Paul Simon – A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics

Paul Simon – A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics

I been Norman Mailered, Maxwell Taylored
I been John O'Hara'd, Mcnamara'd
I been Rolling Stoned and Beatled till I'm blind
I been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
Communist, 'cause I'm left-handed
That's the hand I use, well, never mind

I been Phil Spectored, resurrected
I been Lou Adlered, Barry Sadlered
Well, I paid all the dues I want to pay
And I learned the truth from Lenny Bruce
And all of my wealth won't buy me health
So I smoke a pint of tea a day

I knew a man, his brain so small
He couldn't think of nothing at all
He's not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry. He's so unhip that
When you say Dylan, he thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas
Whoever he was
The man ain't got no culture
But it's alright, ma
Everybody must get stoned

I been Mick Jaggered, silver daggered
Andy Warhol, won't you please come home?
I been mothered, fathered, aunt and uncled
Been Roy Haleed and Art Garfunkeled
I just discovered somebody's tapped my phone

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/p/paul_simon/a_simple_desultory_philippic_or_how_i_was_robert_mcnamarad_into_submission.html

Songwriters: Paul Simon

A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

hot lyrics

A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) meanings

Best
Recent
1 meaning

m

+ 4
Missy Blue Bakon-Bhyter 2015-02-25 13:59:35

This is a "rambling" (desultory) diatribe attacking the personalities of the day, especially political types (McNamara, the secy of defense, and Maxwell Taylor, the Chief of the Joint Staff under Kennedy and the one who lead the US into Vietnam), but including famous literary types as well (John O'Hara, author of "Butterfield 8" which would star Liz Taylor in the movie version. Paul Simon goes on to name the famous music producers Phil Spector and Lou Adler, and the Green Beret guy who wrote the Ballad of the Green Berets, Barry Sadler. Then he takes a swipe at Bob Dylan (Everybody must get stoned, which is why he smokes a pint of "tea" a day!). It is generally taken as a spoof of Bob Dylan's rambling and aimless lyrical style.

Add your reply

Write about your feelings and thoughts about A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)

Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple .

U

or log in with

Min 50 words

Not bad

Good

Awesome!

View 10 more explanations

Add your explanation

Write an explanation

20 words

Good

Cool

Awesome!

Explanation guidelines:

Describe what artist is trying to say in a certain line, whether it's personal feelings, strong statement or something else.
Provide song facts, names, places and other worthy info that may give readers a perfect insight on the song's meaning.
Add links, pictures and videos to make your explanation more appealing. Provide quotes to support the facts you mention.

Before you get started, be sure to check out these explanations created by our users: good, very good, great.

Request explanation

Ask us or our community about the part of the song that interests you
We will try to respond as soon as possible

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z