I believe Paul Simon is an international treasure. He captures so many moments in the lives of so many that his music touches and captivates. Thank you.

❤ Paul Simon is a gift to humanity.

I find him so interesting. Simple. Not showy. Genius. Gives me a feeling of a warm breeze just by listening and watching him.

Listening to Paul Simon talk is simply wonderful. I've been listening to his music for about thirteen years. He's just brilliant and such a great musician.

Still relevant after all these years. Thank you, friend of our youth. May you continue composing the timeless songs of of every generation. We do love you.

Such a national treasure. A class act...notice how he is on stage with the band... he's playing WITH them, not being a Diva and sort of saying, "try to keep up...". At the end he looks over at Paul Shaffer and thanks him and then starts shaking hands with other band members and thanking them as well. Class and respect.

Paul Simon has so much class...it's beautiful, Doesn't sell his music for commercials. Instead of reaching for mass appeal, he is to his own self true. Instills in his music sincerity, uniqueness. I love to watch him sing, or even talk. It's great to hear him talk about his process. A real artist.

Will there ever be another Paul Simon. Thlooksat purity with beauty. A poetical musician artist that touches you splendidly. Same with his looks - beyond handsome.

His way of talking almost seemlessly melts together with his singing. He's a genuine storyteller who uses the art of music to convey his story. Thnx for this!

If your a musician, there's always something you can learn watching a Paul Simon interview.

Graceland is a wickedly good album

Paul is a musical genius.

The music of the spring, summer and autumn of my life ❤️

A genius; plain ans simple.

I went to see Paul Simon & Sting a week ago. About 29 years later than when this was recorded. I got goosebumps about four times and enjoyed the show very much. Paul Simon is still today 73 years old and can still give a very good show. I will do what I can to make his music live on. That is a promise!

It’s amazing how David treats him with such respect knowing he is in the presence of greatness.

a major Talent who has sustained a magical career

Paul and his music seems timeless and most relevant to the times. Been listening to him for six decades. Thank you .

Paul Simon is such a gentleman, impressive also only talking without singing, a pure brain he is

I would give him such a cuddle

I love that Paul Simon wore a Turkey suit on S.N.L. for thanks giving and sang Still crazy after all these years

Gold. Genius is humble as always!

HE WAS SO TALENTED HUMBLE AND I CAN’T BELIEVE HE WAS INSECURE HE WAS HANDSOME TO ME HELL TO A LOT OF LADIES 👧🏼👩‍🦱👩🏾👩🏼‍🦳❤️

Cool interview and I really like the version of the song. I don't recall seeing it back then but Letterman's house band was rarely so subtle in their treatment of songs they played on. Great to hear, thanks for posting!

HE DID SO MUCH FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE AFRICAN MUSICIANS THANK YOU HANDSOME 😘

My favorite haircut of all haircuts. I just love his wit and humor as much as his talent.

Thanks Neil

Neil...um Paul .... this was the funniest show... love it... tks for the gr8est music of all time... loved both but Art was my fav personality but admired Paul so much - great talent - love to see he can lighten up... effectively too!! 😄😄😄

Paul Simon , a true musician and gentleman . He shook hands with the bass player . Cool .

He’s an American treasure.

Good interview, he seemed more relaxed here than in the one in 1982

Awesome man and talent

Daniel, all your clips are awesome. In pre-internet days I would have been green with envy at your collection, so thank you for uploading this GREAT stuff.

Great interview with a musical icon. Love The Boxer!

Paul uploaded this song on his yt today. He's amazing all around.

It's pretty funny listening to this show NOW in 2024. Letterman asked him if he was in it for the long haul and said that Paul's career has been "long" lol. He's still singing, writing, and playing music today nearly FOUR decades later. The Boxer is a masterpiece and in my opinion Paul's best work AND no doubt why Paul chose to perform it as he said "The touching part will come in my performance.", I couldn't agree more. Good times with the best singer-songwriter of all time. I just thought of something after I posted and wanted to "edit" and share my thoughts; My mother has told me many times throughout my life that when I was born, she "knew" me. Knew HOW I would be as a person shortly after being born. Interesting at the least. I've also heard a similar statement in the bible. That God knows you before you're born. Not everything you will choose to do, but HOW you are going to BE/conduct yourself as a person. It's very interesting that in one of the verses of The Boxer, which is often left out during performances, Paul sings "After changes upon changes, we are more or less the same". The Boxer was written by Paul in 1969 which was very early in his career and he KNEW this about people.... You are who you are, from the beginning and more or less until the end. He's clearly an intellectual genius with an inherent understanding that is far beyond the vast majority of humans. Almost unbelievably so.

Paul Simon is a shining example of, do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.

A big and talented artist !

Always a pleasure to listen to Paul talk about his music. Love that he sang an oldie (the easiest song that I can sing 😅) though it would have been better without the band. As much as I love the Simon and Garfunkel sound (harmonies 💕) I prefer to listen to him sing those songs solo. He never really needed Art, it just worked for a while.

"thanks Neil!" nice callback, Dave

Great interview Daniel. Thanks for the upload.

Thank you for uploading this video....

