Questions For The Angels

Album: So Beautiful Or So What (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The theme of So Beautiful Or So What is the meaning of life, and Simon asks the question on this track: if humanity suddenly disappeared, "would a zebra gazing in the African Savannah care enough to shed one zebra tear"? He said to Mojo: "I imagine two zebras saying, 'Bummer! Those humans have gone.' 'Yeah what a drag!"
  • Simon penned the ballads for So Beautiful Or So What before working on the more uptempo songs. He explained why in an interview with Spinner: "'Amulet,' 'Love and Hard Times' and 'Questions for the Angels' were the first three songs written. Maybe that's part of its strength - that I spent a lot of time on the ballads. I was interested in beginning from another premise than rhythm. When you start with the rhythm, if you get a really good groove going, you're perfectly happy to play one chord or just a few chords and just repeat it, like on 'Christmas Day' or 'The Afterlife' or 'So Beautiful Or So What.' That's just the same pattern repeated, but they had good grooves and you don't need to get into a lot of changes on rhythm."

Comments: 1

  • Janet from Glendale, CaDoes anyone know when Sheet Music for songs "The Afterlife" and "Rewrite" will be available to purchase?
    I can not find Sheet Music for any songs from Paul Simon's album, SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT.
    Any information, appreciated. Thank you, Janet
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.