
Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday gives us the chance to share familiar, and sometimes not so familiar, songs. Jim has given us Fiancé /Husband /Lover / Wife this week to be included in the title or lyrics.
If you fancy sharing one of your favourite songs you can find out how to participate, and also listen to all the great entries, here.
When Paul Simon divorced his first wife, Peggy Harper, he opted to take a more humorous approach to document the incident. he wrote Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover!
It was released in December 1975 and began to see chart success within the new year. It became his only number one hit as a solo artist.
Paul Simon’s career began after meeting Art Garfunkel when they were both 11. He has been performing since 1956 and is still active today.
I’ve included a live version recorded at The Concert in Central Park 1981.
and also a cover version by Miley Cyrus
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
“The problem is all inside your head” she said to me
“The answer is easy if you take it logically
I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover”
She said “It’s really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning won’t be lost or misconstrued
But I’ll repeat myself at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover”
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be Coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Ooo slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be Coy, Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
She said “It grieves me so to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again”
I said “I appreciate that and would you please explain
About the fifty ways”
She said “Why don’t we both just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning you’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me and I realized she probably was right
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be Coy, roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be Coy, Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Simon Paul
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover lyrics © Paul Simon Music
Very good, Peter. I remember the song well but never stopped to wonder if it was based on a real experience. I suppose artists write about what they know! Always liked Art and Garfunkel. Garfunkel was a pretty good actor too.
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Marvellous harmonies!
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Completely new to me. I was probably busy that year! 🙂
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Powdering your nose?
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You might be right there , early 1976? – stopping smoking, getting pregnant again and moving house!
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I’ve always liked the lightheartedness of this song but didn’t know that it was based on his own experiences. Most break up songs are much more angsty!
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He never really finished the song so maybe he was reconciled to the break up!
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I always like this song!
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Me too. Despite the background it is quite a jaunty song!
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Thank goodness I knew the Simon original before Miley Cyrus massacred the song into some kind of sulking moan! We sing that song all the time around here with our own variations.
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I take it you didn’t like that version!
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I like it – although a bit of a fan of the original – thought Miley added a 21C vibe …
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You got that right, mister!!
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Paul Simon still owes us another 45 ways to leave your lover and I wonder if he will ever finish the song.
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I think you’ll be waiting a long time for that Jim!
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A sing-a-long classic! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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My pleasure.
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Great choice!
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Thank you. Would he qualify for Mount Rushmore?
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He could… But I know he won’t make it (and I’m doing the women)
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Wonderful song choice, Peter!
I always found this song fun to sing along to! I like that Mr. Simon took the humorous approach to his situation.
The original song is the bestest…but I like Miley’s voice so her version is cool. I really like Miley. And I’m so glad she is finally growing up some.
Silly me…I always liked adding to this song…like “sneak out the window, Tim-Bo”, “climb down the trellis, Ellis”, “take a plane to Spain, Wayne”, “pedal away on your bike, Mike”…HA… 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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Still another 40 ways to go!
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HA! I’ll let some other people contribute! 😉 😀
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I agree with Carolyn’s comments…
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Fantastic song.
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This was a great post. I actually like Paul Simon’s rendition better than Cyrus’. A little of that girl is about all I can take, but I do think she’s talented. I also thought Simon was fairly adorable in the clip. How’s that for a perfectly shallow assessment of everything?!
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Just perfect. Thank you!
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PETER!!!! Wow. Ok. I am more than stunned that this was Paul Simon’s only number 1 hit as a solo artist. He had some amazing songs as a solo artist. Stunned. But this WAS/is catchy as hell!!! And WHAT?!!! You’re making me fall in love with Miley Cirus. Never had an opinion of her either way but this is the second video of her that You’ve shown and I just love her! Who knew?!! Thank You and Cheers!!! 💕💕💕
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I’m actually not all that fond of Miley Cyrus!
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😅 What have You done to me?!! 🤣
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