First time hearing Paul Simon "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" Reaction | Asia and BJ

[@surlechapeau]

Asia and BJ, you'll love Paul's "Loves Me Like A Rock", "Late In The Evening" and "Kodachrome"!!! Fun Fact: Paul Simon won the Grammy for Album of the Year 1975 for this album. In accepting he said "I'd like to thank Stevie Wonder for not releasing an album this year". Stevie had won for 1973 and 1974. His nickname was 'rhymin' Simon'.

[@jodiidahoianfarmgirl4728]

Kodachrome!!!

[@AnthonyCiulla]

The drummer on this, Steve Gadd, is a legend. He played drums on a lot of iconic songs.

[@MrSuperHappyPants]

Gadd had a knack for playing some crazy sick parts, but making them blend so well into a pop song that many listeners might not even notice. Late in the Evening is another banger - he's got two sticks in each hand, and he sounds like an entire rhythm section all by himself. Much... much sickness in that beat. Plus a kickin' horn section, you can't go wrong.

[@dragonflySummer09]

Gadd didn’t need to sample anyone else’s drums 🤓🎶

[@hesh8367]

Deceivingly slick and tricky drum lick. Not for Gadd, tho. He’s mastered.

[@UranusHz420]

Gadd was just doing this as a drum exercise and then he realized it might work with the song Paul wrote so he tried it. Paul loved it and it’s been iconic, and sampled, ever since. I, Myself, as a drummer in the early 80s learned this drum “riff”. As did many others.

[@dagmar.6954]

Paul Simon is a great singer songwriter. After his success with Simon & Garfunkel in the 60's, Paul Simon went solo in 1970. He has a huge library of songs such as "Mother & Child Reunion", "Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard", "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover", "Still Crazy After All These Years", "Gone At Last", "My Little Town", "Kodachrome", "Loves Me Like A Rock", "You Can Call Me Al", "The Boy In The Bubble", "Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes" etc.

[@debjorgo]

Late in the Evening, Duncan, Slip Sliding Away....

[@personalcheeses8073]

🙄

[@Edgessner]

That's crazy my mom needs to dance with me this song was about 7 years old up in North Versailles Pennsylvania by Pittsburgh and I never forgot it that's awesome music playing it

[@tomislavkosanovic1104]

I grew up with the Concert in central park tapes, awesome memories.

[@richardbailey1295]

What He Said.

[@nikisrevenge]

Steve Gadd on drums, most influential drummer in the last 50 years. Not sure who has used this beat as a sample

[@s.mcpherson6354]

Like some Sade songs, the drums in this are a huge part of the song's effect. This may be one of my favourite beats all-time. It's so unexpected, as though it keeps gracefully stumbling into finding its balance until it all tightens up when the disco portion kicks in.

[@lisarainbow9703]

Didn't know this was Steve Gadd, it makes sense, the drums are incredible. If you haven't heard it already, check out Richard Tee and Steve Gadd playing Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as a duet....and fasten your seatbelt, lol...

[@sxellis]

Steve created that Riff... if someone Sampled it.. it was from him...

[@chrisw3421]

THE MAN on the cans... a true legend!

[@sventextor1309]

So glad you mentioned the Gadd.....this groove was iconic....how many songs are instantly identified by the drum beat?....."We will Rock you" ? Not too many I would suggest....Asia's "Hey" at the beginning of the reaction is a testament to that!!!....I knew she was reacting to the sublime groove laid down by Steve Gadd.

[@vicentevelasquez3099]

You guys would love"Me and Julio", it's a great song and it's also kind of funny.

[@patrickarts9091]

Watch the video for this one.

[@jaimetodd1864]

My son was obsessed with this song when he was about 2-3. He knew the whole chorus.😂

[@Littlebigbot]

Good thing he didn't hear "Walk This Way".

[@owlbuquerqueturkey]

I was obsessed with this song at about that age too. It's one of the first songs I remember from early childhood. This and "Right Place Wrong Time" by Dr. John.

[@kathrynstafford7099]

He is a great musician. I like a period of his music where brought in an African music culture influence and group. On his "Graceland" album.

[@tinatreitler9192]

Masterpiece!!!

[@roymoore3156]

When you say that musicians were ‘brought in’ you deny Paul Simon the respect he deserves for taking his entire team to South Africa to find, discover, and produce the historic and important body of music that he did, ‘Graceland’ is his historic result!

