Paul Simon (Extended) | It's Not The Heat, It's The Stupidity

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: Paul Simon (Extended) | It's Not The Heat, It's The Stupidity
Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Paul Simon
Description: In this extended episode, Stephen Colbert engages in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon. They delve into topics ranging from Juneteenth celebrations and current political climates to Paul Simon’s personal challenges with hearing loss and his creative process in music composition.

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1. Opening Remarks and Juneteenth Celebration

Timestamp: [02:00] - [03:55]

Stephen Colbert opens the episode by commemorating Juneteenth, emphasizing its significance as a day celebrating freedom and the end of slavery in America. He highlights the historical context, noting that on June 19, 1865, Union Army Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of the Civil War to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, two months after General Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Notable Quote:

• Stephen Colbert: "Juneteenth is a day of joy. [...] you can't cancel Juneteenth. There's been communities celebrating this since 1866." [02:45]

Colbert also touches on contemporary political controversies, mentioning former President Donald Trump's executive order against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which aimed to halt federal recognitions of holidays like Juneteenth. He asserts the resilience of communities in preserving their joy and freedom despite such political challenges.

---

2. Lighthearted Banter and Current Events

Timestamp: [03:55] - [11:09]

The conversation shifts to lighter topics, including humorous exchanges and Stephen's characteristic wit. Topics include:

• Weather Predictions: Stephen humorously discusses an upcoming heatwave forecasted to impact millions, likening meteorologists’ heat maps to those "after eating Cheetos."

  Notable Quote:

  • Stephen Colbert: "They're in the hot zone, where temperatures are set to go up to 100 degrees." [07:45]

• Elon Musk's SpaceX Launch: Stephen comments on Elon Musk's focus on space exploration, particularly highlighting the recent unmanned Starship rocket launch from Starbase, Texas.

• Political Satire: The discussion includes satirical takes on Donald Trump's potential military actions and his critiques of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

  Notable Quote:

  • Stephen Colbert: "Trump understands that starting a war in the Middle East is a lot like quitting your sales job at Best Buy. It's just polite." [10:29]

These segments showcase Stephen's ability to blend humor with commentary on current events, setting a lively tone before the main interview.

---

3. Introduction of Paul Simon and Personal Challenges

Timestamp: [15:52] - [17:44]

Paul Simon is warmly introduced as the first guest of the night. Stephen compliments Paul on his recent performances in New York, particularly praising the new album "Seven Psalms" debuted at the Beacon Theatre.

Notable Quote:

• Stephen Colbert: "The first, basically half hour of the concert is your album Seven Psalms which is absolutely beautiful." [16:21]

Paul Simon shares a personal challenge he faced—hearing loss that occurred between his previous tour in 2018 and the current one. He discusses how this affected his ability to perform with other musicians and the adjustments he and his sound engineer made to accommodate his hearing impairment.

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Simon: "I have a hearing loss that occurred in between that tour and now, and I didn't think that it was possible for me to be able to perform again with other musicians because of the hearing loss." [16:45]
• Paul Simon: "We came up with this idea to put a speaker right next to my good ear. And that gives me enough sound to hear the guitars." [17:44]

Stephen empathizes, sharing his own experience of being deaf in one ear and humorously suggesting Paul stole his idea for audio adjustments.

---

4. Paul Simon’s Musical Journey and Songwriting Process

Timestamp: [17:44] - [28:29]

The discussion delves deep into Paul Simon’s illustrious musical career, focusing on his songwriting process and the evolution of his sound.

• Overcoming Hearing Loss: Paul elaborates on adapting his performance setup to continue creating and performing music despite his hearing challenges.

• Songwriting Evolution: Paul reflects on how his songwriting has changed over the years, moving from guitar-driven compositions to more collaborative storytelling with other musicians.

  Notable Quote:

  • Paul Simon: "I don't see why I should be limited by my guitaristic ability. I can work with other musicians and think about storytelling in that context." [22:09]

• "Sound of Silence" Anecdote: Paul shares a fascinating story about how a young girl in an Amazon village played "Sound of Silence" on the flute without knowing he was the original composer, highlighting the song's universal impact.

  Notable Quote:

  • Paul Simon: "If any of my songs have a chance of making it to be 100 years, lasting 100 years, I think it may be that one." [23:55]

• Creative Inspirations: Paul discusses the importance of first lines in songs, illustrating with examples from his hits like "You Can Call Me Al" and "The Sound of Silence." He explains how initial lines set the stage for storytelling within his music.

