Iodine and Adult IQ meta-analysis "Iodization is one of the great success stories of public health intervention: iodizing salt costs pennies per ton, but as demonstrated in randomized & natural experiments, prevents goiters, cretinism, and can boost population IQs by a fraction of a standard deviation in the most iodine-deficient populations." www.gwern.net/Iodine
Isaac Swan Do you know what else reduces Children’s IQ: Lead. We absolutely know the consequences of lead ingestion on development and it far outweighs the effects of fluoride. Lead wasn’t removed from fuel until the late-80’s. Lead wasn’t removed from paint until the late 70’s. Depending on the city, there may be lead in the water system. If you actually believe that fluoride lowers IQ, that means that Boomers are amongst the dumbest people to ever exist because they were poisoned by both lead and fluoride every time they took a sip of water.
Paul said that he had two options: either to go from D9 to G major, or from D9 to G# minor. In the end, he did neither. He went from D9 to E major 7. Later on, in the studio, with the session musicians and all, he changed the key of the whole song from D to G. Just so you know.
If you look closely, you will see that G#minor is the same as E Major 7 without the root (E is the root of E Major 7, but the bass player is probably covering this note anyway, so the guitar will often omit the root or hide it within the structure to avoid stepping on the bass players toes, meaning playing some hip inversion of G#min when you see EMaj7 is both correct and awesome)
nice ! Maybe he was thinking of the D9 as a 'backdoor' ii V in Emaj (in E the D9 would function as a bVII) and i'm sure he'd be only too happy to explain it :)
I guess he was pretty happy with choice to go to AMaj7 in the bridge since Richard Tee ended up using it as the intro in that nice AMaj7 - B Sus - EMaj7 - Am - C - C/G - G bit.
James France genius: 1. exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability. 2. an exceptionally intelligent person or one with exceptional skill in a particular area of activity. Certainly this word can be applied in music. Paul Simon is a musical genius. Maybe *you* need to look up the word.
"We talked about some old times, And drank ourselves some whiskey. Still limber, and so damn frisky. Woooaahhhhh still limber, and so damn friskyyyyyyyyy"
The fluidity with which he moves from chord to chord and the arsenal of chords available to him and his knowledge of how they fit together is impressive.
@@Barefoot67 He used to analyze songs by others a lot; and not only pop music of course. In the book "Songwriters On Songwriting" (Paul Zollo) he talks a lot about Antonio Carlos Jobim as a major influence when it comes to chord progressions and voicings.
i actually appreciate how nobody in the audience reacts after he finished the song and just sits there in awe, not daring to make a sound. i hate these artificial outbursts they put in shows with live audiences these days.
@@disturbedcarrot And a good thing too, although it was never Cavetts style, imagine him or rather some other hack of a host going "How about that? Pretty good huh! How about a round of applause for mr Paul Simon!" Although I can appreciate people like Letterman and a few others as well, he could easily have ruined a vibe such as this (saw Letterman doing that once when Regina Spektor played his show for instance).
It's also cool because Paul Simon can be so nervous and tentative talking about things but when he gets down to the nitty gritty of composition you can see how relaxed and confident he gets. Its not just about having a brilliant idea popping into his head but the whole examination of how and why music evokes certain responses.
@@bellycuda I kinda feel sorry for you too. I’ve replied to a comment of yours from over 3 years ago and you’ve replied to me in minutes. You mustn’t have much of a social life to reply that quick. Now I’m stunned.
The term "genius" is overly-used, but there are those who do have the gift. Paul is among them. The level of sophistication in his chord movements and the ease with which he played them is stunning. Not all great guitar players are lead solo stars.
Yes but also simon is one of the most successful writers of all time and the album sales show it. The simon and garfunkel in central park had half a million in attendance
@@robbieclark7828 No, you're saying that if people don't see him as one of the greatest they lack informations (and thus are wrong). I love Paul Simon really much, but I don't think calling those who don't ignorants makes any sense.
I can't imagine something like that happening today, an established singer bringing a half-finished song on national TV, brainstorming, then the song becomes a hit. The way Paul Simon talks about writing music, selecting different chords after establishing a pattern, to please the listeners' ears is fascinating. Links to comedy, for sure. Smart dude.
Yes Dan, and for a musician of Simon's caliber and renown, he's incredibly humble and unassuming here. I was actually wishing Cavett would cool it with the cheap jokes so that such a precious moment with Simon could blossom more unimpeded.
Ted L. I agree. Dick should have realized that always reaching for a quip can break the spell of these intimate and fascinating moments. Simon is letting us in on the making of one of his best songs and Cavet can’t lay back enough.
Aside from Paul's wonderful musical prowess, I enjoy just listening to him speak. There's such a calm, stoic manner about him that I find myself drawn to.
Usually people are automatically clapping at the end of a tv performance. I love how at 1:41, when Paul Simon stop playing, everyone is stunned by the quality of the song. They don't applause because they don't like it but because they're so emotionaly into the story and the music. It's quite unique and fascinating. Well done Paul.
They didn't know if they should, because the song was unfinished, but also because it looked like Simon was gonna say something. Did no one else notice this, seriously?
