's career was in an unexpected crisis, but he continued to record new material. In 1999, he embarked on a three-month North American tour with [[Bob Dylan]], in which he and Dylan alternated as the headline act with a middle section where they performed together. The collaboration was generally well-received, with just one critic, Seth Rogovoy of the ''Berkshire Eagle'', questioning the collaboration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkshireweb.com/rogovoy/interviews/dylan716.html |title=Bob Dylan and Paul Simon: A mismatch made in heaven? by Seth Rogovoy |publisher=Berkshireweb.com |access-date=July 15, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720080030/http://www.berkshireweb.com/rogovoy/interviews/dylan716.html |archive-date=July 20, 2011}}</ref>

In 2000, Simon wrote and recorded a new album, ''[[You're the One (Paul Simon album)|You're the One]]'', very quickly. The album was released in October and consisted mostly of folk-pop writing combined with foreign musical sounds, particularly grooves from North Africa. ''[[You're the One (Paul Simon album)|You're the One]]'' received favorable reviews, reached both the British and American Top 20, and received a Grammy nomination for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]. Simon toured extensively to promote it, and one performance in Paris was released to home video.

In the aftermath of the [[September 11 attacks]] in America, Simon sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on ''[[America: A Tribute to Heroes]]'', a multi-network broadcast to benefit the September 11 Telethon Fund, and performed "The Boxer" at the start of the first episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' after September 11. In 2002, he wrote and recorded "[[Father and Daughter]]", the theme song for the animated family film ''[[The Wild Thornberrys Movie]]''. The track was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Song]].

In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel performed together again when they received a [[Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award]]. This reunion led to a U.S. tour, the acclaimed "Old Friends" concert series, followed by a 2004 international encore, culminating in a free concert at the [[Colosseum]] in Rome that attracted an audience of 600,000.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 31, 2004|title=Paul Simon News on Yahoo! Music|url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12175339|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404201404/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12175339|archive-date=April 4, 2005|access-date=July 15, 2011|publisher=Yahoo! Music}}</ref> In 2005, they sang "Mrs. Robinson" and "Homeward Bound" together, plus "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with [[Aaron Neville]], in the benefit concert ''From the Big Apple to The Big Easy – The Concert for New Orleans'' (eventually released as a DVD) for [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims.

In 2004, Simon's studio albums were re-released both individually and as a collection in a limited-edition, nine-CD boxed set, ''Paul Simon: The Studio Recordings 1972–2000''. Simon was then working with [[Brian Eno]] on a new album, ''[[Surprise (Paul Simon album)|Surprise]]'', which was released in May 2006. Most of its songs were inspired by the [[September 11 attacks]] and the [[Iraq War]]. Simon also took inspiration from having turned 60 in 2001, which he humorously referred to in "Old" from ''You're the One''. ''Surprise'' was a commercial hit, reaching number 14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and number 4 in the UK. Most critics praised the album. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] of [[AllMusic]] wrote, "Simon doesn't achieve his comeback by reconnecting with the sound and spirit of his classic work; he has achieved it by being as restless and ambitious as he was at his popular and creative peak." The album was supported by the [[Surprise (Paul Simon album)#The Surprise Tour|Surprise Tour]] in 2006.

In March 2004, Walter Yetnikoff published ''Howling at the Moon'', a book in which he criticized Simon and his previous business partnership with [[Columbia Records]].<ref name="Yetnikoff">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/books/sex-drugs-ego-music-mogul-s-swath-destruction-deposed-president-cbs-records.html |title=Sex, Drugs and Ego: A Music Mogul's Swath of Destruction; A Deposed President of CBS Records Chronicles His Debauchery and Detox |access-date=October 27, 2015 |date=March 4, 2004 |first=Lola |last=Ogunnaike |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2007, Simon was the inaugural recipient of the [[Library of Congress]]'s [[Gershwin Prize]] for Popular Song, and he later performed as part of a gala of his work.<ref name="LOC-Release">{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2007/07-010.html |title=Paul Simon To Be Awarded First Annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by Library of Congress |access-date=March 2, 2007 |date=July 2, 2007 |author=Public Affairs Office |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2007/07-085.html |title=Star-Studded Lineup Confirmed for Library of Congress Concert Honoring Gershwin Prize Recipient Paul Simon |date=April 23, 2007 |access-date=July 2, 2007 |author=Public Affairs Office |publisher=Library of Congress}}</ref>

===2008–2013: ''So Beautiful or So What'' and touring===
[[File:Paul Simon 25-07-2008 1.jpg|thumb|240px|Simon performing live in [[Mainz]], Germany, July 25, 2008]]