[@jamesscanlan6240]

@@roymoore3156 He got into deep shit for doing so because of the embargo against the white regime but that was crazy. He was making black African musicians famous.

[@roymoore3156]

@@jamesscanlan6240 yeah, it’s rich but real too! Paul Simon as a social scientist...but why not? They’ve said things for years, make it happen if it’s such a good thing! So Paul Simon made Graceland, in South Africa! Thumb firmly pointed skywards!

[@Kevin-py7hb]

" Just drop off the key Lee, and get yourself free"...... Love me some Paul Simon... Such a talented artist after his Simon and Garfunkel era.... His collection is worth checking out. So many great songs in his catalog. Check out "Slip Sliding Away"... One of his best....

[@mikecaetano]

This was a number one hit in 1976. Very memorable rhymes in the chorus. I was still a kid, but old enough to recognize a break up song and few such songs are as great as this one. Simon teamed up with Garfunkel the year before to release the top ten hit "My Little Town". The year after Simon released "Slip Slidin' Away" which also spent time in the top ten. "Loves Me Like a Rock" from 1973 is another of his great seventies hits. Simon will take you to church and back with that song.

[@lisas572]

I remember this song from when I was a kid. I was about 8 yrs old waiting in the car for my brother-in-law to come out of the store. That was about 1976 I know the song is older than that.

[@armadillotoe]

Paul Simon has written so many great songs, and he is a subtle but underrated guitar player.

[@pauldevito7476]

The amazing studio drummer Steve Gadd. Pretty much invented this beat. May have been sampled after this. Simon and Garfunkel were together about 1963-1970, and then they broke up as a duo, and Paul Simon had very successful solo career afterward. You should check out "Kodachrome", "Slip Sliding Away", "Mother and Child Reunion" and "You Can Call Me Al". Paul Simon very prolific song writer with many great solo songs.🙏✌️

[@stanbannmusic8334]

Steve did a video or two on how he came up with that groove. It's an immediate hook!

[@tinatreitler9192]

Luv Mother and Child Reunion!!!

[@patrickmurchison9145]

@@stanbannmusic8334, I have his instructional/performance DVD (w. Book) with that video and the book has the sheet music for the groove!!! I love playing it. It's so innovative!!!

[@ajschroetlin2196]

One of America's greatest singer-songwriters ever.

[@ptrlxc]

GOAT drummer Steve Gadd and GOAT. Bassist Tony Levin laying the foundation to this song: amazing.

[@johnbrookes3261]

Check out Mother and child reunion .Paul Simon was the writer of all the great songs behind Simon and Garfunkel . Later he enjoyed a solo career and is still singing today . Very talented writer musician .

[@williamhenderson1521]

“Still Crazy After All These Years” should be next!

[@Ugly_kid_Joe]

Great song Great reaction..I am surprised more people don't react to Paul Simon's solo career. Songs like Slip Slidin away..Kodachrome.. Mother and Child Reunion

[@eddiep3743]

Dont forget Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard ✌

[@tedcole9936]

Yes! I’m in for Me&Julio, too. And American Tune! Graceland wouldn’t suck, either! You Can Call Me Al. Late In the Evening. Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes. Any of that!!!!

[@j.h.3777]

@@tedcole9936 Homeless from that album is my fave!

[@j.h.3777]

There are too many to choose from! They could spend a few months just on his songs.

[@tedcole9936]

@ J. H. Thanks, just listened to it. I never owned the Graceland LP (or CD). So I hadn’t heard homeless in a long long time. Thanks for bringing it back to my attention. Yeah.

[@greggwilliamson]

Great song. Yes, "Me & Julio Down by the Schoolyard".

[@Stick-a-fork-in-Gmorks-tort]

Steve Gadd on drums. Eminem did a song called 50 ways. Used the sample in that one.

[@midkingsteve]

That style of drum pattern is just a marching rhythm. It comes from old military marches and music made for that sort of thing. You hear it in a lot of movies and music that have to do with the military, and like Asia said in band/orchestral music sometimes. In this case it's just Steve Gadd being innovative and using that style in more of a groove, smooth type of way. I'm sure it's been sampled but I don't know by who.

[@WhiplashTW]

Eminem - Like Toy Soldiers sounds very similar.

[@sxellis]

It's a difficult beat to play.. he explained it on KZbin some where.. but it is militaryish.. but no drum machine. It's all him. Very cool lick.

[@midkingsteve]

@@sxellis for sure. Gadd is a master of subtly and groove.

[@gunkulator1]

The drums sound deceptively simple but they're not. In a standard drum rhythm the snare plays on two and four. In this song the snare plays the strike on two as usual and then plays a snare roll on four but then in the next measure instead of the snare strike on four there's a tom drum strike followed quickly by a snare roll that starts on the off beat of four. It keeps alternating that way through the verses as well as the intro and outro. It's a bit unsettling because the drum beats are not steady and predictable from measure to measure. The chorus gives us a relief with the standard two/four snare strikes we're more familiar with. I think the unsettling nature of rhythm is intentional to match the unsettling subject matter of the song. It's exceedingly rare to use percussion in this way.

[@2869may]

"Late In The Evening" is a Great Upbeat story telling tune from Paul....! Among many others..!

[@martinsmusic1724]

The drums are marching drums. Fits in with the song's theme - walk out, leave, march....

[@alphajava761]

1970s radio was the best. Great quality artists. New music all the time.

[@sandracox9287]

Just wanted to mention this is the Simon in Simon and Garfunkel :)

[@lisarainbow9703]

"Late in the Evening" by Paul Simon will have you dancing in your seats....

[@gregorystathos6085]

It's just what's called a snare drum. Almost all drummers have it in there sets. They have springs that lay across the bottom drum head to make that 'special' sound.

[@mikeherrmann5360]

when I was a kid this song was on all the time. I thought he was saying quter Roys

[@karencampbell2760]

Hahaha...love this😁

[@dannwalker9865]

Please check out Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon! Such a great jam 🎵🎶🔥🔥🤘 It features Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa. One of my favorites ❤❤

[@julieford8788]

I still know every word to this song! 😂❤️

[@leahmcnatt7591]

I have not even listened to the reaction. But damn!! Great song!!@

[@joea7293]

Steve Gadd was on the drums and made that drum riff famous! You've probably heard Steve on many albums he is the "Doctor" of drums lol Great reaction and pick guys! As always stay safe and much love.

[@rodb9275]

There's definitely dozens of Paul Simon (and/or Simon & Garfunkle) songs that are worth checking out.

[@kurtatkinson3875]

Songs in the memories and memories in the songs. This takes me back

[@sjd5750]

Steve Gadd on drums..My all time favorite drummer.

[@lt3tretrois]

Had this 45 when I was a toddler. Still my favorite beat 45 years later. “Slip Slidin’ Away” was on the other side. Certainly worth a listen.

[@AW11-e4h]

Steve Gadd killing that beat 🤘

[@nonsuch]

In case nobody mentioned it... Paul Simon was the 3rd artist on "We Are The World" right before Kenny Rogers. 👊

[@amypatchen8263]

Love this song! So many people forget how amazing Paul Simon is! Glad you are getting him out there for new listeners!

[@robinlabouche2230]

Brilliant singer/songwriter

[@teri7398]

Paul Simon, from Simon & Garfunkel who sang together in the 1960's.....This is a solo song. LOL, good little song.

[@crsounddoctor4937]

Soft Rock, smooth story telling with some serious drumming & guitar playing!!! Well done with this one Asia & BJ!!!

[@w.p8960]

As my teenage friends heard it 50 ways to love your lever.

[@alonzocoyethea6148]

I'm a drummer, been playing for 40 years, still use this beat to warm up with today...

[@basinstreetdesign5206]

Oh yes, please do Late In The Evening. You must!! Especially the Central Park Concert Live show.

[@carollittle1059]

I loved this song!

[@johnnyhawkins43]

I always loved this song!

[@CherylHughes-ts9jz]

I love everything Paul Simon. I sing this in the car with my granddaughter 💃🏼❤️💃

[@Catbytes]

Funny that the first thing that comes to mind when i hear this song now is Robin Williams being helpful with these suggestions, as if they were his ideas.

[@pamelavalente3731]

Great reactions. More Paul Simon must listen to songs: KODACHROME...CALL ME AL...ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE SCHOOLYARD. You won't be disappointed, guaranteed! 💜💜

[@davidmazon7516]

This song was a big hit the day I remember hearing it at school in Junior High. You hear people singing it all the time, or just using the phrase like slip out the back Jack and make a new plan Stan all those were used all the time.