  Notable Quote:

  • Paul Simon: "At least I know so I've got a character now, you know?" [28:29]

---

5. Emotional Connection and Performance Choices

Timestamp: [27:01] - [27:39]

Stephen inquires about Paul's decision to perform "Wartime Prayers" during his concert, to which Paul explains the song's relevance to current global tensions and the universal sorrow it conveys.

Notable Quote:

• Paul Simon: "You can really see it and feel it. [...] that we're still, as a species dropping bombs on each other." [27:07]

This segment underscores Paul's commitment to using his platform to address profound and pressing issues through his music.

---

6. Collaboration and Performance with Edie Brickell

Timestamp: [31:34] - [32:59]

Paul Simon speaks about collaborating with his wife, Edie Brickell, during performances. He introduces the song "The Sacred Harp," describing its narrative about driving through Texas, picking up hitchhikers, and the stories they share, which offer new perspectives.

Notable Quote:

• Paul Simon: "It's about driving through what I imagine to be Texas and picking up two hitchhikers and hearing their story and what they have to say." [31:56]

Stephen expresses gratitude for the collaboration and encourages listeners to stay tuned for their performance.

---

7. Closing Remarks and Final Performance Tease

Timestamp: [32:59] - [34:00]

Stephen wraps up the episode by thanking Paul Simon and encouraging listeners to watch his performances. The episode concludes with promotional content for "Fire Country" and other shows available on Paramount+.

---

Conclusion

This episode of "The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert" offers a rich and engaging conversation with Paul Simon, blending personal anecdotes, reflections on music and creativity, and insightful commentary on societal issues. Paul's candid discussion about overcoming hearing loss and adapting his performance style provides inspiration, while his stories about iconic songs like "The Sound of Silence" reveal the enduring impact of his artistry. Stephen Colbert's humor and thoughtful questions create a comfortable space for an in-depth and meaningful dialogue, making this episode a must-listen for fans of Paul Simon and engaging interviews alike.

Additional Highlights:

• Hearing Loss Adaptation: Paul Simon’s innovative approach to modifying his performance setup showcases resilience and dedication to his craft.
• Timeless Music: The enduring legacy of Paul Simon’s songs, particularly "The Sound of Silence," is highlighted through personal and global anecdotes.
• Collaborative Spirit: The partnership between Paul Simon and Edie Brickell emphasizes the importance of collaboration in creating meaningful music.

Listeners who haven’t tuned into the podcast will find this summary captures the essence of the conversation, offering a glimpse into the nuanced and heartfelt exchange between Stephen Colbert and Paul Simon.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Welcome. Welcome one and all in here out there to the Late show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. I just want to start off tonight. You know, of course, you got some joy in the house tonight. I want to start by saying happy Juneteenth, everybody. Happy Juneteenth. Great day. Day to celebrate freedom. It's a day. It's a day that commemorates the end of slavery in America. Specifically, June 19, 1865, the day that Union Army Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told a group of enslaved people that the Civil War had ended. Of course, Lee had actually surrendered at Appomattox back in April, so that news had traveled slowly. In fact, according to some flags I've seen on boats, that news has not reached parts of my home state of South Carolina yet. Juneteenth is a day of joy. So Donald Trump doesn't like it on Is this really the first day? On the first day of this administration, he signed an executive order against what he called DEI that forced federal agencies to halt all activities linked to holidays like MLK Day, Black History Month, and Juneteenth. So he wants celebrating Juneteenth to be controversial now. Well, I don't care if this loses me advertisers. I have to speak my mind. Jim, meet me at the Courage Cam. I think slavery was wrong. Where do I find it? Where do I find it? Where's it come from? This administration may want to erase this holiday, but as one activist said, you can't cancel Juneteenth. There's been communities celebrating this since 1866. That's right. You cannot stop people from celebrating freedom. You can't make them turn down their joy. Come on. It's a sentiment best expressed by one of our great American poets.

[Paul Simon]

Turn down for what?

[Stephen Colbert]

Nothing. For nothing.

[Paul Simon]

For nothing.