After living in [[Montauk, New York]], for many years, Simon relocated to [[New Canaan, Connecticut|New Canaan]], Connecticut.<ref>Lorentzen, Amy. "Simon campaigns in Iowa for Dodd," [[Associated Press]] news article as printed in ''[[The Advocate (Stamford)|The Advocate]]'' of [[Stamford, Connecticut]], with the words "Simon, who lives in New Canaan" added by editors at ''The Advocate''. The words are not found in other versions of the article printed elsewhere, July 7, 2007</ref> He is one of a small number of performers who are named as the [[copyright]] owner on their recordings (most records have the recording company as the named owner). This development followed the [[Bee Gees]]' successful $200 million lawsuit against [[RSO Records]], the largest successful suit against a record company by an artist or group. All of Simon's solo recordings, including those originally issued by [[Columbia Records]], are distributed by [[Sony Records]]' [[Legacy Recordings]] unit. His albums were issued by [[Warner Music Group]] until mid-2010, when Simon moved his catalog of solo work from [[Warner Bros. Records]] to [[Sony Records|Sony/Columbia Records]], which holds the Simon & Garfunkel catalog.

In February 2009, Simon performed back-to-back shows in New York City at the recently renovated [[Beacon Theatre, New York|Beacon Theatre]]. He was joined by Garfunkel and the cast of ''The Capeman'' in the first show. The band included ''Graceland'' bassist [[Bakithi Kumalo]]. In May 2009, Simon toured with Garfunkel in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, and in October they appeared together at the 25th anniversary of the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] concert at [[Madison Square Garden]] in New York City. Also in October, [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]] performed "[[The Wanderer (Dion song)|The Wanderer]]" with Simon at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame#25th anniversary concert|25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042ZH87C/ |title=The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts (4CD)|website=Amazon|access-date=November 25, 2011}}</ref> In April 2010, Simon & Garfunkel performed together again at the [[New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|last=McCusker|first=John|title=The sun shined at New Orleans Jazz Fest, even if Simon and Garfunkel's harmonies didn't|url=http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2010/04/simon_and_garfunkel.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428220847/http://www.nola.com/jazzfest/index.ssf/2010/04/simon_and_garfunkel.html|archive-date=April 28, 2010|access-date=July 15, 2011|work=The Times-Picayune|publisher=NOLA.com}}</ref>

Simon released a new song, "Getting Ready for Christmas Day", on November 10, 2010. It premiered on [[National Public Radio]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Boilen |first=Bob |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2010/11/15/131334776/paul-simon-s-new-christmas-song |title=Premiere: New Music From Paul Simon : All Songs Considered Blog |publisher=NPR |date=November 16, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> and is included on the album ''[[So Beautiful or So What]]''. The song sampled a 1941 sermon by [[Reverend J. M. Gates|J. M. Gates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldweirdamerica.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/42-43-must-be-born-again-and-oh-death-where-is-thy-sting-by-rev-j-m-gates/ |title=Includes complete recording of 'Getting Ready for Christmas Day' |publisher=Oldweirdamerica.wordpress.com |date=November 6, 2010 |access-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> Simon performed the song on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' on December 16, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cc.com/episodes/8air2f/the-colbert-report-december-16-2010-paul-simon-season-6-ep-161 |title=The Colbert Report – Amy Sedaris/Paul Simon |publisher=Comedy Central |date=December 16, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2021}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In the first show of the final season of ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' on September 10, 2010, Simon performed a song that commemorated the show's 25 years, an update of a song he wrote for its 10th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oprah.com/own-oprahshow/paul-simon-surprise-oprah-with-a-special-performance-video|title=Paul Simon Surprise Oprah with a Special Performance – Video|publisher=Oprah.com|date=September 13, 2010|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref> Simon's next album, ''[[So Beautiful or So What]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/books/review/Simon-t.html|work=The New York Times|first=Paul|last=Simon|title=Book Review – Finishing The Hat – By Stephen Sondheim|date=October 27, 2010}}</ref> was released on the [[Concord Music Group]] label on April 12, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/albums/So-Beautiful-Or-So-What/|title=Paul Simon, catalog and track list|publisher=Concordmusicgroup.com|date=April 12, 2011|access-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> and Simon said it was the best work he had done in 20 years. It was reported that he had wanted to have [[Bob Dylan]] perform on the album.

