Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover
Simon And Garfunkel · The Concert In Central Park [1982]
"The answer is easy if you take it logically
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover"
She said, "It's really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued
So I repeat myself at the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover"
Just slip out the back, Jack, you make a new plan
Stan, don't need to be coy, Roy, just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus, don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee, get yourself free
Slip out the back, Jack, make a new plan,
Stan, don't need to be coy, Roy, just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus, don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee, get yourself free
She said, "It grieves me so to see you in such pain
I wish there was somethin' I could do to make you smile again"
I said, "I appreciate that would you please explain
About the fifty ways"
She said, "Why don't we both just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light"
And then she kissed me and I realized she probably was right
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover
Just slip out the back, Jack, make a new plan
Stan, don't need to be coy, Roy, just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus, don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee, get yourself free
Slip out the back, Jack, make a new plan,
Stan, don't need to be coy, Roy, just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus, don't need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee, get yourself free
Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover
Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover stands as one of the most enduring tracks in the Simon and Garfunkel catalogue. Originally released on their 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water, the song captures the duo's signature blend of intricate harmonies and poetic storytelling. The recording features a distinctive rhythmic structure that builds momentum, highlighting Paul Simon's lyrical wit and the pair's seamless vocal interplay. While the track achieved massive commercial success upon its initial release, its inclusion on The Concert In Central Park demonstrates its lasting power in a live setting. The performance captures the energy of the 1981 reunion, showcasing how the song resonates with audiences decades after its debut. This work remains a cornerstone of their discography, exemplifying the folk-rock sensibility that defined their era and continues to influence contemporary singer-songwriters.