Entertainment

‘God Drenched’: Paul Simon May Be ‘Not…Religious’ — But Believers Sure Love His Latest Album

Believers Love Paul Simons Latest Album So Beautiful or So WhatListen again to the storied lyrics of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Sounds of Silence”—assuming those tunes aren’t already hardwired in your brain—and you might find yourself agreeing that legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon doesn’t mind infusing his music with spiritual themes from time to time.

But for the Jewish-raised troubadour to spend his most recent album, the critically acclaimed So Beautiful or So What, singing about Jesus, angels, the afterlife, and other elements close to the heart of Christianity?

Well, that‘s a narrative turn even Simon didn’t expect.

“It’s funny,” Simon, 70, reflected in a recent PBS interview, “for somebody who’s not a religious person, God comes up a lot in my songs.”

You can watch the entire interview below:

Simon’s most recent project took 6th place in Christianity Today‘s top albums of 2011. CT’s review of So Beautiful or So What, which garnered five out of five stars, noted that Simon is “clearly content with life’s perplexities, humble in the face of what is bigger than himself.”

Spiritual things are “part of my thoughts on a fairly regular basis. I think of it more as spiritual feeling,” Simon told Kim Lawton, who interviewed him for the PBS segment and penned a follow-up piece for CT. “It’s something I recognize in myself and that I enjoy, and I don’t quite understand it.”

Believers Love Paul Simons Latest Album So Beautiful or So WhatYou don’t get that impression digging into the spiritually aware lyrics of So Beautiful or So What. One of its best examples is “Getting Ready for Christmas Day,” the catchy, vibrant opener for which Simon samples audio of a 1941 sermon (with the same title) by the Rev. J.M. Gates.

The result is a kind of bittersweet advent prayer—a mix of life’s ups and downs, with Simon’s protagonist looking toward “the power and the glory and the story of the Christmas Day”:

From early in November to the last week of December
I got money matters weighing me down
Oh the music may be merry, but it’s only temporary
I know Santa Claus is coming to town

In the days I work my day job, in the nights I work my night
But it all comes down to working man’s pay
Getting ready, I’m getting ready, ready for Christmas Day

(Reverend Gates) Getting ready for Christmas Day. And let me tell you, namely, the undertaker, he’s getting ready for your body. Not only that, the jailer he’s getting ready for you. Christmas Day. Hmm? And not only the jailer, but the lawyer, the police force. Now getting ready for Christmas Day, and I want you to bear it in mind.

You can check out the song’s music video below:

In the behind-the-scenes video (below), Simon appears a bit in awe of how Gates’ sermon just seemed “meant” for his music and lyrics:

“The Afterlife”—a whimsical tune with insightful perspectives on eternity—features a striking lyric offering that a face-to-face meeting with God should obliterate any earthly burdens we bear:

After you climb up the ladder of time
The Lord God is near
Face-to-face in the vastness of space
Your words disappear
And you feel like you’re swimming in an ocean of love
And the current is strong

And check out the opening salvo of “Love and Hard Times”:

God and His only Son
Paid a courtesy call on Earth
One Sunday morning
Orange blossoms opened their fragrant lips
Songbirds sang from the tips of Cottonwoods
Old folks wept for His love in these hard times

Based on such a collection of (dare we say) biblically rich lyrics, one can‘t help wondering what’s been going on in Simon’s soul of late, whether he understands those goings on or not.

Others haven’t waited for the fabled bard to figure it all out.

Cathleen Falsani, an acclaimed Christian cultural and arts critic, calls So Beautiful or So What “one of the most beautiful, gracefully powerful and memorable collections of spiritual musical musings in recent memory.” She adds a declaration from fellow believer and critic, Northern Ireland’s Steve Stockman, that Simon’s latest effort is “so God drenched that it could win best Christian album of the year.”

It came close, but that would seem a trivial concern to Simon, who clearly gets more out of enjoying this strange turn in his spiritual journey…wherever it takes him.

“Quite often, people read or hear things in my songs that I think are more true than what I wrote,” he told Lawton. “I feel I’m like a vessel, and it passed through me, and I’m glad.”

Comments (35)

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  • ADAK
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:50pm

    I love his drummer. Who is it?

    Report Post »  
  • disenlightened
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:46pm

    He’s always been nails on chalkboard for me. And those stupid, malformed ball caps he wears to hide his pattern baldness are so gay.

    Report Post » disenlightened  
    • richard the lion-hearted
      Posted on February 1, 2012 at 10:46pm

      Missed the whole article did ya just to tell of your musical appreciation deficiency? A cry for help maybe? There may be a group for you out there somewhere…

      Report Post » richard the lion-hearted  
  • Sail Away
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 4:18pm

    Paul Simon has always been “deep.” I love him and his music. He is a true artist.

    Report Post »  
  • coffeenomics
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 12:12pm

    The album will have record sales simply due to Glenn’s mention of it.

    Report Post »  
  • MarsBarsTru7
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:58am

    I don’t like his politics, but he is a very talented man and has made some very beautiful music in his lifetime.

    Report Post »  
  • JQCitizen
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:56am

    I do believe God created music to speak to man’s soul of His Greatness! Just like any gift of God, music can be mis-used, but even then, the wonder of musics inate quality, its rythms, its melody, its harmony speak to us of God’s Himself, in all His Beauty.

    Reminds me of the scripture passage which says, “,,, even the wrath of men shall praise me…”

    Report Post »  
    • richard the lion-hearted
      Posted on February 1, 2012 at 10:50pm

      How many times the Spirit of God has spoken to me through music, I cannot even number, and not just hymns. The feeling you get from music will tell you if it‘s harmonious with God’s will or not just by the emotion it invokes within you.

