Imagine rediscovering a forgotten masterpiece, dusting it off, and turning it into a chart-topping sensation. That's precisely what Paul Simon did with "Scarborough Fair," a song that simmered for four centuries before becoming a hit. But was it all Simon's doing, or was he simply the right interpreter at the right time?
For a songwriting titan like Paul Simon, patience wasn't just a virtue; it was a necessity. While some songwriters might strike gold with a spontaneous melody, Simon understood that true greatness often requires years of gestation. A tune might linger in the back of your mind for weeks, months, even years, before you’re ready to let it breathe. In Simon's case, he took a melody with centuries of history and gave it a smash hit treatment.
Throughout his career, Simon consistently pushed boundaries. Despite facing recent health challenges, his incredible run from the 1970s through the groundbreaking "Graceland" era firmly cemented his legacy, almost eclipsing his earlier work with Art Garfunkel. But Simon's success wasn't just about writing catchy tunes; it was about a relentless quest to discover the next evolution of music.
And let's be clear: Simon wasn't simply chasing trends. You wouldn't catch him sporting spandex in an MTV music video. Instead, he possessed a unique ability to organically weave diverse influences into his sound. He recognized that the musical landscape extended far beyond folk-rock, and in the years that followed, he fearlessly incorporated elements of jazz, South African rhythms, and countless other genres.
While not every experiment landed perfectly, Simon never shied away from taking risks. Even during his Simon & Garfunkel days, he would occasionally throw in unconventional tracks like 'A Simple Desultory Phillipic'. Given his undeniable talent for crafting brilliant ballads, it's no surprise that he drew inspiration from classical music.
He even borrowed heavily from Bach when crafting 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. But when discussing his influences, Simon was quick to share the credit. Bach, he acknowledged, played a role in 'American Tune'. And he proudly took responsibility for bringing the traditional folk song 'Scarborough Fair' to a wider audience on the album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
He may have added a new melody, but Simon understood that the core of his success lay in breathing new life into the traditional folk song. As he himself stated, "'American Tune,' I learned from Bach, but the melody preexisted Bach; he took it. So I mean, that’s really a hit. 'Scarborough Fair' [took] 400 years, and you’ve got a hit. And Spotify would owe you… like, what? Hundreds of dollars!"
But here's where it gets controversial... Is Simon being too modest? While he acknowledges the debt to the original folk tune, the 'Canticle' section, with its lyrics reflecting on the meaninglessness of war, is arguably more significant than many realize. The melody might not be as instantly recognizable as the traditional song, but the lyrics transform 'Scarborough Fair' into a poignant mantra, evoking a sense of longing and loss for soldiers on the battlefield. It adds a layer of depth and complexity that elevates the song beyond a simple folk tune.
Simon's additions, however subtle, are crucial. And this is the part most people miss... That's what good folk music is all about, right? It's not about massive production or over-the-top arrangements. Sometimes, all it takes is a few carefully chosen changes to transform a song into an enduring classic.
So, did Paul Simon simply stumble upon a 400-year-old hit, or did he possess the unique vision to unlock its true potential? Was the 'Canticle' a stroke of genius that transformed the song's meaning, or just a clever addition? And how much credit does he really deserve for "Scarborough Fair"? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