Paul Simon is such a intentional songwriter it almost makes me want to change every song I’ve written with only 3 chords that repeat cyclically through the entire song. I find comfort in knowing there’s great songs like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” which are literally the same 2 chords played over and over through the entire song.
I hear ya. Technically though, on the chorus Fma7 and G6 are played on occasion instead of F and G, at least on the keyboard. But, you only have to add an E to each, so simplicity still rules. Thanks for bringing this up, I need a song to practice my near non-existent keyboard skills! :)
I'm so glad Cavett didn't even attempt to get serious about this. He might have led Paul astray from where he would eventually end up. The musical and lyrical shift in the final version makes it one of the greatest bridges in pop history.
paul finishes and cavett is stunned speechless, so paul quickly starts changing the subject before anyone can even react.. that moment of silence shows how much of a masterpiece he just played
I met my old lover On the street last night She seemed so glad to see me I just smiled And we talked about some old times And we drank ourselves some beers Still crazy after all these years Still crazy after all these years I'm not the kind of man Who tends to socialize I seem to lean on Old familiar ways And I ain't no fool for love songs That whisper in my ears Still crazy after all these years Still crazy after all these years Four in the morning Crapped out Yawning Longing my life away I'll never worry Why should I? It's all gonna fade Now I sit by my window And I watch the cars I fear I'll do some damage One fine day But I would not be convicted By a jury of my peers Still crazy Still crazy Still crazy after all these years
This is unbeleivably great. The insane talent of Paul Simon in full flow, and in an environment of genuine engagement and involvement from both interlocutors. Modern TV is rubbish, let's face it.
I didn't realize it until I went to play his stuff. I can only do the "simplified" versions. I finally got down my own rendition of Something So Right. Took months and is but a shadow of Paul's genius.
@@shawnstarks1743 damn right. I noticed I can't even find tabs of his music that are considered 100% accurate because he played his songs so differently each time. He was also very fluid and dynamic and just played off the cuff. Just like most blues and jazz style playing.
@@larsfaye292 Yea dude, him and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull "Thick as a brick". Two of the most unlikely looking rock stars. KILLERS. Something about those guys of the 60's and 70's. No youtube no Tab books that they had to learn from. FKN GIANTS!
I just watched this for the second time and while Paul was playing Still Crazy all I could do was watch his hands on the guitar. He plays so effortlessly; he makes it look really easy.
Notice how Simon burns Cavett at 4:15 in commenting on using comic bits more than twice...essentially what Cavett did in responding to Simon's notes about chord & note selection. Simon is a real class act!
Here he plays the song on the guitar in D. On the record it was played on electric piano in G. What he actually ended up doing after that second verse, the part he is trying to write in the video, was brilliant. He modulated the key up a whole step and wrote a gorgeous bridge melody for the lyrics “four in the morning…”
Paul Simon: Although the listener will not ever consciously say "Those are two new notes I haven't heard," in fact, it will be refreshing to the ear. Harry S. Plinkett: You might not have noticed that. BUT YOUR BRAIN DID.
One of my favorite interviews of all time. I wish Paul would've recorded the song this way, the orchestral arrangement on his recording was much less beautiful than his solo acoustic guitar.
Paul gave, quite possibly, the most critical songwriting tip here. The listener needs variety in a song so that they stay engaged from start to finish. The introduction of a key change or a new chord, even a rhythmic variation are all ways to keep your listener engaged. More profoundly he theorizes that this is true in other modes of expression such as comedy. I think Dick really seemed to enjoy that.
Yes, that was some very cool insight into not just songwriting, but other creative endeavors. I don't know a lot of his songs (yet) on guitar, but I have noticed he often uses more than one key in a song - which is a little unusual (like in Mrs. Robinson, but it's subtle). On the other hand, some very old classic songs have only three or four chords in the same key, and those kill. So, more than one way to approach things, which is very interesting.
This is like watching people (both of them) catch lightning in a bottle. The song is a classic and we can watch it being born. Paul Simon is a genius for writing just this song.
Greg White Great song, indeed. One of Simon’s best. It’s interesting that he’s talking here about being stuck on the bridge. What he eventually came up with for that section of the song is so perfect. Dreamy, wistful, quietly regretful.
I would so love to see all of this episode. I'm dying to know more about Paul Simon's personality and Dick Cavett always seemed to somehow bring this out in people. He seems like such an awkard guy, yet his guests just completely open up where they don't on other shows.
Four in the morning... crapped out,yawning.... longing my life away.... I’d have to say he found the perfect lyrics and created a melody the likes of Mozart. Pure Genius!!
Can’t even imagine how cool it would have been to see this live whether in person or the first time it aired, seeing this song in its incomplete form. Such an incredibly beautiful song.
Funny, but never though this was a simple sounding song at all. It's full of odd jazz chords and jazz transitions. And then there's that radical break to a different key in the middle section (he doesn't play it in this video), the "Four in the morning, crapped out, yawning" part.
That's what adds the richness to it...if you buy one of those crappy "Songs For Buskers" type books you'll probably find this in there written in a simplified form that sounds passable, but it's the opening up of those chords that makes it so much more.
I totally agree. Though it's a magnificent vocalline, it doesn't sound "difficult". Paul could have used less chords (for easy guitar! ;) ), but his genius is that he makes even this imho pretty clever arrangement sound "simple". No, he makes it sound logical! I'm ususally a fan of pretty straight chords, but Paul is one of the few artists that never ceases to amaze me on how he arranges his wonderful compositions with surprising chord-changes. Awesome!!!! BTW: we must not confuse composition (vocalline and lyrics) with arrangement....
@sabbracadabra Obviously anyone able to write like this has to have a ton of musical talent, but it certainly takes a lot of practice as well. I'm not convinced Paul Simon could have written this same song in, say 1964, talented as he is and obviously was already back then. But in 1976 he was fifteen or so years into the craft, and I think that is as essential as the raw talent.
Thanks for uploading this. You just turned me into an instant Paul Simon fan, as a result of looking up the "Still Crazy After All These Years" album and listening through it now. This was just a bit before my time.
They're speaking so matter-of-factly about the birth of such an utterly magnificent song. Even in its incomplete form, it's one of the greatest pieces of songwriting I've ever heard.
Blake Shelton wouldn't turn around, Adam Levine would try to "fix" Paul's voice by coaching him to add falsetto, and Heidi Klum would say he's adorable but too boring for her.
Having heard this song for most of my life it's really weird to see a time when this song was only half finished , merely an imagination and full of potential , he has no idea at this point it'll become a classic .
i love his beautiful chords -- had no idea that he was this knowledgeable in theory and perceptive to how the audience will hear his music. i have a new founding respect to him. great musician
Paul Simon is so good and so unique. His songs are a musical experience and his musicians are just amazing. Steve Gadd on drums who played on Aja album. He is a slice of New York as well. Brilliant.
Just my tuppence, a beautiful moment of a genuine truly gifted musician sharing his thought process in what has to be one of the best if not the best chord progression in modern music...his most touching song ever.
Just stumbled on this. I was actually watching Dick Cavett as a kid (we stayed up late on weekends at Dad's) and saw this very show. In 1975 when the finished song came out as the title track to "Still Crazy" I said to myself, well he did finally finish that song from the Cavett show!
I would give anything to go back in time and tell Paul, "Hey try this: Four in the morning, Im crapped out and yawning, dreaming my life away...." he would think I was a genius!!!
i'm a composer, yet i am still fascinated by other composers & their composition process. where does it come from? different composers will give u different answers, but it all boils down to it being a mystery. that's what makes it so fascinating. we're painting pictures with sounds & rhythms.
What a treat that was to watch, being from Northern Ireland I'd never seen Cavett, so to see his refreshingly laid back, not to mention informal style of interviewing is in total contrast to the almost confrontational style of interviewer seen nowadays, and it was also a delight to hear Simon, who is a masterful performer. Many thanks to the uploader, as this video has brightened my day up no end, as "Still Crazy" is one of my all time favourites.
If played in the key of D, he opted for going to Emajor... On 'four' he's at a D#, on 'in' he hits that C#, and he doesn't hit that C, in the melody anyways, but with his D9 and D7 chords, the C note is still in the song. But lordy that bridge going into that sax solo is mind mindbogglingly beautiful, I think in no small part due to this little trick of Paul's. The Sax solo is this incredible relief after that complex bridge that twists and turns, that solo just hanging out in one spot around the tonic chord for a bit. The contrast is very satisfying. Although the whole song he ended up switching I believe to G major (with a quick allusion to the bridge at the front in A), but the principles remain.
I mentioned it in a reply to another comment as well, but I believe that for anyone to write like this there has to be a ton of musical talent present of course, but it certainly has to take a lot of practice as well. I'm not convinced Paul Simon could have written this same song in, say 1964, talented as he is and obviously was already back then. But in 1975 he was fifteen or so years into the craft of making original music, and I believe that has to be as essential as the raw talent.
He definitely developed as a musician over time. You won't find many complex jazz chords in his early S&G work, but his later solo stuff is filled with them.
I’m 60. I’ve had a pretty weird life. But reading some of these comments and sharing so many opinion I’m thinking maybe my life isn’t that weird at all. 😬 ❤️
It's crazy to think that television used to air stuff this intellectual... I love this clip.
Harvard Study Confirms Fluoride Reduces Children's IQ www.huffpost.com/entry/fluoride_b_2479833
Iodine and Adult IQ meta-analysis "Iodization is one of the great success stories of public health intervention: iodizing salt costs pennies per ton, but as demonstrated in randomized & natural experiments, prevents goiters, cretinism, and can boost population IQs by a fraction of a standard deviation in the most iodine-deficient populations." www.gwern.net/Iodine
We are turning in the movie Idiocracy. Glyphosate (Roundup) is being used as a dessicant to dry the crops before harvest... we have fucking lost it.
Even now, 8 years since you said this, intellectual stuff is around, you have to search for it. There is a LOT more content to sift through.
Isaac Swan Do you know what else reduces Children’s IQ: Lead. We absolutely know the consequences of lead ingestion on development and it far outweighs the effects of fluoride.
