Paul Simon Discusses Quitting Songwriting

Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon will release a new album Stranger To Stranger via Concord Records on June 3. In a recent interview, Simon revealed that his upcoming 13th solo album being issued as an 11-track standard edition and 16-track deluxe edition could be his last attempt at writing new songs.

Simon spoke with NPR Music’s Bob Boilen for the All Songs Considered series during which he the pair discussed at length the recording of the album single “The Werewolf.” While breaking down the album’s lead track, Simon explains his choices for instrumentation, the length of the intro, lyrical composition and working with Italian producer Clap! Clap!.

Toward the end of the interview the focus turned more generally to Simon’s songwriting process. Describing his the evolution of his craft over his lengthy career, Simon pondered giving up songwriting, or a least giving the change a try. When asked if he ever imagines not writing new songs, Simon explained:

Lately I’ve thought quite a bit about not doing it … I wonder what happens if I simply prohibit myself from expressing whatever the creative urge is, if I do not allow that to happen in song or music form. I’m sort of willing to give it a year or so. I think maybe in the beginning it’ll be frustrating and annoying and I’ll want to go back to the other way. But if I stay with the rules maybe I’ll discover some other outlet.

Listen to the full conversation – in which Simon also reveals he’ll never write a memoir but will always have his guitar on hand to play – below: