Surprise!

This tells you a bit about my age but, I have long been a fan of Paul Simon. In my youth, I was a Simon & Garfunkel fan and have great memories of songs like, "The 59th St. Bridge Song," "Sounds of Silence," "I Am a Rock," "Scarborough Fair," and many others. I remember over the years, after the duo split, listening to Simon's solo albums. But, it's been a while since I paid any attention to what he's been up to.

Imagine my surprise when I finally listened to "Surprise," his latest album, a collaboration with Brian Eno--installation artist, newspaper columnist, electronic musician and record producer. (I am a big fan of Eno's work with "Talking Heads" and listen to it frequently on my iPod.) I downloaded "Surprise" from iTunes when it was released in early May. Just this weekend I listened to it for the first time. I haven't been able to get enough.

Simon's lyrics are as good as they get. Here are the lyrics for his collaboration with Eno, "Outrageous," to ponder.

It's outrageous to line your pockets off the misery of the poor.
Outrageous, the crimes some human beings must endure.
It's a blessing to wash your face in the summer solstice rain.
It's outrageous a man like me stand here and complain.
But I'm tired.
Nine hundred sit-ups a day.
I'm painting my hair the color of mud, mud okay?
I'm tired, tired. Anybody care what I say?
No! I'm painting my hair the color of mud.
Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Tell me, who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Aw, who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
It's outrageous the food they try to serve in a public school.
Outrageous, the way they talk to you like you're some kind of clinical fool.
It's a blessing to rest my head in the circle of your love.
It's outrageous I can't stop thinking 'bout the things I'm thinking of.
And I'm tired. Nine hundred sit-ups a day.
I'm painting my hair the color of mud, mud okay?
I'm tired, tired.
Anybody care what I say?
No! Painting my hair the color of mud.
Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Tell me, who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Tell me, who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?
God will. Like he waters the flowers on your window sill.
Take me. I'm an ordinary player in the key of C.
And my will was broken by my pride and my vanity.
Who's gonna love you when you're looks are gone?
God will. Like he waters the flowers on your window sill.
Who's gonna love you when your looks are gone?