Lead wasn’t removed from fuel until the late-80’s. Lead wasn’t removed from paint until the late 70’s. Depending on the city, there may be lead in the water system.
If you actually believe that fluoride lowers IQ, that means that Boomers are amongst the dumbest people to ever exist because they were poisoned by both lead and fluoride every time they took a sip of water.
Listening to Paul Simon's voice is like listening to an old friend.
Exactly. Randy Newman and Billy Joel have the same effect on me.
you might wanna sit on the park bench with him like bookends
Well said
This is an insane chord progression, jumping between melancholy, bold, and sincere. Beautiful
No kidding! I'd kill to get this on tab!
Yeah the guy is nothing short than genius. He flows between this amazing and complex chord progression like drinking an orange juice.
Yeah his songs are incredibly unique in their harmony , 😁
Hey you still want a tab? I could make you one lol
@@cliffsmith1305same here
Paul Simon is a genius.
Word. No way around it.
Not just that but also modest, charming and with an unusual voice. It’s not a traditional singing voice. It supports the stories he writes perfectly.
When you use the term genius you really ... ummm .... well Paul Simon ... okay ... you're right .... Paul Simon is a genius.
He’s a funny guy and had fun with Dick Cavet.
Agreed
Paul said that he had two options: either to go from D9 to G major, or from D9 to G# minor. In the end, he did neither. He went from D9 to E major 7.
Later on, in the studio, with the session musicians and all, he changed the key of the whole song from D to G.
Just so you know.
If you look closely, you will see that G#minor is the same as E Major 7 without the root (E is the root of E Major 7, but the bass player is probably covering this note anyway, so the guitar will often omit the root or hide it within the structure to avoid stepping on the bass players toes, meaning playing some hip inversion of G#min when you see EMaj7 is both correct and awesome)
nice ! Maybe he was thinking of the D9 as a 'backdoor' ii V in Emaj (in E the D9 would function as a bVII) and i'm sure he'd be only too happy to explain it :)
he also could have gone to C#m using D9 as a tritone substition for G#7#5
good convo guys! appreciate the insight
I guess he was pretty happy with choice to go to AMaj7 in the bridge since Richard Tee ended up using it as the intro in that nice AMaj7 - B Sus - EMaj7 - Am - C - C/G - G bit.
I wish there were more interviews that focused on the creation of music. Paul Simon is a musical genius.
not popping up on youtube
Stop overusing the word genius. He's just a good song writer. Geniuses split atoms.
No, if there ever was a musical genius it is Paul Simon. He and Brian Wilson can hear music far differently and more complexly than us mere humans.
There has never been a musical genius. I'd look up the word before I post again.
James France
genius:
1. exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.
2. an exceptionally intelligent person or one with exceptional skill in a particular area of activity.
Certainly this word can be applied in music. Paul Simon is a musical genius. Maybe *you* need to look up the word.
Good thing Paul and his old girlfriend drank beers,cause it rhymes with years. If they drank whiskey,wow,have to start all over again.
Might get frisky...
"We talked about some old times,
And drank ourselves some whiskey.
Still limber, and so damn frisky. Woooaahhhhh still limber, and so damn friskyyyyyyyyy"
Doesnt quite have the ring to it. Thank god for years and beers
+mark price "wearing no contraceptives was risky"... that's why he was still crazy
@@subg8858 i don't know it's definitely got some sort of ring to ir 👀
The fluidity with which he moves from chord to chord and the arsenal of chords available to him and his knowledge of how they fit together is impressive.
That's right - then again, it's also somewhat depressing for less talented guitar players like me ...
ehhh not that impressive. honestly, i've been playing 1.5 years and can mimic this decently
hes 10x better at singing
How did he get to that level? Do you know? Just by writing a lot?
@@Barefoot67 He used to analyze songs by others a lot; and not only pop music of course. In the book "Songwriters On Songwriting" (Paul Zollo) he talks a lot about Antonio Carlos Jobim as a major influence when it comes to chord progressions and voicings.
i actually appreciate how nobody in the audience reacts after he finished the song and just sits there in awe, not daring to make a sound. i hate these artificial outbursts they put in shows with live audiences these days.
i think some tried to clap but overall yeah it was silence. very cool
Usually audiences waits for a cue or natural break to applause, the presenter gave neither
@@disturbedcarrot And a good thing too, although it was never Cavetts style, imagine him or rather some other hack of a host going "How about that? Pretty good huh! How about a round of applause for mr Paul Simon!" Although I can appreciate people like Letterman and a few others as well, he could easily have ruined a vibe such as this (saw Letterman doing that once when Regina Spektor played his show for instance).
Still brilliant after all these years.
cute and witty remark
The way he switches the chords is so graceful. No urgency. The fingers just move across the guitar woth such grace, it's beautiful to watch
He has arthritis now and it's not so easy anymore.
Enjoy your youth while you have it.
Let the record show Paul Simon knows his s**t
He sure does know his seat.
Have you heard his chord progressions ? I don’t think anyone else in the entire rock canon had as good of an understanding of functional harmony
@@vibratoryuniverse308 yupp 50 ways to leave your lover is literally the PERFECT progression
@@sstflm It’s a nice one, for sure-but I suspect the song wouldn’t have been a hit without the brilliance that Steve Gadd brought to it.
