Paul Simon Returns With "Surprise"

Sixteen-time Grammy winner Paul Simon will release Surprise, his much-anticipated collaboration with producer Brian Eno (Talking Heads, U2), on May 9th.

The long-awaited follow-up to Simon's last solo effort, 2000's gold-selling You're the One, was recorded in Eno's London studio, as well as studios in Nashville and New York, and features Herbie Hancock and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell.

Among the album's eleven tracks, which feature Simon's trademark intricate acoustic guitar, is the Oscar-nominated "Father and Daughter," off the soundtrack for the animated film The Wild Thornberrys, as well as the song "Outrageous" and the opener "How Can You Live in the Northeast."

In 1972, when Simon released his self-titled solo debut, he spoke to Rolling Stone about his personal, hands-on recording process. "It wasn't until my own album that I ever started to think to myself, 'What do I really like?'" he said. "I learned every aspect of it has to be your own judgment. You have to say, 'Now, wait a minute, is that the right tempo? Is that the right take?' It's your decision. Nobody else can do it."

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will make his first appearance in support of Surprise at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival on May 7th, and is scheduled to perform on Saturday Night Live on May 13th. Summer and fall tours are also in the works.

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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