I read years ago when Paul Simon was married to his first wife they were invited to a party of a well known French artist in NYC. The artist could not get the name of Paul Simon or his wife correct, calling them Al and Betty. In fact when they left he party the host wished " Betty and Al" well.
Other stanzas refer to the mid-life crisis Paul Simon was experiencing and what he did to break through it-went to a foreign land (South Africa) where he didn't speak the language and held no currency (music of South Africa). The currency he began to use there - the African music of Lady Smith Black Mambazo, guitar play of Ray Fieri and other musicians help Paul Simon experience a rebirth. Upon his trip back to NYC he sees the same buildings but now he sees angels in the architecture and feels the power of his rebirth!
I read years ago when Paul Simon was married to his first wife they were invited to a party of a well known French artist in NYC. The artist could not get the name of Paul Simon or his wife correct, calling them Al and Betty. In fact when they left he party the host wished " Betty and Al" well. Other stanzas refer to the mid-life crisis Paul Simon was experiencing and what he did to break through it-went to a foreign land (South Africa) where he didn't speak the language and held no currency (music of South Africa). The currency he began to use there - the African music of Lady Smith Black Mambazo, guitar play of Ray Fieri and other musicians help Paul Simon experience a rebirth. Upon his trip back to NYC he sees the same buildings but now he sees angels in the architecture and feels the power of his rebirth!