Paul Simon - American Tune (1975)

[snap1953]

Look at those chord changes. What a great self-accompanist.

[aparajeya1996]

People still listen to justin bieber, huh, the world has lost it. truely.

[breastlady]

For one year this was the only song I played on my guitar over and over, every single day. Got me through. Bless you Paul.

[greggb777]

@breastlady

And bless you Breastlady

[jayceeblue]

I think it's time I grow a mustache.

[TheCrdero]

en que pitos estaba pensando este hombre al escribir esta rola???

[FreeBirdStone]

@TheCrdero en los mas profundos

[WalkerBros4Ever]

Sublime

[estherkorber]

P E R F E C T I O N

[billtruttschel]

I can't help but wonder....if Paul's mustache brings him magic, musical powers

[SandGandBandD]

@billtruttschel Of course it does!

[NelsonRodrigoMartins]

Excellent! Paul Simon said it for us! Still tomorrow's gonna be a working day, and I'm trying to get some rest.

[drinkyoho]

theres not enough "likes" to even come close to the magnitude of how amazing this song actually is. I'm not American, Scottish infact, its more than an anthemic song for me, in many ways. absolute CRACKER.

[playingmyGib]

Yes, Paul. Even in your "golden age" you still are touching millions.

[MrGwanch]

Paul, you are the man.

[TheGlobalMindProject]

wow! theglobalmindproject.blogspot.­com

[DiabolicalSkeem]

@adamproskiw 28 people at the moment. about to make it 29

[Elizabomb]

There's nothing Paul has done that I haven't loved.

[boomerlady]

cute guy

[Alexandria815]

Coincidence? I watch The Wonder Years a lot, and they play a little song at the end now and then. The first time i heard a Simon and Garfunkel song was on an episode of The Wonder Years. It "spoke to me." So i looked up the lyrics and found more of their music; now they're my favorite duo. Well it happened again. I was watching The Wonder Years and the beginning of this song came on and it "spoke to me" again so i googled the lyrics and found out it was Paul Simon. They are just meant for me:)

[DISPENSER4HIRE]

All the great ones make it look so easy!!

[unclebob53703]

His finest song.

[michaelpiatnekmccoy]

O, Sacred Head Now Wounded? Well, part of it anyway.

[Louie1157able]

That's just tear-in-the-eye good! The lyrics, the singing, the playing...the genius that is Paul Simon

[TheFloridaPappy]

I can’t believe he hasn’t been appreciated for his guitar playing. So elegant and he plays it effortlessly.

[firestartertwistedfi]

@TheFloridaPappy Yes, I heard Art Garfunkel saying that the other day. Surprisingly generous about Simon, he was.

[sandyzmz]

@TheFloridaPappy I think he is in the top 50 of Rolling Stones' greatest guitarists of all time list

[adamproskiw]

26 people watched this with sound turned off.

[JessicaLE46]

gets me every time.

[sbbinahee]

Give me a time machine,it's 1975 for me...

[STEWART22451]

a classic . what a guitarist and songsmith .

[sgtcharlesfloyd]

How could there be any dislikes on this, let alone 26 as of right now? Unbelievable.

[GoldenPig2012]

Don't care about hairstyles, or looks. I DO care about the music that articulates what I cannot. The sense of not fitting, dreams given up, the alone feeling that comes over us as we find our own way. This song expresses the idea that it will be alright if we keep the next right thing in sight.

[JessicaLE46]

@GoldenPig2012 couldn't have said it better. 

[IntoTheMystical]

Happy birthday Paul.

[Bronzewhaler82]

People who dislike this song; I hate you

That is all.

[firecatforty]

Even with the mustache and silly haircut, this is the most beautiful man in the world to me.

[NancyDog]

@firecatforty Yep. Feel the exact same way.

[rocksnob14]

I smell a troll...anyone who could possible compare JB with Mr. Simon must be just trying to get a rise out of everyone.

[mhdenpente]

big talent

[biggerbigd]

Wilco!

