Weeks away from his 77th birthday, Paul Simon said farewell to fans at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on the final stop of his Homeward Bound Farewell Tour. New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio introduced Simon, calling him "one of the greatest New York City artists of all time." I was lucky enough to catch Simon on this tour at his stop in St. Paul, MN on June 8.
When Simon announced back in February this would be his final tour I did not doubt in my mind that I would find a way to attend a show. I had purchased tickets to his Denver show on May 31. Unfortunately, something came up, and we were unable to attend, so I promptly sold those tickets and purchased two tickets to the St. Paul show. I asked my sister if she would be interested in attending what I thought would be a once in a lifetime show.
I had seen Simon live three times before. In Denver, Kansas City and Lincoln. To say that I am a Paul Simon fan is a gross understatement. The man has had dozens of hits, won sixteen Grammys and written lyrics that are on an entirely different level. His book, Lyrics 1964-2008 is incredible. In my opinion, he is the greatest singer and songwriter of our time. I think his voice and music is a talent we’ll never see again. His voice, at 76 is boyish and clear-youthful. I’ve never heard any age to it listening to my records than going to one of his shows. It’s a fine-tuned instrument that he has preserved beautifully.
Simon and his music mean so much to me that I have a lyric from my favorite Simon song tattooed on my arm.
The song tells the story of surrealist artist Rene Magritte and his wife, Georgette. Simon came across a photograph of the couple with the title ‘Rene and Georgette Magritte with their dog during the war,’ in a book while he was visiting the home of Joan Baez. It’s such a beautiful song and one of the best he has written.
Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog after the war
Returned to their hotel suite
And they unlocked the door
Easily losing their evening clothes
They danced by the light of the moon
To the Penguins, the Moonglows
The Orioles, and The Five Satins
The deep forbidden music
They'd been longing for
Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog after the war
Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog after the war
Were strolling down Christopher Street
When they stopped in a men's store
With all of the mannequins dressed in the style
That brought tears to their immigrant eyes
Just like The Penguins, the Moonglows
The Orioles, and The Five Satins
The easy stream of laughter
Flowing through the air
Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog apres la guerre
Side by side
They fell asleep
Decades gliding by like Indians
Time is cheap
When they wake up, they will find
All their personal belongings
Have intertwined
Oh Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog after the war
Were dining with the power elite
And they looked in their bedroom drawer
And what do you think
They have hidden away
In the cabinet cold of their hearts?
The Penguins, the Moonglows
The Orioles, and The Five Satins
For now and ever after
As it was before
Rene and Georgette Magritte
With their dog after the war
My tattoo says ‘They dance by the light of the moon,’ and I love it so much. Rene and Georgette has seen a bit of a resurgence with the farewell tour. Simon has reintroduced it to a to a new audience on this tour. When I found out it was on the setlist, I about lost my mind. During the Minnesota concert the lights dimmed and the chamber ensemble yMusic appeared. I wasn’t sure this was it, but it started with the violin, and I knew. It was even more beautiful than I could have imagined. I wept all the way through it and sang it directly into the ear of the guy next to me who was a total stranger.
The crowd was older, but everyone was out of their seats for Me, and Julio Down by the Schoolyard and You Can Call Me Al. Simon has the most energetic presence on stage and knows how to put on a show.
Nearing the end of the concert a montage of photos videos played behind Simon as he played Homeward Bound. We all knew this was it for us, Simon was going to move on with the tour and keep moving closer to the final farewell.
Last week his album ‘In the Blue Light’ came in the mail. His live version of Rene and Georgette with their Dog After the War is on it, along with a couple of songs he played on this farewell tour. His voice is still great as is his writing. The songs are wonderful, and it’s a great album. I hate to see him go, but I can't fault the guy for leaving and wanting to take a break after devoting his life to his music and his fans.
There isn’t enough that I can say about what Paul Simon has done for me. He has always been my go-to when I need something musically. He has lyrics/beats for any occasion or mood. There are songs for when I'm down and need that heavy low beat. There are songs for when I need to sing out loud in the car alone. He has a song for every mood. He has lyrics that speak to me on every level. I have spent countless hours in my car listening to his music, each word, each sentence, each message, trying to decipher it or trying to understand what it means to me. The man is a poet like no other, and no other musician or writer has had that effect on me.
June 8, 2018, Xcel Center St. Paul, MN setlist.
America; 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover; The Boy in the Bubble; Dazzling Blue; That Was Your Mother; Rewrite; Mother and Child Reunion; Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard; Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War; Can't Run But; Wristband; Spirit Voices; The Obvious Child; Questions for the Angels; The Cool, Cool River; Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes; You Can Call Me Al; Graceland; Still Crazy After All These Years; Late in the Evening; Homeward Bound; Kodachrome; The Boxer; American Tune; The Sound of Silence.
