Simon Talks Songwriting Inspirations and Upcoming Tour

Paul Simon appeared as a guest on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on April 2, 2026, where he performed a classic track and discussed his musical influences and current touring schedule.

During the broadcast, Simon performed Something So Right, a song from his 1973 album There Goes Rhymin’ Simon.

Influences and Career Reflections

In his conversation with Stephen Colbert, Simon reflected on the early trajectory of his career, specifically recounting the moment he discovered that The Sound of Silence had become his first hit on the United States charts while he was touring in Europe.

When asked to identify an American lyricist he admired, Simon highlighted the impact of Chuck Berry. He credited Berry with teaching an entire generation of songwriters, including the Beatles and Bob Dylan, through his ability to create stories with an effortless flow.

In the 50s, Chuck Berry wrote things that were so good they could’ve been part of the Harlem Renaissance, and he taught my whole generation. They’re all influenced by Chuck Berry—Bob and the Beatles and everybody—cause he made stories in words that flowed effortlessly. And his stories were great.

Paul Simon

2026 Tour and Recent Honors

Simon is currently maintaining a rigorous performance schedule throughout 2026. His itinerary includes shows across Europe during April and May 2026, followed by a return to the United States for performances in June 2026.

This touring activity follows a significant professional milestone earlier in the year, as Simon received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Grammys.

Overcoming Hearing Challenges

The current tour follows the 2025 North American tour, titled A Quiet Celebration, which marked Simon’s first time returning to the road since his farewell trek in 2018.

During a previous appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on June 19, 2025, Simon revealed that he had experienced severe hearing loss in his left ear while recording his album Seven Psalms.

Simon explained that the hearing loss initially made him feel that he would be unable to perform live comfortably again. However, he and his sound technician developed a specialized speaker setup that allowed him to hear himself adequately while on stage, which enabled his return to touring.

During that June 19, 2025, appearance, Simon admitted to feeling nervous on the first night of the new tour because he was unsure how the technical setup would translate from a small studio environment to a theater. He noted that the performances improved as the tour progressed.

That 2025 visit also featured a performance of the song The Sacred Harp from Seven Psalms, performed as a duet with his wife, Edie Brickell.