[Stephen Colbert]

If you're celebrating Juneteenth, please remember to celebrate responsibly. Or please forget that, because reportedly, the US Dietary Guidelines will soon scrap its daily limit of alcohol. Way ahead of you. Welcome to RFK Jr. S Health and Human Services, everybody, where vaccine shots are discouraged, but tequila shots are not. And there's no need to worry about measles. Let's just get around to Jager bombs for the neonatal ward, shall we? Now, keep in mind, this mindless nonsense isn't coming out of nowhere because major alcohol industry players have lobbied lawmakers throughout the review process. Well, at least the alcohol industry is finally being consistent. For years, Coors was telling us to drink responsibly and never operate heavy machinery. All the while, their mascot was a train that runs on beer. So. So. Not sure why I sound so angry. What are. It's the alcohol. That's why. So what are the new recommendations for Chuggalugan? The updated dietary guidelines are expected to include a brief statement encouraging Americans to drink in moderation. Yes, because that is something Americans are great at. Moderation. It's why our most beloved meal is Doritos. Reasonable tacos. Go for some of that. Go for some of that. Right now, here in New York, today was what meteorologists call steamier than Beelzebub's butt crack. Did you guys enjoy that out there in line? Not even. It's not even officially summer yet. That doesn't start until the solstice, which marks the longest day of the year. Now, the solstice normally falls on 21 June, but this year, the longest day has been every day. And that's my only Marlon Brando. That's my only Brando impression. The hot is about to heat up, everybody. Starting tomorrow. Starting tomorrow, the meteorologists are forecasting a massive heat wave across the US with temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 degrees for 35 million people. The nation has not seen anything this hot since the release of my Romantasy novel, A Court of Butts and Bigger Buts. Will. Will the Baroness give in to her forbidden lust for the Centaur king? The answer is sex. We'll also be getting tropical levels of humidity, which means it's time to break out my straw fedora. There you go.

[Paul Simon]

Or.

[Stephen Colbert]

Or as my wife Evie calls it, the deal breaker. Take a look at this bonkers heat map for next week. The light pink at top means caution. The darker pink is extreme caution, and the dark orange is where the meteorologists touch the map after eating Cheetos. As you can see, we here in New York, we're in the hot zone, where temperatures are set to go up to 100 degrees. Now, normally, to get that sweaty in New York City, you have to get on the subway and read my Romantasy sequel, A Sword of Waves and Penis.

[Paul Simon]

Will.

[Stephen Colbert]

Will the Mer Princess finally succumb to Poseidon's throbbing triad? The answer is so steamy, you might need the deal breaker. I look too good. I look too good in this.

[Paul Simon]

Thanks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Speaking of pale sea creatures, Elon Musk, Old E town, is taking a break from destroying our government so it can focus on his companies like SpaceX. And last night in Starbase, Texas was the big launch of the unmanned starship rocket. It was an opportunity for Elon to do what he does best. Jim, here we go. They're testing the blamo. I just want to be clear, folks. I just want to be clear. I believe in space exploration passionately. So while we have our distances, I just want to say to Elon, Ha ha. Still, you can fix this stuff, right? Still. Still. Success, failure, it's all part of the romance of rocket science. It reminds me of my favorite Elton John song, she Packed My Bags Last night. We fly. He's fine, he's fine, he's fine, he's fine. As we speak, my friends, as we speak, America stands on the brink of the precipice of the edge of possibly finding out if Donald Trump is going to bomb Iran. We've all been desperately trying to read Trump's tea leaves, his type of tea in Santa. Well, this afternoon. Quality, quality junk.

[Paul Simon]

What do you got out of here?

[Commercial Speaker]

Quality junk.

[Stephen Colbert]

Quality joke.

[Paul Simon]

I got it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Takes his time. All the best things take time. This afternoon, White House Press Secretary Caroline.

[Commercial Speaker]

Levitt said, I have a message directly from the President, and I quote, based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes, because two weeks notice is so important. Trump understands. Trump understands that starting a war in the Middle east is a lot like quitting your sales job at Best Buy. It's just polite.

[Paul Simon]

Uh oh.

[Stephen Colbert]

