Five Rock Covers of Songs by Paul Simon

Paul Simon is one of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation. With Art Garfunkel and as a solo artist, Simon has penned many songs that have become standards; “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is perhaps his most well-known song, but Simon has many other popular compositions. Even in the years long after splitting with Garfunkel, his success has continued: between 1991 and 2016 alone he sold more than seven million albums in the U.S. alone.

Paul Simon is rarely considered a rocker; the subtlety and nuance of his artistry places him more in the singer-songwriter, pop or folk categories (and then there’s his foray into so-called “world music,” 1986’s mega-successful Graceland LP). But rock artists have long appreciated his songwriting prowess, and many have recast Simon’s songs into a harder-edged style. On the 60^th anniversary of Paul Simon’s solo debut album (1965’s The Paul Simon Songbook), here are five rock covers of his songs.

(Note: Wings performed a superb version of Simon’s “Richard Cory” on their American tour, with lead vocals by Denny Laine and documented on Wings Over America, but that one’s folky and acoustic, so we’ve left it off this list of rocking covers.)

“America” by Yes from The New Age of Atlantic (1972)
British progressive rock heroes Yes broke through to the big time with their third album, 1971’s The Yes Album. Their earlier albums failed to chart in the U.S.; though solid efforts, they revealed a band still developing its signature style and songwriting skills (and its classic lineup). The band’s self-titled 1969 debut album included covers of songs by The Beatles and The Byrds; 1970’s Time and a Word found them covering Richie Havens and Stephen Stills. Around that time, Yes also recorded a reading of Paul Simon’s “America,” though it was initially released only on an Atlantic Records various-artists collection. “America” eventually resurfaced on a Yes compilation, Yesterdays, in 1975.

“Mother and Child Reunion” by Randy California from Kapt. Kopter & The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds (1972)
Los Angeles-based Spirit was one of the most adventurous American bands of their era. Originally active from 1967-73, Spirit earned critical praise and occasional pop chart success; “I Got a Line on You” remains their best-known song. Guitarist Randy California (born Wolfe and given a new surname by Jimi Hendrix) made an idiosyncratic but excellent solo album in 1972, and among its tracks is an inventive reworking of “Mother and Child Reunion,” originally heard on Simon’s second (and self-titled) solo album of the same year.

“Hazy Shade of Winter” by The Bangles from the Less Than Zero soundtrack (1987)
The Bangles’ prowess as songwriters is often overlooked, and that’s understandable: some of their biggest hits and best-loved songs were written by other artists (Prince, Alex Chilton etc.). Not to take anything away from their compositional skills, The Bangles were often at their best with their excellent interpretations of songs by others. Perhaps nowhere is that skill more evident than on the band’s sharp, uptempo cover of “Hazy Shade of Winter,” which is among the finest Paul Simon covers of all time. The Bangles’ recording was first heard as part of the soundtrack of the film Less Than Zero.

“Mrs. Robinson” by The Lemonheads from It’s a Shame About Ray (1992)
Evan Dando’s band The Lemonheads were one of the brightest spots in the 1980s and ‘90s alt-rock scene. With an ever-changing lineup, the band nonetheless turned out an impressive body of work. The Lemonheads’ major-label debut (in fact their fifth album) featured an alternative rock hit in its title track; “It’s a Shame About Ray” reached No. 5 on the Modern Rock Singles chart. The band’s followup single, a spirited cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” fared nearly as well, reaching No. 8 on that chart, and appearing on singles charts in the UK and Australia as well.

“The Boy in the Bubble” by Patti Smith from Twelve (2007)
Poet and musician Patti Smith is not primarily a covers artist; her artistry is centered around her vivid and incisive lyrics. But for her tenth studio album, 2007’s well-received Twelve, Smith recorded a baker’s dozen of songs by artists whose work she admired. Covers of songs by George Harrison, R.E.M., Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Gregg Allman, Nirvana and others showed her appreciation and understanding of her contemporaries. Smith’s reading of this deep track off Simon’s Graceland is a highlight of the album.