JULIA SEGAL TIME

boringoldraphael:

A Line-by-Line Analysis of Craziness Described in Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years”

I met my old lover on the street last night 
She seemed so glad to see me; I just smiled 

That’s cold, Paul.

And we talked about some old times 
And we drank ourselves some beers 
Still crazy after all these years 
Still crazy after all these years 

Nothing you have described thus far is in the least bit crazy. In fact, when surprised by an old lover, grabbing a drink and reminiscing is maybe the most rational, least crazy thing you could do.

I’m not the kind of man who tends to socialize 

You are an introvert. Not crazy.

I seem to lean on old familiar ways 

Totally normal.

And I ain’t no fool for love songs 
That whisper in my ears 
Still crazy after all these years 
Still crazy after all these years 

That’s a weirdly specific dismissal of songs that contain the phrase “Still crazy after all these years,” considering it’s a genre that pretty much begins and ends with this very song. You may be suffering from some sort of dissociative personality disorder. Seek help immediately.

Four in the morning 
I’m tapped out, yawning

Being tired at the four in the morning is not crazy. In fact, it’s a little crazy that you think this is crazy.

Longing my life away 

Wait. What?

I’ll never worry 
Why should I? 

You literally just said you were longing your life away. Longing is a kind of worrying. Have you been suffering from memory blackouts or verbal confusion? I’m hesitant to label such lapses as “crazy,” but you may want to consult a physician.

It’s all gonna fade 

That is super-dark. What happened to that old lover you met on the street last night? Let’s hear more about her.

Now I sit by my window and I watch the cars 

That is some pretty benign behavior to be included in a song about craziness. You may be confusing Crazy with Lazy.

I fear I’ll do some damage one fine day 

Whoa, this just took a hard left turn into crazy. Don’t do it, Paul! There are people who love you!

But I would not be convicted 
By a jury of my peers 

Okay, you’re clearly insane. I’m sorry I was snarking about this song earlier. I thought it was about people who were “crazy” as in “wild and free,” not this kind of crazy.

Still crazy after all these years 
Oh, still crazy 
Still crazy 
Still crazy after all these years

Okay, we get it.