Oh. It's possible Trump hasn't made up his mind about bombing Iran because he's too distracted by the stuff he wants to destroy here. Cuz now he's got his sights on the Federal Reserve. Yesterday, sitting Fed chair Jerome Powell held interest rates steady. He didn't lower them, but Trump wants them. So this morning he posted Too late. Jerome Powell is costing our country hundreds of billions of dollars. Too Late's an American disgrace. You want a real American disgrace? That half assed nickname? Too Late. Too late? You can't do better than too late. What about Loose Bowel Jerome Powell? Or what about. Hold on, what about Jerome Jerome the business Gnome won't lower mortgage rates on your home. Come. This country used to have standards. Meatball Ron, Sloppy Steve, Little Marco. Yesterday at his big dumb foal flag brag with the poll, Trump proposed a replacement for Powell. And you'll never guess. You know who he said. Maybe I should go to the Fed. Am I allowed to point myself, Doug? I don't know. Am I allowed to appoint myself at the Fed? I do a much better job than these people. Okay, so he's president, he's Commander in Chief, he's chair of the Kennedy center, and now he wants to run the Fed. I doubt he could keep all of those straight. Ladies and gentlemen, as chair of the Fed, I am announcing a revival of Cats. Okay, Here to announce. Bring him in. Here to announce our new interest rate. Mungo Jerry and Rumpel Teaser. Skimbleshanks. Couldn't be here because he's flying a stealth bomber over Tehran right now. Memories. I wish I still had memories, but my brain's made of pudding. Yum, yum, yum, yum. My brain. We got a great show for you tonight.

[Commercial Speaker]

Coming up.

[Paul Simon]

Paul Simon.

[Commercial Speaker]

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[Stephen Colbert]

Now streaming. When everything's on the line, real heroes rise to the occasion.

[Paul Simon]

TV's hottest show is Fire Country.

[Stephen Colbert]

We're firefighters.

[Commercial Speaker]

We're gonna find a way to get.

[Stephen Colbert]

You out of here.

[Paul Simon]

We take the hitch together. We're on the same team. I'm right here with you no matter what.

[Stephen Colbert]

I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family Fire Country. All episodes now streaming on Paramount plus friends. Just want to let everybody know out there. Is that right now. Please, you can go out right now. Go onto your computer. You can download Lewis new single right here. It is called Black Man Blues. Fantastic.

[Paul Simon]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Released on Juneteenth. Absolutely. There you go. Fantastic song.

[Paul Simon]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Ladies and gentlemen, my first guest tonight is a singer and a songwriter who needs no introduction. Please welcome back to the Late Show. Paul Simon. Nice to Nice to see you again. Always. I always like talking to you.

[Paul Simon]

I. I do too.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah. Such a such a pleasure. You're in New York right now as part of your tour. A quiet celebration.

[Paul Simon]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

I saw you guys last night at the Beacon. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed the first basically half hour of the concert is your album Seven Psalms which is absolutely beautiful. Especially sing Cohesively together, all as one. And then, of course, the old hits. You know, everybody loves the old hits. It's the first time you're back on the road since 2018. Before COVID definitely, right?

[Paul Simon]

Definitely. Yeah. Well, as we talked about the last time I was on the show, I have a hearing loss that occurred in between that tour and now, and I didn't think that it was possible for me to be able to perform again with other musicians because of the hearing loss.

[Stephen Colbert]

But everything you have to take in and keeping pitch and stuff like that.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah, it was too much. Too much sound for me to be able to comfortably fit my voice in there and feel like I was making music. But working with. And working with my sound engineer, we came up with this idea to put a speaker right over here, right. Right next to the. My good ear. And that gives me enough sound to hear the guitars.

[Stephen Colbert]

So it gives you everything that you would be grabbing on your left ear and putting it over there.

[Paul Simon]

No, I don't think much is. I don't think much is coming through on that ear. It's got, like, 4 or 5%.

[Stephen Colbert]

No, I mean, the stuff that you would be getting from your left ear is over in your right. Like the stuff that.

[Paul Simon]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

Sound over here to whatever. Yeah, that wedge.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah, to whatever degree I hear it, it kind of leak. It kind of leaks in. But.

[Stephen Colbert]

But the reason I ask is that I'm deaf in this ear.

[Paul Simon]

I know.

[Stephen Colbert]

And I always interview people on the side, and I've got a little wedge down here where your mic is coming through there into my good ear.

[Paul Simon]

I know. You told me.

[Stephen Colbert]

So you stole my idea. Just say. Just say some of my ideas are from. That's all I'm asking. Just be honest about it. Is just in concert. Start the concert saying, some of this is due to Stephen Colbert.

[Paul Simon]

I'll do that. But please do. I really appreciate your generosity.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're welcome. Well, here you are. This is you. This is the first night. This was down in New Orleans. Yeah, this is the first night. Okay. This was April 4th, so you haven't, like, you spent your whole life performing in front of crowds of people, and so this is the first time in seven years.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

That you've done that. What did that feel like for you to go out and do that?

