Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” Lyrics Meaning
Just as the titular phrase for this song (“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”) suggests, the writer appears to be getting advice from his new mistress concerning ways to simplify his departure from his current relationship.
The narrator who seems to be cheating on his current partner receives advice from the woman he is now involved with on how he should leave his lover for her. In the chorus, this woman convinces him to leave his current lover by just slipping away, making new plans without her, leaving town and setting himself free. Apparently, she has noticed that the narrator feels sad as a result of his relationship and wants to help him out. In the end, the narrator agrees to heed to her advice after they share a kiss, and concludes that there are actually numerous ways to leave a lover.
Paul Simon wrote this song following his divorce from his first wife, Peggy Harper. Owing to this, it is apparent the demise of his relationship with Peggy served as an inspiration for this song.
Release Date of “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”
This track is from Paul Simon’s fourth solo effort, “Still Crazy After All These Years”, which came out via Columbia Records on 25 October 1975. And this particular track served as the second single from said project.
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” plays a special role in Paul Simon’s discography. That is to say that it is the only one of his solo tracks to ever top the Billboard Hot 100. This was some five years after he and Art Garfunkel had parted ways. And it has also been certified gold in the United States, which in that day and age meant it sold at least 1,000,000 copies.
Writing Credits
Paul Simon wrote this tune himself, as well as serving as one of its producers. It was a song he originally conceptualized one morning while waking up in his NYC apartment overlooking Central Park. And the other producer was the late Phil Ramone (1934-2013).
Like was mentioned above, Simon composed this song shortly after his divorce from Peggy Harper.
Backup Singers
The backup singers on this track proved to be notable musicians in their own right. They were blues artist Phoebe Snow (1950-2011), Patti Austin – who had a number of her own hits – and Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson fame.
Who plays the drums on “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”?
The track also features on Steve Gadd on the drums, with the drum pattern at the beginning of the song being one of the most-celebrated parts of the tune.
Notable Usage of this Classic
Paul Simon appeared on The Muppet Show in 1980, upon which some of the fictional kids’ characters covered this song.
This song has maintained a presence in the music industry via sampling, with rappers being particularly fond of the tune. And amongst those who have sampled or interpolated it include the following:
- Tupac (Wonda Why They Call U Bi**h, 1996)
- Kid Cudi (50 Ways to Make a Record, 2008)
- Common (Forever Begins, 2007)
- Eminem (Murder, Murder, 1997)
- Kool More Dee (50 Ways, 1987)
Summary
All in all, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover narrates the story of a man being advised by his new mistress to leave his current lover for her.
I think the defining trait of any piece of art (whether that’s a song, a painting, a book, etc.) is that there’s as many ways to interpret it’s meaning as there are people that observe it. I’ve always had a very different interpretation of “50 ways to leave your lover”. I always assumed that the woman referenced in the song is in fact the lover that the song writer is contemplating leaving. I felt that she sensed his unhappiness with the relationship, had accepted that the impending breakup was inevitable and was attempting to help him to come out with it. When she says “sleep on it tonight and I think you’ll see the light” she was saying that she would be gone when he awoke, thus taking that painful step in a manner perfectly in tune with the chorus lines.
Well written and thoughtful. Thank you.
I think at first his mistress is saying if you want to be with me here’s how…then as he is still confused she’s kisses Jim and days he’ll see how easy it is because I. The morning she’ll be gone.
Yeah. specifically when the lyrics goes
“She said: It’s really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning won’t be lost or misconstrued
But I’ll repeat myself at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover”
One of the saddest breakup songs ever. A damn good song otherwise
Andre Nickatina – Last Breath of an MC
Nah, it’s about a mistress enticing her guy to leave someone for her… hence the chorus of all the ways…
I think this is a song about “why,” not “how” to leave your lover. The guy is confused, and something is holding him back. He gains clarity with the kiss and knows that he needs to leave. This newfound clarity allows him to recognize that there are “at least fifty ways to leave your lover.”
The big question of course is who is “She” and who is the “lover.” I think “she” is his wife who has found out he has a lover but understands that he is pained by it and wants to get out of it. Admittedly, it seems odd that she would be so good natured about it but maybe she realizes that this is her last shot at keeping them together. She might also recognize his weakness. I don’t think she is going to leave him in the morning. I think she knows that either he will realize what he has to do and do it, or he won’t and then it’s all over. With that interpretation, we can say it is a happy song because he says that he does come to understand that what he has to do to save his marriage is easy.
How many ways to leave a lover, and how many states are in the US? Is this song just a political metaphor? If applied, a stange thought can reveal interesting results.
C’est drôle, je n’ai pas du tout la même interprétation de cette chanson. Ce sont a mon avis deux amants qui se découvrent peu à peu, et qui abordent le sujet de la rupture. Elle lui fait alors part de son avis (50 façons de quitter un amant). Cette façon de s’exprimer le choque, car il la juge cynique. Et surtout, il se sent menacé : elle appliquera un jour une de ces 50 façons pour le quitter. Et ça le rend triste. Car il comprend qu’elle peut être cruelle. Cette interprétation de cette chanson a toujours été la mienne, et je suis étonné de lire qu’elle peut donner lieu à d’autres interprétations.
I don’t feel either partner is cheating. I think his woman knows he is unhappy. And wants to see him smile again. So she is telling him it’s ok to leave, and the ways to do it without making it harder than it has to be. If we truly love someone we want them happy even if it’s not with us! Leaving doesn’t not have to be done face-to-face! Hearts break but mend! No reason to add fighting to the problem! Cause one for sure is going to fight about it. Embrace a new plan and move on!