A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission)
Simon & Garfunkel * Track #9 On Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
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Album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
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- #9A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission)
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A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission) by Simon & Garfunkel
Release Date
Performed by
Simon & GarfunkelProduced by
Bob JohnstonWrited by
Paul SimonAbout
“A Simple Desultory Phillipic” is a parody of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon’s main competitor at the time.
Simon imitates his musical style (mixing electric and acoustic guitars backed by an organ), his declarative vocals, and his “Subterranean Homesick Blues” style of free-associative songwriting.
Origin...
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission) Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I been Norman Mailered, Maxwell Taylored
I been John O'Hara'd, McNamara'd
I been Rolling Stoned and Beatled 'til I'm blind
I been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
Communist, cause I'm left-handed
That's the hand I use... well, never mind
[Verse 2]
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
[Bridge]
I knew a man, his brain so small
He couldn't think of nothing at all
Not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry
He's so unhip 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
[Verse 3]
I been Mick Jaggered, been 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
[Outro]
(Folk rock...)
(I've lost my harmonica, Albert...)
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission) Q&A
Who wrote A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission)'s ?
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission) was written by Paul Simon.
Who produced A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission)'s ?
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission) was produced by Bob Johnston.
When did Simon & Garfunkel release A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission)?
Simon & Garfunkel released A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d into Submission) on Mon Oct 10 1966.
What does the title mean?
“Desultory” means disconnected, “going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way”, alluding to Bob Dylan’s free-association writing style which the song parodies, while “philippic” means a “discourse of bitter denunciation”.