I have reached my 18th and final installment of Paul Simon Weekends — four and a half months of what I consider some of the finest songwriting ever committed to tape.
It’s fitting that Simon goes out on a high note, with his latest album, So Beautiful Or So What, receiving some of the best reviews of his career. “Best since Graceland” is the popular refrain for those discussing this album, and I tend to agree, though it’s easier and less controversial to say “best since Rhythm of the Saints.”
Regardless, it’s a beautiful and resonant piece of work, wonderful not despite Simon’s age (he just turned 70) but because of it. This is an album about life’s big themes and Simon has earned the right over decades to explore them.
‘Rewrite’ is a lovely character sketch about a Vietnam vet who abandoned his family and is re-imagining his life the way a Hollywood screenwriter rewrites a script. I picture this man as homeless, hanging out at the car wash looking for money (“help me, help me…thank you!”). Musically, this song is a thing of beauty, especially the interplay of the Spanish guitar and bass.
I’m gonna change the ending
Gonna throw away my title
And toss it in the trash
Every minute after midnight
All the time I’m spending
It’s just for working on my rewrite
Gonna turn it into cash
I’ve been working at the car wash
I consider it my day job
Cause it’s really not a pay job
But that’s where I am
Everybody says the old guy working at the car wash
Hasn’t got a brain cell left since Vietnam
But I say help me, help me, help me, help me
Thank you!
I’d no idea
That you were there
When I said help me, help me, help me, help me
Thank you, for listening to my prayer
I’m working on my rewrite, that’s right
I’m gonna change the ending
Gonna throw away my title
And toss it in the trash
Every minute after midnight
All the time I’m spending
Is just for working on my rewrite, that’s right
I’m gonna turn it into cash
I’ll eliminate the pages
Where the father has a breakdown
And he has to leave the family
But he really meant no harm
Gonna substitute a car chase
And a race across the rooftops
When the father saves the children
And he holds them in his arms
And I say help me, help me, help me, help me
Thank you!
I’d no idea
That you were there
When I said, help me, help me, help me, help me
Thank you, for listening to my prayer
Meet Me In Montauk 
This is a wonderful album; it’s hard to believe Simon is 70; he’s still going strong. I’ve enjoyed the Simon weekends so much; I look forward to your next weekend choice.
I’ve also enjoyed these Paul Simon weekends, And, as you saw from my list, I find today’s song to be one of the best of the year and arguably the highlight of this album. In addition to the instrumentation you mentioned, for me, the whistles are the coolest thing.