50 Ways to Leave Your Lover

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some groovy trivia about 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon, spinning from the classic album Still Crazy After All These Years. This 1975 hit, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, was inspired by a playful moment with Simon’s then-three-year-old son, Harper. In a 2023 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Simon shared that he crafted the song’s catchy chorus—“Slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan”—while teaching Harper how to rhyme. The song’s iconic drum riff, courtesy of drummer Steve Gadd, was reworked at A&R Recording in New York City to give the verses a distinct groove, as Gadd recalled in interviews. Simon himself called it a “fluke hit” in a 1975 interview, noting he built the track around a Rhythm Ace drum machine to avoid clutter, aiming for a light, humorous take on his divorce from his first wife, Peggy Harper.

Another cool tidbit for the Zoo Crew: the song’s backup vocalists—Patti Austin, Valerie Simpson, and Phoebe Snow—were all heavyweights in their own right. Simpson, part of Ashford & Simpson, co-wrote Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, while Snow had a hit with Poetry Man. Despite their talent, their voices blend subtly into the track, letting Simon’s storytelling shine. The lyrics, which list only five of the promised “fifty ways” to leave a lover, sparked a BBC Radio comedy show, The 99p Challenge, where comedians brainstormed others, like “Hire a contract killer, Mrs. Miller” or “Push her off a cliff, Cliff.” Simon’s been coy about the song’s subject, insisting it’s not about Peggy Harper, though he wrote it post-divorce, as noted in a 2011 Independent article. A 2022 Reddit post also pointed out a neat connection: Stephen King, a music buff, referenced the song’s lines in his novel Misery.

Now, let’s rewind to how Paul Simon kicked off his legendary career. Born October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, Simon’s musical journey began in Queens, where he met Art Garfunkel in elementary school in 1953. The duo, initially performing as Tom & Jerry, hit the charts in 1957 with Hey, Schoolgirl. By the 1960s, as Simon & Garfunkel, they became folk-rock icons with hits like The Sound of Silence and Mrs. Robinson. Their 1970 album, Bridge over Troubled Water, is a landmark, but the duo split that year. Simon went solo, diving into genres like reggae and gospel, with albums like Paul Simon (1972) and There Goes Rhymin’ Simon (1973). His 1975 album, Still Crazy After All These Years, where 50 Ways shines, won Album of the Year at the 18th Grammy Awards. Simon’s knack for blending poetic lyrics with global sounds cemented his status as a songwriting giant.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to stay connected, check out Paul Simon’s official website for tour dates and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, like a 2022 post celebrating 50 Ways turning 47. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Paul-Simon.info, a hub for discographies and tour info, or join the Paul Simon Fan Group on Facebook to swap stories and setlists. Whether you’re slipping out the back or making a new plan, keep vibing with the Zoo Crew and Simon’s timeless tunes!