      Report Post » richard the lion-hearted  
    • anointedpsalmist.org
      Posted on February 2, 2012 at 2:24am

      Paul Simon in spite of his natural self is being drawn to his destiny by his loving heavenly father. this is what happened to me I heard a song on the radio I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me. I wa so touched and drawn I was so emotional but when I found out it was a Christian song I was surprised and a bit offended. Fast forward years later I am born again and I am writing love songs to the LORD wondering how he chose to lay his life down for me, joyfully to be brutalized and humiliated and crucified even though he knew I’d deny him. It staggers the human imagination but it is true. When I asked What Kind Of Love would cause him to do this for me the result was this song.
      http://youtu.be/zi1siwA5EO8

      Report Post » anointedpsalmist.org  
  • americanchristiansoldier
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:52am

    God is incredible! He amazes me more each day.

    Report Post »  
  • RagingJudge
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:35am

    Reminds me of Creed. They maintain their music isn’t “Christian music”, just spiritual with many Biblical allusions, even if they are all Christian. Matters not to me, I‘m just very grateful for the peace they’ve been able to bring to my life with their excellent music and insightful spiritual messages. Especially now that Scott Stapp has cleaned his act up and turned his life around, truly an inspiring story not unlike Glenn’s.

    I guess Simon fits a similar description!

    Report Post » RagingJudge  
  • FORLORNHOPE
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:14am

    I can dig it.

    Report Post »  
  • PurrrpleMtnMajesty
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 10:24am

    If I were him, I think I’d look at this, sit up and take notice where my inspiration was coming from.
    I can only hope for more.

    Report Post »  
    • TunaBlue
      Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:40am

      He knows. We all know. Some of us deny and fight with our our hearts understanding of the true reality, and work at believing other stories. What and who would we be without our stories?

      Report Post »  
  • Propertyof IAM
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:39am

    HMMM.. We remember His first coming, His birth, on Christmas Day, however corrupted the date and correlation to pagan festivals, it is, non the less a remembrance of His first coming that we celebrate. I am compelled to think of His second coming when I hear this, Getting Ready, watching & praying, Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. Mark 13:33

    Paul better listen to his heart, the voice of The Lord is coming through, pray for him.
    Jeremiah 24:7
    And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

    We all know in our hearts, so none is without excuse.

    Report Post »  
  • WATCHBIRD
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:16am

    “I will choose whom I will choose.” – G-d, The Bible

    Report Post »  
  • Saralynn
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:36am

    Even the rocks will cry out.

    Report Post »  
  • Keats
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:31am

    If there is a Christian who doesn‘t like Simon’s “Silent Eyes” then they aren’t a Christian. Google it. One of the most beautiful songs EVER. And while occassionally used by the American left, “American Tune” really and truly is an anthem for Conservatives today. If you aren’t familiar with either of these tunes, don’t bother with a “new” album cuz you don’t know nuthin.

    Report Post »  
    • acovenantinblood
      Posted on February 1, 2012 at 9:17am

      “for somebody who’s not a religious person, God comes up a lot in my songs.”

      “He who is not for Me is against Me.”

      Report Post » acovenantinblood  
  • imsteph
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:30am

    know your potential market? could be.
    but the lyrics are sweet, beautiful, and haunting.
    never a huge simon fan…
    but it sounds like God might be working in him a powerful revelation, whether simon realizes yet or not.

    Report Post » imsteph  
    • munacra
      Posted on February 1, 2012 at 11:41am

      It could be that the Holy Spirit is working with Paul these days. Maybe touching his heart since it sounds as though he is OPENING his heart to the possibilities of who is God, and how his Son died for his sins past present and future.

      Report Post » munacra  
  • just a patriot
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:27am

    Paul Simon’s music has always touched my soul. Even more so now. Thank you!

    Report Post »  
  • grannyrecipe
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:27am

    This song has the same artistic quality and originality as his album Graceland. And his voice is remarkable in that it still sounds like his older material but seasoned.

    Report Post » grannyrecipe  
  • layla
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:24am

    great song.

    Report Post »  
  • layla
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:18am

    the Lord works in mysterious ways.

    Report Post »  
  • bigdaddyt46
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 8:07am

    ATTENTION PAUL God is talking to you all you have to do is open your ears to hear his voice, and open your heart to recieve his gifts.

    with that said i am not a huge fan, but have enjoyed his music for years

    Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
  • SLARTIBARTFAST
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:57am

    It’s been about 6-7 years since I bought a new CD, and I’ll be buying this one. The “Christmas Day” video was awesome. You can’t fake this kind of thing. Who‘d’a thunk it out of an old Lib like Simon?

    Report Post » SLARTIBARTFAST  
  • LANE131
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:32am

    Good time to put out a CD like this, because of the new freedoms brough in by the arab spring in Egypt and other middle eastern countrys, muslims will be free to flock the the stores and buy this CD.
    BOY THEIR NEW FOUND FREEDOM IS GREAT!!

    Report Post »  
  • rickfromthecape
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 7:21am

    Hey, God used a donkey to speak to Balaam….just sayin”

    Report Post » rickfromthecape  
  • BlindSquirrel57
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:59am

    Paul Simon singing about God is like liberals saying they love America, void of passion, otherwise meaningless.

    Report Post »  
  • TC
    Posted on February 1, 2012 at 6:51am

    Very nice. I may just have to buy it!

    Report Post » TC  
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