[abdef]

Justin Beiber could not hold Paul Simon's jock strap either in singing generally or writing in particular. Get a concept you jerk!! This country is falling apart. Someone should give a s__t once in a while about their fellow man and this would be a much better place. Too much greed!!! Paul Simon is an American treasure. He sees!! Justin Beiber is just an entertainer.

[GirlFromIpanema1966]

Are you saying that Justin Bieber couldn't sing this song ( American Tune )?

[johnfright]

@GirlFromIpanema1966 "Shawty, I dreamed I was flying.." Shut up, bitch.

[Hkepfer]

I can't but wonder what's gone wrong?

G-D bless these United States of America ---& all that is America from Alaska to Tiera del Fuego!

[GirlFromIpanema1966]

I would love to hear Justin Bieber sing this song ( American Tune ); I believe that he could sing it just as good as Paul Simon.

[SoIncrediblyHigh]

@GirlFromIpanema1966

gtfo.

[dog1dog2]

@GirlFromIpanema1966 Sadly, your belief's appear to have no relationship with reality....

[purplepelican69]

@GirlFromIpanema1966 Wow!! What a fabulous sense of humour you have!! Bieber isn't even fit to deliver Paul's groceries.

[GirlFromIpanema1966]

I would love to hear Justin Bieber sing this song ( American Tune ); I believe that he could sing it just as good as Paul Simon.

[ingodscountry75]

ahh thanks paul simon.. this song goes beyond everything...

[MrMystirock]

26 people are hairdressers

[singkayo]

are those 76 person who dont like this song are numb skull....even my orang utans likes this song since i am an indonesian ranger who take care orang utans ...i reckon my orang utans got brain bigger than those who dont like this song...

[ThePolen1]

One of the best songs ever made.

[ThePolen1]

One of the best songs ever made.

[schiavolini]

meravigliosa

[stevebenbob]

Nothing less than respect.

[whodat310]

One of the great 20th Century songwriters. A poet and talented musician, Simon is the Cole Porter of his generation.

[leeroa1]

I could have swore it was Ron Jeremy!! haha

[muhrvis]

This is fantastic -- except for the mustache.

[greenslashpurple]

This song perfectly captures the feeling of being alive during the fall of the American empire and quite possibly even the American dream.

[utherpndrgn8]

@greenslashpurple So sad, and so true.

[StellaOmega]

i don't know a soul that's not been battered, I don't have a friend who feels at ease,

I don't know a dream that's not been shattered, or driven to its knees,

But it's all right, it's all right for we've lived so well so long...

Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on, I wonder what's gone wrong.

[tobesograteful]

After 9/11 my memory did reflect on this beautiful song by Paul Simon, the lyrics are incredible and really reflect on the 9/11 event.  May GOD Bless you, Paul.

[Jayachandran1969]

26 losers, idiots disliked this. Talk about class!

[LJH70122]

Since September 11 , 2011 , this song stirs up a lot of emotion . The lyrics just fit the feelings of that day perfectly. I don't know what's wrong with those dislike people, but this is the land of the free , and they have a right to voice their opinion, Even if that opinion isn't reasonable to normal tihking people.

[JustJake57]

What do you think is the average IQ of the 26 dissenters who listened and didn't get it? Oh well, remember folks. Half the world is average or below. These 26 are obviously permanent residents of the lower quartile.

[TheJerdawn]

I,ve been asked to sing in church this sunday 9/11/11. This beautiful song is all I can think about. Almost like a vision, you might think one of those who lost their life that day, 9/11/01 might have had in their dreams the night before. It's so simple and beautiful. I love you Paul Simon.

[hyperliz2]

golly Mr. Simon, we"re getting older.....ah well, such is life.....

[rockandrollmcdonalds]

paul simon is a damn good musician

[NetBoySteve]

he kinda looks like jim croce here... :)



[muttiplay]

this song as national anthem... NOW!

[lysol5555]

@muttiplay this is the REAL national anthem!

