Paul Simon Tells Stephen Colbert Why “Feelin’ Groovy” Makes Him Cringe, How He Learned To Love Frank Sinatra’s “Mrs. Robinson” Cover, And His Outlook For Performing ‘Seven Psalms’ Live

Simon recalled with evident disdain having to sing it with Artie all the time because it was a hit.

Simon said he loved that HBO two-parter, prompting Colbert to ask if he had ever met Frank Sinatra.

He changed the lyric, Simon recalled, calling out the swingin substitution for Jesus in the Sinatra version.

Paul Simon on stage in 2021 for the Global Citizen Concert in New York’s Central ParkPhoto By: Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection

And ring-a-ding-ding, Mrs. Robinson / Jilly loves you more than you will know.

I said, You cant do that!

I said, Im stopping the record.'

Over time, Simons initially frosty response completely thawed.

You know the music that comes on after the concerts over?

Thats the first song we play.

While the conversation yielded plenty of laughs, it also included a number of stirring passages.

(Colbert commiserated by noting that he is deaf in one ear.)

Ill see if I can get through the piece.

Ill see if I can sing it for 35 minutes and hear properly.

And Im optimistic that I can.