The incomparable Paul Simon had his 84th birthday on October 13. Many fans celebrated by posting messages to the singer-songwriter (and one-half of the iconic folk duo, Simon & Garfunkel). Lukas Nelson, the country music singer and son of Willie Nelson, did one better: he wished him a happy birthday through song.
Specifically, Lukas performed one of his songs: “Still Crazy After All These Years,” the title track to Simon’s 1975 album. In the video Lukas posted on TikTok, he belts out a rendition while plucking at an acoustic guitar. Though it’s only a quick snippet of the song, it’s clear that the tune is one that Lukas cherishes deeply.
“Happy Birthday, [Paul Simon],” wrote Lukas. “This one’s for you.”
Lukas’s performance resonated with his followers. “Very nice gift to Simon. Another one of my favorites. You really step out of the box, Lukas. Great job,” commented one fan. “Happy Birthday, Paul, beautiful tribute,” added another, while a third commented, “Happy Birthday, Paul, beautiful tribute.”
Paul Simon released Still Crazy After All These Years forty years ago this month (Oct. 17, 1975). The album produced four top 40 hits—“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Gone at Last,” “My Little Town,” and the title track—and won two Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
This is also not the first Paul Simon song that Lukas Nelson has covered in recent months. In June, while on The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM, Lukas covered Simon & Garfunkel’s “Kathy Song.”
Lukas said that, after seeing Paul Simon finish up a five-show run at the Beacon Theater, the “journey that he’s been on” had “inspired” him. “He had some hearing issues and really pushed past it, and it was one of the most moving shows I’ve ever seen,” said Lukas before performing the cut from Simon & Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence.
Coincidentally, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lukas sought comfort in the Simon & Garfunkel classic. He posted a “Quarantunes Evening Session” of him performing “The Sound of Silence” as a way to inspire unity during that moment of uncertainty.
Recently, Lukas paid homage to Neil Young, an artist who had a massive impact on his life. Lukas named his band, the Promise of the Real, after a Neil Young song, and met his drummer, Anthony LoGerfo, at a Neil Young concert in 2008.
Promise of the Real eventually became Young’s backing band for subsequent tours, and while playing with the “Heart of Gold” singer, Lukas caught the eye of Bradley Cooper. Lukas became Bradley’s mentor on A Star Is Born, and even contributed a few songs to the award-winning soundtrack.
