Paul Simon's 'time is up' confession after heartbreaking health battle

Wales Online

22-04-2025

Paul Simon's 'time is up' confession after heartbreaking health battle
The 83-year-old singer-songwriter made the admission in a new interview ahead of the release of his 15th solo album, Seven Psalms, in 2023
Paul Simon made a candid admission about his health during an interview discussing his album Seven Psalms
(Image: Stefan Hoederath, Redfernsvia Getty Images )
Paul Simon has shared a poignant insight with a three-word admission over his health.
The legendary singer-songwriter acknowledged that his generation's "time is up" following the deaths of fellow icons Jeff Beck and Gordon Lightfoot. Paul, now 83, made the sombre admission while discussing the release of his 15th solo album, 'Seven Psalms', in 2023.
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The American star opened up about a health issue that affected the recording of the album. During the production process, Paul experienced a significant hearing loss in his left ear.
Speaking with The Times, he revealed: "Quite suddenly I lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and nobody has an explanation for it. So everything became more difficult.
"My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself." At the time of the interview, his hearing had not improved, casting doubt on any potential return to live performing.
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Regardless, the acclaimed 'You Can Call Me Al' artist showed resilience. He stated: "The songs of mine that I don't want to sing live, I don't sing them. Sometimes there are songs that I like and then at a certain point in a tour, I'll say, 'What the f*** are you doing, Paul?'"
The star opened up on his health struggles
(Image: Gary Gershoff, WireImagevia Getty Images )
In crafting the final song of the album, titled 'Wait,' Paul confronted a deeper understanding of the lyrics as they resonated with his life's journey, reports the Express. He evocatively wrote: "Heaven is beautiful/It's almost like home/Children, get ready/It's time to come home."
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With a closing chorus of "Amen" accompanied by tolling bells, the song intimates the profound sense of an ending. Paul told The Times: "It's a spooky thing to be writing something and just be thinking, 'Oh, this is what the song needs. And then it's, 'By the way, this is about you. You're actually the subject of this.'"
Paul made a gutwrenching statement about his generation of stars
(Image: CBS Photo Archive, CBS via Getty Images )
He added: "It's just the age we're at. Gordon Lightfoot just passed away; Jeff Beck too. My generation's time is up."
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Paul gave a positive update in 2024 about his hearing at the premiere of the documentary In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon. Paul revealed that his hearing had returned to a degree that allowed him to sing and play instruments comfortably.
He said: "I can hear my voice the way I want it in the context of the music. If there's a drum or an electric guitar, it's too loud and I can't hear my voice. But when I first lost the hearing, I couldn't get it, it threw me off. Everything was coming from this side."