At the end of his 2011 World Tour, which included the U.S., the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, Simon appeared at [[Ramat Gan Stadium]] in Israel in July 2011, his first concert appearance in Israel since 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulsimon.com/news/paul-simon-concert-tour-starts-april-15th |title=Paul Simon Concert Tour Starts April 15th! &#124; The Official Paul Simon Site |date=April 14, 2011 |publisher=Paulsimon.com |access-date=June 5, 2012}}</ref> On the 10th anniversary of the [[September 11 attacks]], he performed "[[The Sound of Silence]]" at the [[National September 11 Memorial & Museum]] in New York, on the site of the destroyed [[World Trade Center site|World Trade Center]].

[[File:Paul Simon in 2012 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|240px|Simon paying tribute to musicians [[Leonard Cohen]] and [[Chuck Berry]], the recipients of the first annual PEN Awards for songwriting excellence, at the [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum]] on February 26, 2012]]

On February 26, 2012, Simon paid tribute to fellow musicians [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Leonard Cohen]], who had received the first annual PEN Awards for songwriting excellence at the [[John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|JFK Presidential Library]].<ref name="PEN Awards 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/Boston/names/2012/02/leonard-cohen-and-chuck-berry-celebrated-the-jfk-library/pme86jnpLDKP4XYIMJi3XN/index.html |title=Leonard Cohen and Chuck Berry celebrated at the JFK Library |last1=Shanahan |first1=Mark |last2=Goldstein |first2=Beth |date=February 26, 2012 |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=March 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229224324/http://www.boston.com/Boston/names/2012/02/leonard-cohen-and-chuck-berry-celebrated-the-jfk-library/pme86jnpLDKP4XYIMJi3XN/index.html |archive-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, Simon released a 25th-anniversary box set of ''Graceland'' that included a remastered edition of the original album; the 2012 documentary film ''Under African Skies;'' the original 1987 "African Concert" from [[Zimbabwe]]; an audio narrative, ''The Story of Graceland'', related by Simon; and other interviews and memorabilia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Simon's Graceland – official website |url=http://www.paulsimon.com/us/graceland25/music|access-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> He played a few concerts in Europe with the original musicians to commemorate the anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Simon looks back on the anniversary of the amazing "Graceland" |url=http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/11/paul-simon-looks-back-on-the-anniversary-of-the-amazing-graceland/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015001811/http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/10/11/paul-simon-looks-back-on-the-anniversary-of-the-amazing-graceland/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2012|access-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> On December 19, 2012, Simon performed at the funeral of [[Victoria Leigh Soto]], a teacher killed in the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting]].<ref name="NYDailyNews">{{cite news|title=Paul Simon sings at funeral of Sandy Hook heroine teacher Victoria Leigh Soto as Newtown lays to rest another hero school staffer and four slain students|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/day-mourning-newtown-article-1.1223676|access-date=December 19, 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|date=December 19, 2012|first1=Barry|last1=Paddock|first2=Chelsia Rose|last2=Marcius|first3=Corky|last3=Siemaszko|quote=Simon sang 'The Sound of Silence', the favorite song of Soto, who was the teacher who shielded students from [[Adam Lanza]]'s bullets.}}</ref> On June 14, 2013, on [[Sting (musician)|Sting]]'s [[Back to Bass Tour]], Simon performed "[[The Boxer]]" and Sting's "[[Fields of Gold]]" with Sting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Paul Simon Surprise Guest at Sting's Atlantic City Concert|url=http://www.paulsimon.com/us/news/paul-simon-suprise-guest-stings-atlantic-city-concert|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013}}</ref> In September 2013, he delivered the Richard Ellmann Lecture in Modern Literature at [[Emory University]].

===2014–2022: ''Stranger to Stranger'' and ''In the Blue Light''===
In 2014, Simon embarked on a joint 21-date concert tour of North America, [[On Stage Together Tour|On Stage Together]], with English musician [[Sting (musician)|Sting]].<ref name="On Stage Together Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/paul-simon-sting-interview-tour-collaborating-new-music-5901154/ |title=Paul Simon and Sting Q&A: Tour Mates on Shared Music DNA and Future 'Writing' |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |first=Gary |last=Graff |date=February 10, 2014 |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref> The tour continued in 2015 with ten shows in Australia and New Zealand<ref name="On Stage Together AUS NZL">{{cite web|url=http://www.sting.com/news/title/sting-paul-simon-on-stage-together-second-final-perth-show-added |title=Sting & Paul Simon: On Stage Together – Second & Final Perth Show Added! |publisher=Sting.com |date=July 10, 2014 |access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sting.com/news/title/sting-paul-simon-on-stage-together-final-new-zealand-show-confirmed |title=Sting & Paul Simon: On Stage Together – Final New Zealand Show Confirmed! |publisher=Sting.com |date=August 25, 2014 |access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref> and 23 in Europe.<ref name="On Stage Together Europe">{{cite web|url=http://www.paulsimon.com/us/news/belfast-date-added-paul-simon-sting-stage-together-2015-european-tour |title=Belfast date added for 'Paul Simon & Sting: On stage together' 2015 European toue |publisher=PaulSimon.com |date=November 13, 2014 |access-date=November 24, 2014}}</ref>