[Paul Simon]

Well, the first night, I was actually nervous. I never get nervous about performing because I've been doing it since I'm 16. You know, professionally. Since I'm 16. But I was nervous that night because I didn't know what would happen In a theater. You know, I'd rehearsed in a little studio, but in a theater. So, yeah, it was an unusual feeling, but. And the show was. It was really pretty good for just the beginning, you know. It's much improved as we keep playing the show that you saw last night.

[Stephen Colbert]

Pretty great. It was pretty great. Yeah. Yes.

[Paul Simon]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

I wasn't the only one crying.

[Paul Simon]

So, like.

[Stephen Colbert]

You'Ve said, You've said that it is. It's up to your listeners to find meaning in your music that they. The listener completes the song.

[Paul Simon]

I said, yeah, the listener completes the song.

[Stephen Colbert]

Completes the song. Which. Which lyrics? I'm very curious about Seven Psalms again, because it's very. The music is quite complex. The lyrics are quite complex. And some of them are somewhat. Some seem very personal and present and some seem sort of mystical. I'm curious what lyrics from that album leap out to you and are like the most significant ones for you.

[Paul Simon]

Well, there are several lines that are important thematically. No One Dies of Too Much Love is one of them. It seems to me we're all walking down the same road to wherever it ends. But my favorite line in the whole piece is from the song that we're going to sing later, Edie and I, and that's the Sacred Harp. And the line that I like is the Woman Spoke, Her Voice, a blend of regional perfumes. That's my favorite.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's lovely. What's the oldest song? I'm curious. That's. That's. That's. That's your. This is your newest work, at least that we know of. Have you written other things after this?

[Paul Simon]

Yeah, I've written two. Two songs. That's all. It's much harder to write now.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yeah.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah. Because I used to write by playing guitar. And the overtones of the guitar would create some kind of stuff space where it allowed my imagination to go wherever it was inclined to go. But now the sound of the guitar.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is.

[Paul Simon]

Not the same. I can perform with it, but it's not the same.

[Stephen Colbert]

Has that always been your process? Like, you play and then you sort of get moved in the direction by these overtones quite often.

[Paul Simon]

It was until I extended it and said, I don't see why I should be limited by my guitaristic ability. I can work with other musicians and think about storytelling in that context. So there's Mother and Child reunion is with. Well, it was at that time it was the guys who became Toots and the Maytals. And I did that in Jamaica. And then.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is that marimba? What is that sound? What Is that.

[Paul Simon]

No, it's.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's that sound?

[Paul Simon]

Oh, that's a guy named Hux Brown. He's playing it. You can probably do it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Right note. What's the oldest song that you do in the set last night?

[Paul Simon]

The oldest song in there is the Sound of Silence. I wrote it. I wrote it when I was 22 or 23.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's so amazing to me because you've written stylist so many different styles. Your sound has evolved so many ways over the years. But I know that you guys love the Everly Brothers. You love that sound. That's a million miles from the Everly Brothers. The Sound of silence. Why do you think you made that leap at such a young age to such a complex and somber sound?

[Paul Simon]

Complete mystery to me. Honestly, when I wrote it, I thought, whoa, that's pretty good. That's better than.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's pretty good. You're right. It's pretty good. Paul.

[Paul Simon]

I think if any of my songs have a chance of making it to be 100 years, lasting 100 years, I think it may be that one I saw. I was looking on YouTube to hear some Andean flutes, you know, panpipe flutes, for something that I thought about in the show that you saw. And while I was looking through, there was a performance. It wasn't really a performance. It was a Native American, and he was just by himself, and he was wearing a headdress, and he was playing the Sound of Silence. And I thought, wow. I mean, that song, you know, if he's playing it on flute. But I'll tell you an even stranger story about Sound of Silence.

[Stephen Colbert]

Please do. Yeah.

[Paul Simon]

Many years ago, I took a trip down the Amazon, and we stopped at a little village.

[Stephen Colbert]

Was this when you were working on Rhythm of the Saints?

[Paul Simon]

Yeah. No, no, it's before Rhythm of the Saints. It's before. It's like, yeah, maybe in the early 80s or something. And we stopped in this little village. It didn't have any roads. It had, you know, 12 or 14 huts, thatched huts. And we walked around, and in one of the little houses, this girl was playing nylon string guitar and looking at a book. And I said to her through the translator, I know a South American song that's. I know one from Peru. And I played a little bit of El Condor Pasa, you know, do dee doo dee do do dee doo doo. And she said, oh, I know that song. She said, I know an American song. I said, okay, we'll play it. And she played the Sound of Silence.

[Stephen Colbert]

Did she?