[@XDarkSyntaXOriginal]

The title track from this record was really good. "Still crazy after all these years"

[@MisterWondrous]

I've had neighbors who were in dire need of hearing, and heeding, this song. "Y'all ain't those people. Long may you carry on! Paul does an exquisite duet with Linda Ronstadt called "Under African Skies". One of my favorites by him, and her actually. I know you'd love it too.

[@loiswhite3580]

One of his not mentioned is Slip Sliding away. A fun song.

[@NashaWriter85]

Paul Simon is the GOAT when it comes to writing a song. He tends to write about the 'human condition'. He's so good at it. He writes about the things our brains process that we don't even know we're processing....until he starts singing about it. Check out his song and the original video for his song "You Can Call me Al". The video includes Chevy Chase and its quite funny. But if you pay attention to the lyrics...it just adds so much to the song and it really proves his talent.

[@billbox1916]

Hey guys, I appreciate you both. I'm not sure who all has sampled this marching drum pattern, but I do know that the drummer is Steve Gadd and he's the originator of it. He's a session guy who also played with tons of artists and bands like Eric Clapton and the drums on the title track for Steeley Dan Aja. Before all this, he was in the Army band, so he loves the military type march feel. Paul Simon had Steve in the studio waiting before recording 50 Ways and the feel wasn't working for Paul. Meanwhile, Steve is just warming up lightly on the drums with that sticking technique and Paul noticed it and said, "Steve play that thing again you were just doing" ... The drummer's warm up pattern, then became the hook for the song.

[@scottvanhille5688]

Asia, I'm going to be having dreams about those cat attacks tonight haha! Other Paul Simon songs: Graceland, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes, Kodachrome, Late In The Evening, Father And Daughter, Me And Julio, Still Crazy After All These Years, Loves Me Like A Rock. This is still played on the radio.

[@jebfagan594]

Classic Stevie Gadd on drums. He's a legend.

[@Serai3]

Another Simon song that uses a very strong marching rhythm is "The Obvious, Child". The beat in that one is a traditional Brazilian _carnaval_ beat, played by a crew from Rio de Janeiro. Wonderful song, infectious rhythm, great lyrics. A real banger!

[@LA-fz5qw]

I mean Paul Simon is a genius With and without Art Garfunkel. In 1986 he put out an album called Graceland that is considered to be one of the best albums ever he went to South Africa and recorded with South African musicians and it’s a masterpiece

[@davidpost428]

His Graceland album stood the music world on its head! Every song is powerful in and of itself.

[@philosopher0076]

You guys do know that Paul Simon is the Simon in " Simon & Garfunkel " right? He pretty much wrote all of Simon & Garfunkel's songs as well as his solo career plus many songs he wrote for other singers.

[@supasoulproductions]

Great song by Paul Simon... Eminem sampled it twice... for Murder, Murder and for 50 Ways.

[@adamb3421]

The drum reminds me of the drum in Sade's "Soldier of Love". But Sade came years after of course.

[@jimilemons3437]

The drums were playing a basic ‘March’ you’ve heard similar in a hundred war movies about pre-mechanized conflicts

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

Great song, great reaction. I never noticed before how the chorus kind of has the JJ Cale chooglin feel to it too, always a plus for me.

[@MRCATL3]

That was Steve Gadd on the drums. Steely Dan, Toto, Michael McDonald/Doobies all had top shelf musicians. But I'm writing this for the other folks on the thread. You two are highly intelligent and playing the game.

[@aileenturrietta7553]

I just saw this reaction and the drumbeat is the Court Martial March used in military back in the day. It's a military drum.

[@evelyngalarza5627]

I'm in for Kodachrome...might have to expand on the colored photographs being a thing though

[@clydeb7713]

Paul Simon had a great solo career. In 1985 he went to South Africa to learn more about the music and the people and recorded an album there. You guys would dig Diamonds On The Soles Of My Shoes. Check it out Y'all!

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

That great drum riff you hear on there is Steve Gadd. I highly recommend you look into him on Y.T. He is amazing. There are videos where people simply come in droves just to hear him PRACTICE!! For example, there is a video of him with a very large audience... in Australia. And all he is doing is practicing. Cool song. Great reaction.