[sumercedrafa]

Querida Moni en estos momentos no hay mejor consuelo que darte que una canción. Esta es mi canci{on favorita a ver si tu la encuentras tan compelling como yo. Se fuerte y llora cuanto puedas, sacalo de tu salud mental. Es duro no saber que hacer pero envidio tu capacidad para salir de la adversidad y sabes que aqui estoy aqui estoy yo para ti. te amo

[mmm9mmm9]

I deducted this song to Roby Herwic 1966 to 1989. He loved Paul Simon.

[amjklaassen]

This song is appropriat for a nation or a person, and it is as relevant now as it was the first time I heard it. It sneaks up on you. I didn't notice it much on the album I had because of the other more sensational songs, but this one lasts and lasts I really love it, and the poetry of Paul Simon has inspired me for years.

[olddrunkable]

The Master.

[yizu10]

This song not only about a nation, but much more

[Bjowolf2]

25 people need new batteries for their hearing aids ...

which they got from listening to crappy hip-hop and rap "music" day after day

at 120 dB for decades ... ;-)



[boomerlady]

Love you Paul. So talented......

[TheIrishlad12]

another moron with a lack of historical knowledge, blaming Obama for W.'s mistakes

[arutkow]

@TheIrishlad12

Name 1 thing Obama can promise more of that will get him re-elected. Spending? Debt? Wars? Unemployment? Taxes? Government intrusion?

Yeah....just shut up and enjoy the song.

[HKwong0502]

I rather like the version in the Park. It's slower.

But anyway, it's a good song.

[Cromag99]

Song apropos for this Obamageddon we're going through now!

[tonymckenziecom]

Listen to the lyrics and then think about 9/11 (RIP) its a perfect fit.

[hothoefries]

@tonymckenziecom how..?

[tonymckenziecom]

@hothoefries Hard to describe but thats what I got from it right after 9/11... its a very powerful song which I think can be interpreted in many ways.

[flamespice]

there are no words for this song <3

[Ameiric]

The tune is based on a melody line from Johann Sebastian Bach's chorale: St. Matthew Passion, itself a reworking of an earlier secular song, "Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret," composed by Hans Hassler. The melody used for "American Tune" can be heard quite distinctly in part 1, n 21 and n 23 and in part 2, n 53. American Tune's melody is practically identical to that of the hymns "Mein G'müt ist mir verwirret" and "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded", although Simon expanded on the tune.

[MrRichardSabsay]

I love this song Paul S is a gift to the would the best song man the US ever gave us.I hope he never stops

[sanghow]

I've sure felt this way many times.....wonderful song, great voice! Will always love Paul Simon!

[lilgannush]

such a beautiful song :)

[aaaaard]

Why this song is so beaukably compelevant is because it has remarked so mainably revalling over the years.

[GemanAussie100]

It's simply unbelievable that this song was produced by a human mind... seems too wonderful to be possible!

[longfootbuddy]

@GemanAussie100 songs like this come from elsewhere...good songs arent written, they write themselves

[lucacallegaro]

@GemanAussie100 Still human, but the biggest genius ever:  /watch?v=B4JYwbWwNSs

[tranurse]

i feel like i'm living this song.

[Diatommy554]

@AboSaud33 i disagree, just as paul simon, paul mccartney, and bob dylan are all connected, they all have distinct musical styles and have obviously shaped their own careers and music. I'm a huge dylan fan (just saw him in august), but you have to admit that dylan's music isn't quite as melodic as paul simon's.

[AboSaud33]

@Diatommy554 I disagree either! I love paul simon but bob dylan created a new wave that paul simon, neil young, john lennon, and paul maccartney adopted! bob dylan created a foreign sound which is the sound of the soul of the artist! check out "masters of war", "it's alrght ma!", "Mr. Tambourine Man", "the ballad of the thin man" and "Queen Jane Approximately" and many other songs! sorry but paul simon is just a good student to the teacher bob dylan!

[suuus1995]

@AboSaud33 what say you to Leonard Cohen? Just interested in your opinion as you seem to have such sophisticated opinions on everyone musical from the last 60 years :)

[AboSaud33]

@suuus1995 hx! I really think that Leonard Cohen is true poetry and true artist, but I still see the influence of bob dylans album (The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan). Also, I think the dif between cohen and the others that is cohen still writing amazing lyrics about love, god, faith, life, music and woman! One of the best album I ever heard is (New Skin for the Old Ceremony). Now, let me ask you this what do you think about tom waits ??

