Plein Air 05: Let Me Live in Your City

The 1973 release of Paul Simon’s third studio album, “There Goes Rhymin' Simon,” boasted some of his most renowned songs like “Kodachrome” and “Loves Me Like a Rock.” But it wasn’t until 2004 in the remastered edition of the album that Simon released a “work in progress” alongside demos and acoustic versions of some of the album’s biggest hits. This work in progress, “Let Me Live in Your City,” is intimate and unpolished. Simon alone sings while playing nylon string guitar in a single, unedited take. And I’m glad he never finished this work in progress. Full production would only take away from the strength the song carries on its own. My own performance of this song is played against the backdrop of calm morning surf, grey clouds, and the occasional seagull or crow. The lyrics are really pleasant to speak and sing, and it always calms me to play the opening chords of the intro. May it bode similarly for you as you listen.