@@vibratoryuniverse308 brian wilson
It's also cool because Paul Simon can be so nervous and tentative talking about things but when he gets down to the nitty gritty of composition you can see how relaxed and confident he gets. Its not just about having a brilliant idea popping into his head but the whole examination of how and why music evokes certain responses.
Love the fact that after he played what he had so far, there was stunned silence from the audience, they couldn't quite believe it was that good.
Art Garfunkel once said that he was blown away when Paul came up with "Mrs Robinson" going "There's no way you wrote that song!"
I know...you sort of expect a standing ovation. Stunned respect and the keenness to hear what he's going to say is far better, I think.
They weren’t ‘stunned’.... lets not lie to ourselves
@@Liam.2000 I sort of feel sorry for you. You watched this amazing video, trawled through the comments and posted that? Now I’m stunned
@@bellycuda I kinda feel sorry for you too. I’ve replied to a comment of yours from over 3 years ago and you’ve replied to me in minutes. You mustn’t have much of a social life to reply that quick. Now I’m stunned.
His chords on the guitar blow my mind! He just breezes through those beautiful chords, and he know them all!
I would had used a D7#9 instead of D9, then a passing D7b9 resolved to Em7.... opps wait that would be Pink Floyd''s Breathe.
Pink Floyd don't own chords do they....?? Well they are so rich that yeah, they probably bought a whole load....
Tom Mack isn’t breathe just basically Em to A7?
I absolutely guarantee you he does not know them all.
yeah ... geez. Guitar George is the only one that knows ALL of them
The term "genius" is overly-used, but there are those who do have the gift. Paul is among them. The level of sophistication in his chord movements and the ease with which he played them is stunning. Not all great guitar players are lead solo stars.
Practice makes them easy I'm sure
Overly abused, is there a right amount of abuse?
@@StephenWingsTV crap! Typo. Thanks for catching😂 i fixed it
Anybody who doesn’t think of Paul Simon as one of the single greatest songwriters of all time is just suffering from a lack of information.
And taste.
Yes but also simon is one of the most successful writers of all time and the album sales show it. The simon and garfunkel in central park had half a million in attendance
"My taste is the best, everyone who disagree is ignorant/has bad taste" copy paste this on every music video on youtube
@@tdb517 I’m not saying my taste is better, I’m saying people are missing out on having heard his best stuff
@@robbieclark7828 No, you're saying that if people don't see him as one of the greatest they lack informations (and thus are wrong). I love Paul Simon really much, but I don't think calling those who don't ignorants makes any sense.
I can't imagine something like that happening today, an established singer bringing a half-finished song on national TV, brainstorming, then the song becomes a hit.
The way Paul Simon talks about writing music, selecting different chords after establishing a pattern, to please the listeners' ears is fascinating. Links to comedy, for sure. Smart dude.
Yes Dan, and for a musician of Simon's caliber and renown, he's incredibly humble and unassuming here. I was actually wishing Cavett would cool it with the cheap jokes so that such a precious moment with Simon could blossom more unimpeded.
He´s a genius!
Simon's songwriting is sheer intuition appeased by musical knowledge.
Ted L.
I agree. Dick should have realized that always reaching for a quip can break the spell of these intimate and fascinating moments. Simon is letting us in on the making of one of his best songs and Cavet can’t lay back enough.
That would require attention span though, tv can't allow for that these days.
Aside from Paul's wonderful musical prowess, I enjoy just listening to him speak. There's such a calm, stoic manner about him that I find myself drawn to.
Ironically, Paul Simon chose neither to use the C natural nor the C sharp chord. Instead, opting for more cowbell.
More cowbell always is the right choice.
LOL
He's just like any other guy. . . he puts his pants on one leg at a time. . . then he makes hit rekkids.
@@austntexan maybe he jumps into both
@@Jamie-js3qw LOL
Usually people are automatically clapping at the end of a tv performance. I love how at 1:41, when Paul Simon stop playing, everyone is stunned by the quality of the song. They don't applause because they don't like it but because they're so emotionaly into the story and the music. It's quite unique and fascinating. Well done Paul.
Or the applause sign didnt light up at that moment
YES
they didn't clap because it sucked
@@ziggyrichards This show was done in the days before audiences were led around like trained seals.
They didn't know if they should, because the song was unfinished, but also because it looked like Simon was gonna say something. Did no one else notice this, seriously?
One of the best songwriters ever showing us how it's done. Gotta love it.
True indeed.
Paul Simon is such a intentional songwriter it almost makes me want to change every song I’ve written with only 3 chords that repeat cyclically through the entire song. I find comfort in knowing there’s great songs like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” which are literally the same 2 chords played over and over through the entire song.
A Horse with no name, two chords throughout too.
I hear ya. Technically though, on the chorus Fma7 and G6 are played on occasion instead of F and G, at least on the keyboard. But, you only have to add an E to each, so simplicity still rules. Thanks for bringing this up, I need a song to practice my near non-existent keyboard skills! :)
@sabbracadabra Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan had that gift. Still Crazy has ridiculous chord progressions, but sounds so natural.
