Paul Simon, Still Crazy After All These Years | Throwback Vibez

In the 157^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Still Crazy After All These Years” by Paul Simon.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 157^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Still Crazy After All These Years” performed by Paul Simon.  

“I met my old lover on the street last night.” Uh-oh… “And we talked about some old times / And we drank ourselves some beer.” Oh, really? And the result? “Still crazy after all these years.” Legendary, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Paul Simon (b. 1941) released a surefire pop masterpiece with “Still Crazy After All These Years”. “Still Crazy…” is the opening track from Simon’s 1975 album, also titled Still Crazy After All These Years. The gold-certified album won the highly coveted Grammy for Album of the Year at the 18^th Annual Grammy Awards.  “Still Crazy…” was awarded the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, the same year.  It earned Simon a top 40 hit on the pop charts, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. 

So, what makes “Still Crazy After All These Years” an indisputable, pop tour de force? The sound of the record is a big selling point, specifically the electric piano accompaniment.  One of my favorite sounds on my Korg Krome EX 88-Key Synthesizer Workstation is a patch that emulates the distinct, lush, and wavy Fender Rhodes sound, as performed by Barry Beckett (1943 – 2009), from the song. The orchestral touches are celestial, too (dramatic strings, woodwinds, and a soulful saxophone solo). Of course, Paul Simon is the star, singing delightfully on this silky smooth ballad, recalling an ex-lover.  He brings an authentic, expressive, and sincere performance. The melodies are tuneful, while the lyrics are memorable. “And I ain’t no fool for love songs / That whisper in my ears,” Simon sings in the second verse, and adds in the centerpiece, the chorus, “Still crazy after all these years / Oh, still crazy after all these years.” The bridge separates itself from the verses and chorus with a differing melody and harmonic progression.  “Four in the morning / Crapped out, yawning / Longing my life away,” Simon asserts, and continues, “I’ll never worry / Why should I? / It’s all gonna fade.” Noted. He brings one last distinct verse, memorably informing us, “But I would not be convicted / By a jury of my peers,” before uttering those timeless titular lyrics, once again. “Still Crazy After All These Years” doesn’t require an extensive essay highlighting every detail.  Take one listen to this classic and you’ll never forget it.  It is magical – among Simon’s very best, period.