Fantastic.

Good comeback by Dave when Paul talks about resenting big offers for his songs on commercials.

What a pleasant fellow!

My God is Graceland one of ther finest musical album ever done.

Finding the extra verse of the The Boxer is like hunting a phantom. I heard of it long before I saw it from a girlfriend who was a big fan of both Simon and Letterman and must've seen this performance. But a recording wasn't anywhere to be found either in albums by S&G or solo albums. Then one day around 1990,in a tiny record store I happened upon an LP that was out of print. It was called "Live Rhymin" and was a recording of a concert he'd played in the early 70s. And there it was, the extra, brilliant verse. The album was later released on CD in the early 2000s, so I now have two copies. I have a theory, never confirmed, that the extra verse was written back before S&G originally recorded it and was cut due to time. Remember it's kind of a long song to begin with and A&R guys want a song of no more than three and a half minutes. But this is just a theory.

So handsome talented he has it all just love him

Wow, that day was my 1st year birthday!

i've always liked his music, they got his Whole Discography in the Library, I go in an turn the volume up to 100 decibels.

A national treasure Paul Simon.

I want to be my generations' Paul Simon. I write songs, and you can hear them here on KZfaq. I wouldn't be caught dead on any late night show today (2022). Peace. 🐰💙🇺🇲🎸🎶✌️

thank you neil !

11:17 - Thanks Neil! :D

If you are a budding guitar player, your strum hand is just as important as your fret hand. Watch Paul strumming here...the way he moves his hand to various parts over and around the sound hole...and the rhythm....fantastic stuff....God bless you Mr Simon.

thank you!!!! i'm a massive fan

Love this!

15:13 Paul Simon smiles at Paul Shafer when Shafer switches from piano and starts playing the orchestral string parts. Musician moments.

So sad we could never see Paul Simon in Cape Town.

Paul Simon was so handsome ❤❤❤❤👍

Am I the only person who thinks that Paul simon looks younger in 1986 than he did in 1980/

Letterman looks like Garfunkel after a rough night :-)

Let's not forget that these interviews are done for the sole purpose of promoting a new album, Book or upcoming concert. It's how the industry works, have a little chat about the past etc, but make sure you sell what you are there to sell. 100s of Agents are contacted each week and interviews are only granted if there is something to sell. So although it's called a guest lists, it mainly consists of plugging songs, concerts, books, movies etc. You hear artist say they get annoyed being asked the same question, it's because they they really only want to talk about and promote what they are currently doing

I was born on September 10 eleven years later!

Paul answers questions as a true lawyer would. And, very pragmatic. Just love him!!!

This episode was broadcast on 25 November 1987 - a few weeks before the benefit concert that is mentioned (13 December 1987)

I stumbled upon this tonight after rewatching the whole Letterman-Harmony Korine saga last night (probably no coincidence). The first two Qs and As here reminded me of all of DL’s interactions with HK.

I like this version better than the original ..great rendition ..the way the groove and drums come in on the chorus is niiice

good interview both

similar to joni mitchell, simon continues to reach out to world sounds. love that. miriam makeba was marvellous

He was married to Carrie Fischer she was one of the first celebrities to talk about mental health issues to break the stigma. I wonder how much of his music was inspired by her.

His and most of our greatest musicians/songwriters were magical and genius in the early days before they knew and analyzed what they were doing.

he is giant!! pual respect

I'm inlove, man!

Really nice😊

Paul talks about a fundraiser for medical vans to help the underserved kids; is this program still going?

That’s fuckin awesome to watch.

Uno de los mejores compositores.de los ultimos aňos

Well done...Neal

Quite different beginning but still GREAT

To the right of this video, while I'm watching it, is another Paul Simon interview from about 2018....the difference in age is striking (though it is in all of us!) but his story remains the same.

One of Paul and Arts best, as all their songs are

At that Apollo gig Paul should have adapted his Graceland track and sung 'You can call me Neil'.

I shook his hand once. I think he thought I was his driver. Very nice of him not to call Security.

Back when they actually had somewhat of a conversation on late night TV compared to the sound bite style they go for these days

"Thanks Niel", Letterman had some huge balls, that you have to give him.

Thank you for this. :DDD

Funniest story I ever heard Mr Neil Simon 😂😂😂

Paul is a adorable tiny baby i wanna pick him up and give him a hug cutiepie 🥰

I laughed out loud Literally 🇨🇦

Is that the awesome Adrian Belew playing electric guitar? I'd recognize that leg jig anywhere.

The Tailor's son, who became a tailor of music, instead of cloth. Thanks Paul.

When I was young the SF or Oakland Zoo used "At The Zoo" in their commercials. Maybe they stole it.

"Do you feel pressure to top yourself?" obviously means something very different in America than UK. Otherwise that is one fucked up opening question. And audience reaction.

I remember the days when it was controversial for an artist to sell or license their song to a big corporation. Now almost everyone does.

The Boxer - even with the extra forgotten verse ( "Now the years are rolling by me ... ") 😊

What was the bass player doing on this? lol

5:34 integrity

Oh my God

His guitar wasn't turned up enough!