Paul Simon is undoubtedly among the greatest ever songwriters. He's a true genius. Love from the England.
Agreed.
I seem to recall he wrote Homeward Bound while in England.
What if Cavett said "uh,.. how about '4 in the morning'... and then something else... oh and have a sax solo..."
If it was only that easy. How crazy that we get to see that perfect PERFECT song be constructed.
Great line , didn't see that coming.
I'm so glad Cavett didn't even attempt to get serious about this. He might have led Paul astray from where he would eventually end up. The musical and lyrical shift in the final version makes it one of the greatest bridges in pop history.
Jazz musicians listen to this song for the first time and go, “Holy Shit!”
wait they actually used to talk about things on tv?
Indeed they did, and they used more than two syllables and noone was a victim
Good thing open form podcasts are taking over
No, go click on the next suggestion, this is more than 30 seconds. /S
Niandra lades!!!
Ok boomer
paul finishes and cavett is stunned speechless, so paul quickly starts changing the subject before anyone can even react.. that moment of silence shows how much of a masterpiece he just played
The audience didn't realize that they were the first to hear this work of art.
Shows Paul's mastery of both musical theory and songwriting ability. As a songwriter, I am in awe
I met my old lover
On the street last night
She seemed so glad to see me
I just smiled
And we talked about some old times
And we drank ourselves some beers
Still crazy after all these years
Still crazy after all these years
I'm not the kind of man
Who tends to socialize
I seem to lean on
Old familiar ways
And I ain't no fool for love songs
That whisper in my ears
Still crazy after all these years
Still crazy after all these years
Four in the morning
Crapped out
Yawning
Longing my life away
I'll never worry
Why should I?
It's all gonna fade
Now I sit by my window
And I watch the cars
I fear I'll do some damage
One fine day
But I would not be convicted
By a jury of my peers
Still crazy
Still crazy
Still crazy after all these years
YOU FINISHED IT !! Why don't you tell him ?
I thought these were the actual lyrics, these are really good
@@ThePlugga44 they are the actual lyrics
th-cam.com/video/Zo1naJEacE8/w-d-xo.html
didn't realize the last stanza sounds ominous and scary
beautiful
His knowledge of chord movement is quite remarkable, Lots of leading tones and resolutions.
This is unbeleivably great. The insane talent of Paul Simon in full flow, and in an environment of genuine engagement and involvement from both interlocutors. Modern TV is rubbish, let's face it.
People don't get how good he is on guitar
I DO! the guy is a fkn monster. He's just unassuming as hell.
I didn't realize it until I went to play his stuff. I can only do the "simplified" versions. I finally got down my own rendition of Something So Right. Took months and is but a shadow of Paul's genius.
@@shawnstarks1743 damn right. I noticed I can't even find tabs of his music that are considered 100% accurate because he played his songs so differently each time. He was also very fluid and dynamic and just played off the cuff. Just like most blues and jazz style playing.
@@larsfaye292 Yea dude, him and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull "Thick as a brick". Two of the most unlikely looking rock stars. KILLERS. Something about those guys of the 60's and 70's. No youtube no Tab books that they had to learn from. FKN GIANTS!
People don't get much
I listen to this for 5 seconds and my mind is already sitting at a bar talking to my old love.
"and I ain't no fool for love songs that whisper in your ears"
Simon has the chops to put it all out there and not hide behind flamboyance like most popular musicians. Solid.
I just watched this for the second time and while Paul was playing Still Crazy all I could do was watch his hands on the guitar. He plays so effortlessly; he makes it look really easy.
Looks so easy, looks so clean. Moves like Gods immaculate machine.
That's because he's a....professional:)
Paul Simon is one of the smoothest musicians you will ever see. Hugely intelligent and talented.
Notice how Simon burns Cavett at 4:15 in commenting on using comic bits more than twice...essentially what Cavett did in responding to Simon's notes about chord & note selection. Simon is a real class act!
Simon.was just being honest and sincere. There was no burning going on on either side.
Here he plays the song on the guitar in D. On the record it was played on electric piano in G. What he actually ended up doing after that second verse, the part he is trying to write in the video, was brilliant. He modulated the key up a whole step and wrote a gorgeous bridge melody for the lyrics “four in the morning…”
Paul Simon: Although the listener will not ever consciously say "Those are two new notes I haven't heard," in fact, it will be refreshing to the ear.
Harry S. Plinkett: You might not have noticed that. BUT YOUR BRAIN DID.
Nice!
Paul was my first love since I was 10. I love him now as I loved him then.
One of my favorite interviews of all time. I wish Paul would've recorded the song this way, the orchestral arrangement on his recording was much less beautiful than his solo acoustic guitar.
Shiftless Lazycrat Holy crap, right!!
Thinking the same thing.
what I think every time I come back to this video. such passion and beauty when he does this acoustic
Ya, I wish it was recorded just him and the acoustic.
Check out Josh Turner’s version: th-cam.com/video/Ifb9pMolZAQ/w-d-xo.html
Says he doesn't know how to finish the song
*proceeds to play one of the most beautiful songs ever*
Jimmy Fallon would laugh after every line if this was on Tonight Show 😂
They drank beers! That's hilarious!
