Late in the Evening by Paul Simon

Album: One-Trick Pony (1980)

Charted: 58 6

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Songfacts®:

With a rhythmic salsa beat and distinctive horns, this song has become a fan favorite. It describes a dream sequence that Paul Simon had when he was a teenager of being a rock star (he's "under age in this funky bar"). It's late at night (evening) and he's hearing the radio as he falls asleep and the next then he knows he's dreaming about walking down the street and then playing lead guitar in a band. Smoking a "J" obviously refers to a joint (marijuana) which when he was a teen in the 1960s would be typical for a rock band. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Steve - Seattle, WA
Simon wrote this song for One-Trick Pony, a semi-autobiographical movie he wrote and starred in. The song plays at the beginning and end of the film.
When Simon & Garfunkel played a free concert in New York's Central Park on September 19, 1981, the throngs of fans kept cheering, even after the encore. To appease them, the duo returned to the stage and reprised "Late in the Evening," which they had played earlier in the show.

Comments: 8

Benjamin Michael Marcus from Santa CruzWhich song is more masterful?

Late in the Evening or Graceland? I can't decide.

I also can't decide what is the Greatest Rock and Roll Song Ever: Jamie's Crying, Beautiful Girls or Hot for Teacher.

Dr. Nick suggested Gimme Three Steps.

And every time I hear the drums on Hendrix' Fire, I gotta throw that in there, too.

Anyone? Anyone?
Seventh Mist from 7th Heaven This song was my favorite part of the Central Park Concert. What a great mix of voice, band and adoring audience.
Stukka63 from St.augustine, Fla.The jams in this song.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 3rd 1980, the Paul Simon movie 'One-Trick Pony' opened in theaters across the U.S.A.
At the time his "Late In the Evening", which was featured in the movie, was in its second of three weeks at #6 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and that was also its peak position on the chart; it had entered the Top 100 on August 3rd and spent 16 weeks on the chart...
Sixteen days later on October 19th the movie's theme song would entered the Top 100 at position #78; four weeks later on November 16th it would peak at #40 {for 2 weeks}.
Karen from Manchester, NhAm I the only person who actually LIKED the movie "One-Trick Pony"?
Guy from Woodinville, WaCertainly one of Paul Simon's more upbeat songs (I love him dearly, but his songs can be kind of depressing). Really great salsa beat, and the lyrics tell a great story.
Susan from Airdrie, -One of his best
Mark from London, EnglandSimon and his partner, Art Garfunkel, performed this live at their reunion "Concert In Central Park".

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