The Paul Simon Anthology
Paul Simon · 1993
148 min · 36 tracks · folk rock
A sweeping journey through decades of lyrical storytelling, blending folk, rock, and world influences with poignant melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bridge Over Troubled Water — This track encapsulates Simon's ability to blend emotional depth with soaring melodies, showcasing both his lyrical prowess and vocal harmonies.
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You Can Call Me Al — With its infectious rhythm and witty lyrics, this song represents Simon's playful side while still addressing deeper themes of identity and self-discovery.
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The Sound of Silence Start here — As one of Simon's earliest hits, this song remains emblematic of his career, illustrating his knack for capturing profound social commentary within haunting melodies.
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Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes — This track showcases Simon's incorporation of world music elements, reflecting his growth as an artist while highlighting cross-cultural influences that define his later work.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- storytelling that invites reflection
- for nostalgic afternoons
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
- rich textures for headphone listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — An anthology that showcases a range of Simon's work but is not a primary entry point.
- Themes
- folk-rock evolution· cultural fusion· American storytelling
- Career context
- By the time 'The Paul Simon Anthology' was released in 1993, Simon had already established himself as a solo artist following the success of his groundbreaking album 'Graceland' in 1986. This anthology serves as a retrospective collection that highlights his evolution from the Simon & Garfunkel era through to his solo work in the 90s, marking over three decades of influential songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- James Taylor· Cat Stevens· Nick Drake
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Sound of Silence Start here 3:06
- 2 Cecilia 2:54
- 3 El Condor Pasa 3:06
- 4 The Boxer 5:08
- 5 Mrs. Robinson 3:54
- 6 Bridge Over Troubled Water 4:49
- 7 Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard 2:42
- 8 Peace Like a River 3:16
- 9 Mother and Child Reunion 2:59
- 10 American Tune 3:44
- 11 Loves Me Like a Rock 3:18
- 12 Kodachrome 3:30
- 13 Gone at Last 3:29
- 14 Still Crazy After All These Years 3:50
- 15 Something So Right 4:30
- 16 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover 3:06
- 17 Slip Slidin’ Away 4:44
- 18 Late in the Evening 3:55
- 19 Hearts and Bones 5:39
- 20 Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War 3:43
Disc 2
- 1 The Boy in the Bubble 4:01
- 2 Graceland 4:50
- 3 Under African Skies 3:37
- 4 That Was Your Mother 2:53
- 5 Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes 5:48
- 6 You Can Call Me Al 4:42
- 7 Homeless 3:50
- 8 Spirit Voices 3:58
- 9 The Obvious Child 4:10
- 10 Can’t Run But 3:36
- 11 Thelma 4:16
- 12 Further to Fly 5:35
- 13 She Moves On 4:57
- 14 Born at the Right Time 5:08
- 15 The Cool, Cool River 5:44
- 16 The Sound of Silence Start here 5:41
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Diamonds & Rust
Joan Baez
Shares a similar storytelling depth and folk roots, blending personal narrative with cultural reflection.
Feelings
David Byrne
Explores cross-cultural influences and melodic craftsmanship, akin to Simon's world music elements.
Songs of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Features introspective lyrics and a rich atmospheric sound that complements Simon's poignant storytelling.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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