Simon made a surprise appearance in ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'' on September 11, 2015. He performed "[[Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard]]" with Colbert, having been billed before the show as a Simon & Garfunkel Tribute Band.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kreps |first=Daniel |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-stephen-colbert-paul-simon-form-troubled-waters-on-late-show-55486/ |title=Watch Stephen Colbert, Paul Simon Perform as Troubled Waters |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref> He also performed "American Tune", which was posted on the show's YouTube channel. In 2015, [[Dion DiMucci|Dion]] released the single "[[Stranger to Stranger#Track listing|New York Is My Home]]" with Simon.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Grow |first=Kory |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-dion-paul-simon-duet-on-heartfelt-new-york-is-my-home-20151112 |title=Hear Dion, Paul Simon Duet on Heartfelt 'New York Is My Home' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=November 12, 2015 |access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref>

Simon wrote and performed the theme song for comedian [[Louis C.K.]]'s show ''[[Horace and Pete]]'', which debuted on January 30, 2016. The song is heard during the show's opening, intermission, and closing credits and features Simon's voice and acoustic guitar. Simon made a cameo appearance onscreen in the series' final episode. On June 3, 2016, he released his 13th solo studio album, ''[[Stranger to Stranger]]'', on Concord Records''.''<ref name="simontour">{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Andy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paul-simon-plots-expansive-tour-ahead-of-new-album-stranger-to-stranger-114526/ |title=Paul Simon Plots Expansive Tour Ahead of New Album 'Stranger to Stranger' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=February 22, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref>

In 2011, Simon was introduced to Italian [[electronic dance music]] artist [[Clap! Clap!]] by his son, Adrian, who was a fan of his work. They met in 2011 when Simon was touring ''So Beautiful or So What'' in Italy. Simon collaborated with him on three songs, and also worked with longtime friend [[Roy Halee]], who co-produced the album. After the release of the album, Simon said he was no longer interested in showbiz and talked about retirement. He said, "I am going to see what happens if I let go".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/paul-simon-hints-retirement-7423319/|title=Paul Simon Hints at Retirement: 'I Am Going to See What Happens If I let Go'|last=Brandle|first=Lars|date=June 30, 2016|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/nyregion/paul-simon-retirement-stranger-to-stranger.html|title=Could This Be the End of Paul Simon's Rhymin'?|last=Dwyer|first=Jim|date=June 28, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref>