[AboSaud33]

without bob dylan will be no paul simon!!! bob dylan is the godfather of american music!!

[hockeyplyr042]

This is what I feel this Fourth of July. Things have changed. It's not Stars and Stripes Forever.... It's something else...

[1kmell]

I listen to this song every fourth and it always kind of makes me tear up but it's always a consistently excellent idea. Thank you, Paul Simon.

[yolchie]

Dear Parents: STOP buying your kids video games and buy them some freaking instruments! This world needs more Simon and Garfunkels!!!

[TheRealSumo]

One singer,one guitar.No dancers no light-show. Oh how i miss those days

[Bronzewhaler82]

@TheRealSumo I just miss the days of singers with real talent

[Ululani1234]

I'm glad to see Paul sing by himself so that he can showcase his beautiful voice which is so often the harmony or background to Art's voice. He also plays the guitar with precision and perfect timing. I feel like I'm at a real live concert. Thank you to you for sharing this.

[ichihentai]

effortless genius

[lewars1912]

Bach tune.

[PHILLYandBILLY]

This song has the same melody as "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded".

[knitterhead]

@PHILLYandBILLY ACK! THANK YOU. I knew it sounded familiar...

[RustyfFender]

@DDPCentralVideo Ha ha - so true. And as you so correctly point out, his talent was (is) astronomical, it was also impeccably timed, for it arrived at a time when there was an appreciative audience. Paul Simon and the others mentioned below were not only the soundtrack of an incredible time in history, but no doubt their words and the feelings conveyed influenced the collection of individual choices that made it all possible. I'm grateful and would like to do it again knowing what I know now.

[Jemmer1000]

moustache

[Cromag99]

I expect to be bright and Bon Vivant all the time!

[nat00ben06]

@ThevanGoghBlues You've done pretty well, think Neil Young, James Taylor,Ben Harper,Joni Mitchell,Robert Hunter.

[Chikunnism]

Dear youtube,

This video has dislikes. Fix it.

[VulcanLander1988]

@Chikunnism No, that would be Big Brother like (pun intended), but I will still give you a thumbs up. Let's just get everyone to like it so that the red is even less of that line!

[usedforspam37]

THUMBS UP IF YOU CAME HERE AFTER SEEING PAUL SIMON SING THIS SONG ON THE COLBERT REPORT!!!!!!

[ccalson]

Still a favorite. I grew up listening to Paul Simon.

[mrrmh31]

Reminds me of my friend from Bancroft Jr High 1972

[rothwellss]

Me too

[nantier90]

This song is touching and beautiful. I get goosebumps listening to it.

[nantier90]

This song is touching and beautiful. I get goosebumps llstening to it. 

[karzymimi42]

ahsdjabha

[karzymimi42]

AMAZING SONG!!! one of our best singers at skool sang this 4 our graduation! simply "BEAUTIFUL"

[tzach07]

maa baalllz

[lxn271]

I've got tears in my eyes. Thank you for posting this performance.

[DesultoryDevelopment]

Anybody else think he looks like Shakespeare or is that just his amazing writing manifesting in his bobbed hair and mustache?

[thesunreport]

Super Mario much?? xD

[BlueHeeler1952]

The man is a genius. He molds emotions around word-plays, caresses nuance from cliche...... timeless and a man of the times.

[nat00ben06]

His subtle way of singing is just beautiful the way it comes across....without that damn screeching and so singers that feel they have to do that. Of course not mention his songwriting...remarkable..all right Edie!

[mrsgstd]

Paul has always admitted that he got this melody from JS Bach. He did a great job with it and the guitar work is very good regardless. His song "Richard Corey" is also based on a 19th century British poem.

[ldavidkruse]

Gosh that's beautiful

[KnightOneDark]

Are some of the people commenting here really saying, "He just wrote the lyrics and sang beautifully"? That seems significant to me.