[Paul Simon]

We're in the Amazon did she know.

[Stephen Colbert]

That you had written it?

[Paul Simon]

No, of course not. Of course not. I didn't tell her. I wanted to say. Yeah, that's one of mine.

[Stephen Colbert]

I was 22.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah.

[Stephen Colbert]

I don't know where it comes from. Well, I don't know how to follow up on that story right there. Last night. Last night. Last night you ended with, I think, a different song that you planned. Because when I got backstage, one of your guys told me. Oh, yeah, he called an audible on that last song in the. In the. In the encores. You played Wartime Prayers.

[Paul Simon]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Why. Why did you. Why did you play that song?

[Paul Simon]

Feels like we're at that moment where you can really.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Paul Simon]

You can really see it and feel it. Then the. You know, the tragedy and the sorrow of it is so immense that it's almost. Well, you know, it's almost surreal to be living at this moment with all of this going on and that we're still, as a species dropping bombs on each other. It's. Well, you know. And that's why I played that song.

[Stephen Colbert]

You told me that the first line of a song. You've said that the first line of a song is critical, and you've got some great. What are some of your favorite first lines of songs where you think you really hit the ball in the first line?

[Paul Simon]

Well, first of all, I should say the first line is very important, but it's not necessarily critical to what I'm about to say. But I think as a song, I don't much perform anymore. But I think, you know, one of the best first lines I ever wrote was when I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I could think at all. But, you know, a song like you Can Call me Al, Sure, I'm writing.

[Stephen Colbert]

Man Walks down the Street.

[Paul Simon]

Yeah, it was. Because I have no idea what I'm about to talk about. So it's something like, you know, guys, guy walks into a bar, you know, or there was a rabbi, a minister and a priest. You know, it's just how something begins. A man walks down the street. He says, why am I soft in the middle? Why am I soft in the middle? The rest of my life is so hard. Okay, good. At least I know so I've got a character now, you know? And from there, the song builds, and it starts off with this guy who's worried about, you know, that he's soft in the middle. And it ends up with, you know, visiting an African country and seeing angels in the architecture. So the story. The story Grows. But I didn't know what the story was when I. When I wrote the first song, you know.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, you can call me out. Is there an owl? Is there a Betty?

[Paul Simon]

Well, I'll tell you that story too. There was. This was back, let's see. Oh, and maybe in the late 70s, and I was married to my first wife, Peggy, and we were going to have a. We were having a party in our apartment and I invited a bunch of just musicians, you know. And there was one musician, Stanley Silverman, who was a classical composer. And I invited him and he called me and he said, you know, I'd love to come, but I have to escort Pierre Boulez around. Pierre Boulez is, you know, one of the giants of classical music of the 20th century and had just been appointed the. The conductor of the New York Philharmonic. So I said, well, you can bring him if he wants to come. So I said, you know, I doubt it. He called me back, he said, no, Pierre would like to come. I said, oh, great. So he comes and Peggy and I are there, and Stanley says, this is Paul and his wife Peggy. And I say, thank you. It's such a pleasure to meet you. And anyway, you know, this is a group of pretty much stone musicians, you know. And in about 15 minutes, Stanley says, pierre is ready to leave, but he'd like to say goodnight to you and your wife. I say, well, I don't know where she is. But he says, he comes and he says, look, I have to leave now, but thank you, Al, for inviting me. And please also give my thanks to Betty.

[Stephen Colbert]

Fantastic. Fantastic. One of the. As I was saying before, one of the loveliest parts about last night was seeing your wife, Edie Brickell, singing with you on stage. And you guys are gonna do a song tonight that you mentioned before, the Sacred Harp. And what's the story you tell in that song?

[Paul Simon]

It's about driving. Driving through what I imagine to be Texas and picking up two hitchhikers and hearing their story and what they have to say. And again, it starts off with. Well, it starts off course, says a change of mood A summer storm erased the sunny sky Two hapless hitchhikers were signaling us as we were cruising by not in the mood for idle chat or hitchhike company nevertheless, we took them on as highway courtesy. And then Edie comes and introduces, and then the people come in and you hear their story and the story puts everything into some other perspective. It's actually my favorite song on that album.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, thank you for doing it for us. And stick around to hear Paul Simon and Eva Brickell perform the Sacred Heart. Thank you for listening to the Late show pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. Now streaming when everything's on the line, real heroes rise to the occasion.

[Paul Simon]

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[Stephen Colbert]

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[Paul Simon]

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[Paul Simon]

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