Simon performed "[[Bridge over Troubled Water (song)|Bridge over Troubled Water]]" at the [[2016 Democratic National Convention]] on July 25, 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Johnson|first1=Ted|title=Paul Simon, Demi Lovato to Perform on Opening Night of Democratic Convention|url=https://variety.com/2016/music/news/paul-simon-demi-lovato-democratic-national-convention-1201822403/|access-date=July 26, 2016|date=July 25, 2016}}</ref> He debuted a new version of "Questions for the Angels" with jazz guitarist [[Bill Frisell]] on ''[[The Late Show with Stephen Colbert]]'' on May 24, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wjbdradio.com/music-news/2017/05/25/paul-simon-stephen-colbert-update-the-59th-street-bridge-song-feelin-groovy-for-2017|title=Paul Simon & Stephen Colbert update "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" for 2017|publisher=ABC Radio|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527174737/http://www.wjbdradio.com/music-news/2017/05/25/paul-simon-stephen-colbert-update-the-59th-street-bridge-song-feelin-groovy-for-2017|archive-date=May 27, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On February 5, 2018, Simon announced his intention to retire from touring, citing time away from his family and the death of longtime guitarist [[Vincent Nguini]]. He did not rule out performing live again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paulsimon.com/news/statement-from-paul-simon/|title=Statement from Paul Simon|date=February 5, 2018|work=[paulsimon.com]|access-date=February 5, 2018}}</ref> He began a farewell concert tour, Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour, in May 2018 in Vancouver, Canada, and performed shows across North America and Europe. He played his final concert in Queens, New York, on September 22, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nextavenue.org/simon-without-garfunkel-says-goodbye/|title=Simon (Without Garfunkel) Says Goodbye|date=February 16, 2018|work=Next Avenue|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, Simon released his 14th solo studio album, ''[[In the Blue Light]]'', which consisted of re-recordings of lesser-known songs from his catalog, some with altered arrangements, harmonic structures and lyrics.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/paul-simon-reworks-old-favorites-on-new-album-in-the-blue-light-698298/|title=Paul Simon Reworks Old Favorites on New Album 'In the Blue Light'|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=July 12, 2018|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 12, 2018}}</ref> On August 11, 2019, he returned to live performance when he closed San Francisco's ''Outside Lands'' festival in Golden Gate Park. He said he planned to donate his net proceeds to local environmental nonprofit organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicnewsnet.com/2019/03/paul-simon-to-return-to-stage-for-augusts-outside-lands-fest.html|title=Paul Simon To Return to Stage for August's Outside Lands Fest|website=Music News Net|access-date=March 22, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322163346/https://www.musicnewsnet.com/2019/03/paul-simon-to-return-to-stage-for-augusts-outside-lands-fest.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[American Songwriter]]'' honored [[Dion DiMucci|Dion's]] "[[Sam Cooke#Posthumous honors|Song for Sam Cooke (Here in America)]]", featuring Simon, as the "Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://americansongwriter.com/greatest-of-the-great-2020-songs-dion-with-paul-simon-song-for-sam-cooke-here-in-america/|title=Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs: Dion with Paul Simon, "Song for Sam Cooke (Here In America)."|date=November 22, 2020|website=Americansongwriter.com|access-date=March 18, 2022}}</ref> Simon sold his music publishing catalog to [[Sony Music Publishing]] in March 2021. He was previously signed to [[Universal Music Publishing Group]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/paul-simon-sells-song-catalog-sony-music-publishing/|title=Paul Simon Sells Song Catalog to Sony Music Publishing|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref>

===2023–present: ''Seven Psalms'' and return to touring===
Simon released a new album, ''[[Seven Psalms]]'', in April 2023. A documentary of the project, ''[[In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon]]'', was made by [[Alex Gibney]].<ref name="Nast 2023">{{cite web | title=Paul Simon Announces New Album Seven Psalms | website=Pitchfork | date=April 12, 2023 | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/paul-simon-announces-new-album-seven-psalms/ | access-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref> The album was described as 33 minutes of uninterrupted musical meditation, consisting of seven pieces performed on acoustic guitar, linked by a motif derived from "Anji", with elements of folk, blues, and jazz, and lyrics that reflect on life, death, and faith.<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/> The inspiration for the album came to Simon in 2020. He recalled, "I had a dream so vivid it made me get up in the middle of the night and write it down ... a voice said 'You are meant to be working on a piece called 'Seven Psalms'."<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/>

For the next few months, isolated by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] on a Texas ranch, Simon worked on a series of guitar pieces and added sounds like distant church bells produced by amplified upside-down wine glasses. He said, "I envisioned ''Seven Psalms'' as one long thought, combined with sounds powerful enough to make the thought come alive."<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/> In December 2023, Simon rehearsed ''Seven Psalms'' with two acoustic guitarists. He said he missed performing and hoped that it might be possible to play the album live.<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/>

Simon had planned to retire from music, but after the success of ''Seven Psalms'', he completed another song, composed four more guitar pieces, and was planning an album of duets with his wife, singer [[Edie Brickell]]. He was also in the early stages of working on a musical.<ref name="Will Hodgkinson-2023"/> In a May 2023 interview with ''[[The Times]]'', he said he had lost most of the hearing in his left ear.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cairns |first1=Dan |title=Paul Simon: losing my hearing — and why I'm writing songs again |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/paul-simon-losing-my-hearing-and-why-im-writing-songs-again-3c65mms7n?ts=1684867178524 |website=The Times |date=May 20, 2023 |publisher=Times Media Limited |access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> In February 2025, Simon performed "Homeward Bound" with [[Sabrina Carpenter]] at a 50th-anniversary special for ''Saturday Night Live''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=2025-02-17 |title=Sabrina Carpenter & Paul Simon Open 'SNL50' Anniversary Special With 'Homeward Bound' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/snl-50-sabrina-carpenter-paul-simon-homeward-bound-1235903757/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref> That month, he announced the Quiet Celebration Tour, comprising performances in smaller venues in cities across the U.S. and Canada.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2025-02-18 |title=Paul Simon Un-Retires, Announces Dates for 2025 Spring/Summer 'A Quiet Celebration Tour' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/paul-simon-dates-2025-spring-summer-quiet-celebration-tour-1235904376/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref>