Lyrics 1964-2008 »

Few songwriters have contributed more to the contemporary music scene than Paul Simon, whose meticulously crafted pop songs have comprised a soundtrack to American life for more than 40 years. An artist known for his impeccable musicianship and eclectic taste, Simon is famous for creating bold, imaginative albums that fuse a wide diversity of styles and genres. But nowhere does his genius shine more brilliantly than in his lyrics —whip-smart tone poems, alternately wry and rueful, infectious and urbane, ironic and introspective.

Spanning an impressive career marked by experimentation and innovation, here for the first time in book form are the collected lyrics of Paul Simon —from the folk-rock anthems of the 1960s ("The Sounds of Silence," "America," "Bridge Over Troubled Water") to the melancholy musings of middle age ("Still Crazy After All These Years," "You're the One," "Father and Daughter"). While it may be difficult for hardcore fans to divorce the words from their hook-laden melodies, this one-of-a-kind volume leaves little doubt about the poetry and precision of Simon's gorgeous language.