[@robertgillen979]

You 2 are the cutest. Love the looks you made when you realized he was getting swayed by the homewrecker

[@joelliebler5690]

Paul Simon the master of lyrics, stories, and of course music. Try the tunes of Paul’s, Still Crazy After All These YeRs,Grace.Land,And Diamonds On The Soul of Her Shoes!

[@LadybugLuv]

As a six year old when this song came out, I thought the song was called 'Hop on the bus Gus'. Lol we loved singing it! It was jive talk to us kids. Later we learned the Singer's name, true title and meaning of the song!

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

I remember this being one of my Dad's favorite songs and my siblings and I would sing the chorus all the time! LOL! I still remember all the words! Great childhood memories! LOL! 💖💖

[@ericsmith6615]

Grew up hearing this for sure..The musical arrangement is AMAZING!!

[@lanalove6982]

I loved this song ♥️ one of my ex lovers showed me. I had to slip out the back 😂

[@trevorb6]

I believe it was Steve Gadd who came up with that drum part specifically for the song. I couldn't tell you how many times it's been sampled.

[@AnthonyCiulla]

Paul Simon: "Still Crazy After All These Years" No one has done that masterpiece

[@jodiidahoianfarmgirl4728]

I listened to this song in the 70s while riding the bus to school. No wonder I've never been married !😃

[@davidserlin8097]

Steve Gadd the drummer is tapping into some Brazilian rhythms which is what Paul Simon is doing with the guitar. That Brazilian feel is then married to straight up American funk. It’s a marriage that shouldn’t work but does.

[@mikeferris408]

I heard this alot when i was justa lil snapper head back when this 1st came out n the beginning also sounds like that song.. "JUST THE TWO OF US" by good ol Billy Withers! 🤘👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@missd9785]

Inspired by Carrie Fisher. Simon and Fisher were together on and off for years. They did end up getting married. It didn't last long and I think Carrie was quoted as saying... short people, short marriage. Simon had a lot of hits as a solo artist.

[@wearinganapron]

Paul Simon did a song I especially like, "Darling Lorraine," describing the ups and downs of a long married life. Beautiful and bittersweet.

[@matteoedwardes2876]

Loves me like a rock and mother and child reunion favs!

[@hog7203]

Y'all will enjoy "Loves Me Like a Rock". Paul Simon has a bunch of good ones. We had another version of this song we'd sing in high school, "Fifty Ways to Bust a Rubber". Just stick it with a pin, Lynn. Pop it with a tack, Jack. Etc. 😄

[@glennburch1081]

I absolutely love his "One Trick Pony" record.......ALL OF IT! Great reaction guys, TY.

[@Aries41474]

This song always cracked me up

[@irenephillips1523]

Paul Simon is a genius amazing singer songwriter please check out more of his solo work

[@nettricegaskins1871]

The opening drums remind me of "Unpretty" by TLC.

[@russelbarnes7235]

Once again Dagmar S is telling you right. Paul Simon has a great catalogue, including Kodachrome, Loves me Like a Rock and many more. Great reaction, guys. Peace

[@Tijuanabill]

Do more of this guy, please. He is a legend.

[@christinahilt2978]

My favorites of his are “Still Crazy After All These Years” and “My Little Town.”

[@evillemike2009]

"How The Heart Approaches What It Yearns" Most of the One Trick Pony album is pretty darn good.

[@txrojas]

Such a great reaction you two! You should also listen to “ Loves Me Like a Rock” I think y’all would enjoy that one too.

[@franciscoguzman1034]

Military drums. Look at movies where little boys played drums on the march. They brook off as a team in 1970 I think.

[@roymoore3156]

Asia and BJ, Paul Simon is brilliant, and on many levels. I won’t start listing his greatness in song, cause all of its beyond comparison.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Asia and BJ - his catalog will blow your mind. Pleas take a journey!

[@philpartynski3125]

S & G and Paul Simon(solo) we’re my biggest inspirations growing up. He is arguably THE greatest songwriter ever! Hidden Gem Alert: “American Tune”. Stunningly beautiful and perfectly written! Keep up the good work you two! 😎🎶❤

[@vickiconley3638]

Always got a kick outta this song.

[@doug5056]

"LOVED" it when The Muppets did a parody of this song called '50 Ways to Love your Lever.'

[@gregorystathos6085]

Classic song by a legendary songwriter and musician. Listen to any song on his 'Kodachrome' album.