Paul gave, quite possibly, the most critical songwriting tip here. The listener needs variety in a song so that they stay engaged from start to finish. The introduction of a key change or a new chord, even a rhythmic variation are all ways to keep your listener engaged. More profoundly he theorizes that this is true in other modes of expression such as comedy. I think Dick really seemed to enjoy that.
Yes, that was some very cool insight into not just songwriting, but other creative endeavors. I don't know a lot of his songs (yet) on guitar, but I have noticed he often uses more than one key in a song - which is a little unusual (like in Mrs. Robinson, but it's subtle). On the other hand, some very old classic songs have only three or four chords in the same key, and those kill. So, more than one way to approach things, which is very interesting.
This is like watching people (both of them) catch lightning in a bottle. The song is a classic and we can watch it being born. Paul Simon is a genius for writing just this song.
+Gregory White We are pretentious...but we are not. Are we? This has always been a problem for me.
+Gregory White Do you have an answer for that, Gregory? I will die wanting one.
Greg White
Great song, indeed. One of Simon’s best.
It’s interesting that he’s talking here about being stuck on the bridge.
What he eventually came up with for that section of the song is so perfect. Dreamy, wistful, quietly regretful.
@@written12 All with a driving, insistent beat behind it. Great description!!
His playing is so smooth, what a master.
I would so love to see all of this episode. I'm dying to know more about Paul Simon's personality and Dick Cavett always seemed to somehow bring this out in people. He seems like such an awkard guy, yet his guests just completely open up where they don't on other shows.
Four in the morning... crapped out,yawning.... longing my life away.... I’d have to say he found the perfect lyrics and created a melody the likes of Mozart. Pure Genius!!
Can’t even imagine how cool it would have been to see this live whether in person or the first time it aired, seeing this song in its incomplete form. Such an incredibly beautiful song.
Cavett eventually cools it with the endless quips to allow the moment with Paul Simon to emerge.
Exactly!
4:41
"For my uh, span of attention which is a...."
A short little span of attention?
Brandon Thompson best comment on TH-cam
Lol. Take a bow!
This is one of the most underrated comments on TH-cam.
@@bleinmeis Aw fuck up
Hats off
amazing how such a simple sounding song has ten million diminished chords and inversions!
Funny, but never though this was a simple sounding song at all. It's full of odd jazz chords and jazz transitions. And then there's that radical break to a different key in the middle section (he doesn't play it in this video), the "Four in the morning, crapped out, yawning" part.
That's what adds the richness to it...if you buy one of those crappy "Songs For Buskers" type books you'll probably find this in there written in a simplified form that sounds passable, but it's the opening up of those chords that makes it so much more.
I totally agree. Though it's a magnificent vocalline, it doesn't sound "difficult". Paul could have used less chords (for easy guitar! ;) ), but his genius is that he makes even this imho pretty clever arrangement sound "simple". No, he makes it sound logical! I'm ususally a fan of pretty straight chords, but Paul is one of the few artists that never ceases to amaze me on how he arranges his wonderful compositions with surprising chord-changes. Awesome!!!!
BTW: we must not confuse composition (vocalline and lyrics) with arrangement....
@sabbracadabra Obviously anyone able to write like this has to have a ton of musical talent, but it certainly takes a lot of practice as well. I'm not convinced Paul Simon could have written this same song in, say 1964, talented as he is and obviously was already back then. But in 1976 he was fifteen or so years into the craft, and I think that is as essential as the raw talent.
Paul is a genius. No more words to say.
Thanks for uploading this. You just turned me into an instant Paul Simon fan, as a result of looking up the "Still Crazy After All These Years" album and listening through it now. This was just a bit before my time.
When I saw No Country for Old Men for the first time I immediately associated Anton Chigurh's "look" with 70s Paul Simon
I kinda see what you mean with the hair but, that's where it ends, I was getting many other things out of the video, weren't you?
I call that hair style the Liberty Bell.
Good eye, Friendo
Man, he's so good damn good - as a song writer but as well as a guitar player.
And singer.
The wonderful fluidity of his chord changes are a joy to watch
They're speaking so matter-of-factly about the birth of such an utterly magnificent song. Even in its incomplete form, it's one of the greatest pieces of songwriting I've ever heard.
Can you imagine this happening on TV today?
No
I could see it on Colbert
Today the conversation would be on how to setup the autotune.
@THE GREAT JIMBO win
Blake Shelton wouldn't turn around, Adam Levine would try to "fix" Paul's voice by coaching him to add falsetto, and Heidi Klum would say he's adorable but too boring for her.
Paul takes the title ' legend' just one step further......
I admire that way Simon does the fills between chords!
Having heard this song for most of my life it's really weird to see a time when this song was only half finished , merely an imagination and full of potential , he has no idea at this point it'll become a classic .
It’s the first time I remark that Paul Simon looked like Paco De Lucia!
Yes..the hair reminds me!
Yes, very much so
'74, the song was released in 75,it was a hit along with 50 ways to leave your lover.
Creation of a song is so darn wonderful
How would anyone who would even want to play this video in the first place not like it????? It was beautiful, informative, and interesting.