[mickieggie]

@KnightOneDark

Well, yes...he wrote lyrics to JS Bach's melody, just like someone wrote the lyrics of "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" to this same melody. They meant no harm, just stating the truth. Many artists did the same thing Simon did, write lyrics to the beautiful melodies of Classical composers: Manilow used Chopin's "Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20" for "Could It Be Magic"; "My Prayer" by The Platters used Boulanger's Avant de Mourir...the list can go on & on. Flattering :)

[motorvoter]

Absolutely spellbinding.

[ZAGGLETON]

He just added new words to the old hymn "O Sacred Head Now Wounded".

[Bjowolf2]

22 people have hearing aids, where the batteries are low ;-)

[yukar1919]

1974年にポールサイモンが初来日したときに行った。

この曲は，最高だった。

ポールサイモンのみならずS&Gも含めて最高の曲だと思う。

[RustyfFender]

@yukar1919 あなたは私に1つずつアップしている-私は彼が実行表示されませ­んでした

[Geelilazz]

unbeliviebly beautiful

[MrPbouchet]

And thanks to J.S. Bach.. where this song's from..

[flybarbara78]

terrible good though. good terrible.

[64wing]

22 people don't know what music is

[bozodog2000]

one of the great solo performances ever.

[TovarishGlushkov1]

Why this song is so beautifully compelling is because it has remained so remarkably relevant over the years.

[irishwolfhound003]

listen to "O Sacred Head Now Wounded", written by Bernard Clairvaux in the 12th century, with music by J.S Bach, and you'll see where Paul got the tune.

[penguindojo]

I'm fairly certain I'm responsible for at least 1,000 of these views....

[TheCatgirl6]

The evening of September 11th, I went home and played this song over and over. If I hadn't understood the lyric before, I certainly did that night and many nights after.

[LeslieGMN]

@TheCatgirl6 I think Paul would be proud to know that.

[TheCatgirl6]

@LeslieGMN Thank you. That's kind.

[jffrywad]

and terrible combover... but one of my fav songs of his.

[HanaBotk]

So do I. It's elegy.

[1933goudey]

This ladies and gentlemen is one of the greatest songs ever written.  Paul Simon will always be my favorite musician!

[Mayitase62]

Sweeties... Paul Simon never wrote protest songs - and as far as I recall he never claimed to. If you chose to waste energy hating a mustache that grew on a mans face 30 years ago - then you need something more important to do in your life. And for thos who don't understand the text, and finds it confusing and messy - listen again, listen well, and listen over and over again. It may take som time, but who cares?

[firestartertwistedfi]

@Mayitase62 Can't disagree with a word of this - and I like your style. I'm going to start addressing people on here as 'sweeties' :)

[Mayitase62]

@firestartertwistedfi :) I'm sure you're all a bunch of sweeties

[mothercat13]

I see Jason Schwartzman playing Paul Simon in a movie about his life.

[zackgreer]

I love this tune, the syncopation, the minimalist sound, but truth be told it makes no sense. lyrics/story seems to try to be everywhere. What is this song about???

[jimraw1]

@zackgreer Its a reflection of America at that time for Simon - We were still in Vietnam; Watergate (and Spiro Agnew's resignation) had embroiled the Nixon Administration; A lot of Americans felt very disolussioned - and the world's view of America was not favorable. The song was Simon's comment on our fragile state of mind, because the American Dream was out of reach for so many at that time.

[TovarishGlushkov1]

@jimraw1

I'm not liking the "at that time" phrasing though.....this is a reflection of the illusion that is America then, now and forever..the beautiful thing is that this song remains relevant. The fundamental truth is that the good people of this country have to get some rest before tomorrow's working day...and cannot really be blamed for the evil and war crimes of their leaders. it's a tragic song, yet hopeful, because the only good that exists in america is in those very people.

[tobesograteful]

This man has enormous talent! I remembered this song after the 9-11 attacks. Two years later someone played it on the radio around the anniversary, I wept like a child remembering.

[firestartertwistedfi]

Is this the closest he comes to a protest song?