Simon was a genius. Beautiful voice and beautiful song writing. Unique.
I love this man's voice.
It paints a memory every time I hear this awesome song.
“I would have gone for a D8, but that’s okay..” lol
"Still crazyyy, after alllll these yearssss" ...inventive ...flows perfectly 🥰 ...so true 👍
If there was ever a doubt about Paul Simon’s musical genius...
The guy is a gifted genius..we are all very lucky to hear him….
i love his beautiful chords -- had no idea that he was this knowledgeable in theory and perceptive to how the audience will hear his music. i have a new founding respect to him. great musician
Paul Simon is so good and so unique. His songs are a musical experience and his musicians are just amazing. Steve Gadd on drums who played on Aja album. He is a slice of New York as well. Brilliant.
what a beautiful share.
Just my tuppence, a beautiful moment of a genuine truly gifted musician sharing his thought process in what has to be one of the best if not the best chord progression in modern music...his most touching song ever.
can you imagine the atmosphere while he was playing that for the first time?! I had goosebumps watchin it from me laptop
Just stumbled on this. I was actually watching Dick Cavett as a kid (we stayed up late on weekends at Dad's) and saw this very show. In 1975 when the finished song came out as the title track to "Still Crazy" I said to myself, well he did finally finish that song from the Cavett show!
I would give anything to go back in time and tell Paul, "Hey try this: Four in the morning, Im crapped out and yawning, dreaming my life away...." he would think I was a genius!!!
tapped out and yawning. a time machine would be cool, no doubt.
Edgar Trask that made me smile!
Isn't it longing my life away?
@@jeffreygranger6913 It is indeed. Long live mondegreens.
Would be hilarious if he then said “no, I don’t think I like that.” Lmao
What an incredible writer!! I’m just in awe of him.
Paul Simon has a spiritual presence.
Very much, it's who he is
This host is Great! The conversion is on a whole new level! Our TV entertainers could learn a lot from these two gentleman.
I didn't feel that way at all. Cavett kept interrupting with corny jokes that were all basically variations on the same theme.
That was incredible. Thank you, internets!
Ahh yes, back in the day... Paul was so young and now we're both much, much older. I wish we could go back and do it over.
i'm a composer, yet i am still fascinated by other composers & their composition process. where does it come from? different composers will give u different answers, but it all boils down to it being a mystery. that's what makes it so fascinating. we're painting pictures with sounds & rhythms.
"...there's no creating really....the song already exists....it just needs to be revealed..." Paul Simon
@@mauriciobeltre14 holy shit
He's got a short little span of attention
+neonatalpenguin :D
+neonatalpenguin What if I died here?
Who'll be my role model?
Now that my role model is gone
The rest of his life is so long.
What a treat that was to watch, being from Northern Ireland I'd never seen Cavett, so to see his refreshingly laid back, not to mention informal style of interviewing is in total contrast to the almost confrontational style of interviewer seen nowadays, and it was also a delight to hear Simon, who is a masterful performer.
Many thanks to the uploader, as this video has brightened my day up no end, as "Still Crazy" is one of my all time favourites.
"Theater people come at music from a different direction." He's right! My acting friends always had this whole different quality to their songwriting.
So glad I stumbled across this today. Bring back conversations like this on TV!
Man I love this freaking song!!! I can hear it 4 ever
This cat is in my all time top three! The other two, Paul McCartney and Carol King. They let me drift on such a comfortable wave for several decades.
If played in the key of D, he opted for going to Emajor... On 'four' he's at a D#, on 'in' he hits that C#, and he doesn't hit that C, in the melody anyways, but with his D9 and D7 chords, the C note is still in the song. But lordy that bridge going into that sax solo is mind mindbogglingly beautiful, I think in no small part due to this little trick of Paul's. The Sax solo is this incredible relief after that complex bridge that twists and turns, that solo just hanging out in one spot around the tonic chord for a bit. The contrast is very satisfying. Although the whole song he ended up switching I believe to G major (with a quick allusion to the bridge at the front in A), but the principles remain.
All sounds wonderful 😊 Wish I understood it! Do you know if there is a TAB of this anywhere?
Absolutely beautiful song. Incredible song writing
I mentioned it in a reply to another comment as well, but I believe that for anyone to write like this there has to be a ton of musical talent present of course, but it certainly has to take a lot of practice as well. I'm not convinced Paul Simon could have written this same song in, say 1964, talented as he is and obviously was already back then. But in 1975 he was fifteen or so years into the craft of making original music, and I believe that has to be as essential as the raw talent.
He definitely developed as a musician over time. You won't find many complex jazz chords in his early S&G work, but his later solo stuff is filled with them.
I’m 60. I’ve had a pretty weird life. But reading some of these comments and sharing so many opinion I’m thinking maybe my life isn’t that weird at all. 😬 ❤️
This guy is a really genius!!!!!
Brilliant, and so rare, perhaps unique - a genius in the middle of a composition.
Like hearing Gershwin in the middle of Rhapsody in Blue.
A great musical lesson for guitarists from a master and wonderful banter and entertainment to boot ..great post!!