Simon, Paul - Run That Body Down Lyrics






Went to my doctor yesterday
She said I seem to be O.K.
She said
"Paul, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think that you can
Do what you been doin'
Who you foolin?"

I came back home and I went to bed
I was resting my head
My wife came in and she said
"What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong
Ah, I told her what's wrong
I said "Peg, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think that you can
Do what you been doin'
Now, who you foolin?"

Kid, you better look around
How long you think that you can
Run that body down?
How many nights you think that you can
Do what you been doin'
Who you foolin?





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Simon, Paul Run That Body Down Comments
  1. 1.... ....

    So good and so true.

  2. K.... F....

    The stories throughout this album are just great! Paul Simon is one of the truly great story tellers and does it melodically probably better than anyone.

  3. j.... j....

    Leave it to a Jew from New York to start a song ‘I went to the doctor yesterday..’ haha love Paul!

  4. O.... O....

    Sad,plaintive.

  5. A.... B....

    Getting discharged from the hospital vibes

  6. T.... S....

    This song never gets old, but I did.

  7. L.... M....

    Went to the doctor Yesterday She said I seem to be OK
    She said, "Paul, you better look around
    How long you think that you can
    Run that body down?
    How many nights you think you can
    Do what you been doin'
    Who, now who you foolin?"

    I came back home and I went to bed
    I was resting my head
    My wife came in and she said
    "What's wrong, sweet boy, what's wrong?"
    I told her what's wrong
    I said, "Peg, you better look around
    How long you think you can
    Run that body down
    How many nights you think you can
    Do what you been doin'
    Who, now, who you foolin?"

    Who you foolin?
    Who you foolin?

  8. M.... R....

    I have always loved this song since I first heard it as a child., interesting sound of jazz and blues... Emotional and/or physical strife yet with a certain confidence in the lyrics.... plus that semi Doo-Wop sounding mid point from about 2:10 with the vibraphone, prominent bass line. And how interesting of him to sing out of his range in higher octaves in the falsetto voice.

    M.... R....

    props for the insightful review man, and what a classic!

  9. J.... T....

    Its a song made by an angel, for people , to remember this. Rather its work, drugs, play, boxing sports ect: How long you think you can run that body down? So it's not a song for those who do drugs only.

  10. D.... A....

    Its a beautiful song to play to people you love who have substance/alcohol abuse disorder. Paul says it all.

  11. i.... ....

    Who gave this thumbs down? I want to fight you.

    i.... ....

    Peace. Like a river ;)

  12. D.... L....

    So easy on the ears.

  13. n.... g....

    good advice for Bret Gloria you work to hard

  14. S.... A....

    My junior high English textbook brought me here

    S.... A....

    Immanuel?😂

  15. G.... R....

    Marc Maron podcast

    G.... R....

    Gordon Reichert which episode?

    G.... R....

    Myriam QuTopp Lorde was rattling off some of her favorite songs.

  16. J.... K....

    This song always brings a smile to my face 😊

  17. S.... K....

    Lorde brought me here

    S.... K....

    Sarathlal K S me too!

    S.... K....

    Me three!

    S.... K....

    That interview was so good.

    S.... K....

    AHH SAME

  18. R.... I....

    The musical genius of Paul Simon is on full display here with all of its rich, cosmic portent in full, perfectly synthesized swing! X-O-X-O

  19. B.... ....

    The quiet falsetto part is so much McCartney alike. Must love it!!!

  20. B.... W....

    Love this song. I remember when it came out and thought about myself. 'm still here in 2016. What a miracle.

  21. M.... G....

    Love it dearly

  22. r.... t....

    Thx Fawdz

  23. N.... E....

    I love when Paul Simon lets loose with his falsetto - 'tis a really sweet sound.

    N.... E....

    You are not kidding--incredible!

  24. g.... f....

    Who do you think you're foolin'? 

  25. C.... M....

    This is such a beautiful song, just another masterpiece of the great Paul Simon! I ♥it!!!

  26. R.... R....

    Jerry Hahn does the sweetest guitar solo on this track.

  27. R.... P....

    think this is about self inflected problems

    R.... P....

    Robert Pagano i think of partying particular for some reason haha

  28. T.... B....

    Dear acoustic uplift, if you're still out there,
    The Beatles are not the 'last word' on popular music, the Beatles are the FIRST word, the touchstone, the very genesis of an elevated form of progressive music that launched in the mid 60's and continues to this day.
     your age might be forgiven but not your cultural ignorance.
    What you lack perspective on is that before the Beatles laid the groundwork, there was nothing to pop, no thought or art expressed in a universal way. There was just oooh baby baby, Perry Como and R and B .The Beatles / Dylan introduced the elements of profound song writing and performance and affected EVERY popular group who came after. The kind of contemplative, jazzy ballad that Mr Simon plays here would have gotten no airplay but for the fact that the Beatles had opened that door, and a dozen others, some five years before. (Norwegian Wood,Michelle, for example). International music as extolled by Paul Simon was given freer rein because the Beatles introduced eastern rhythms and instruments into their repertoire.
     I assume you're not a musician so I'll try and make it simple for you. The Beatles first album introduced elements of funk, which means bass line and guitar reverse roles somewhat, bass taking on a more melodic role, with rhythm guitar being truly a rhythm instrument. ( Listen to 'Drive my car' or 'I saw her standing there' ).
    Or 'Blackbird' which Paul wrote with Bach fugues in mind, the chords ascending and descending as if imitating flight, but the final chord ascending some four beats after the lyric ends. Every song is crafted for effect, no throwaways, no dross.
    This is masterful songwriting. 
     forget the cutesy haircuts, they were musicians.Lennon recalled that he decided to approach Mccartney with the idea of forming a group after he saw Paul playing and singing both right handed and left handed without changing the orientation of the strings.(Paul is naturally left handed).
    Virtually all music forms that exist today have been either profoundly changed by the 'Fab4' or only exist because of them:
    Metal- ('I want you/she's so heavy')
    Acid Rock-(' Lucy inthe sky, etc)
    Country- ('Act naturally", etc)
    Experimental music- ('Sgt Pepper, Revolution nine, and dozens of others)
    Orchestral music- ( Eleanor Rigby), etc etc, etc.
    Beatles songs in the hundreds have been covered by every configuration of musicians, from symphony orchestras down to solo singer / songwriters

    T.... B....

    The fact that the Beatles are considered the greatest rock band shows how far rock criticism has to go before it can be taken seriously

    T.... B....

    LMFAO..Are you THAT out of touch.??.or just trolling?

  29. u.... ....

    simply beuty.

  30. P.... ....

    Man..one of my absolute favourites........thanks for this!!!

  31. T.... D....

    The great Jerry Hahn is playing the cool guitar solo,

  32. L.... N....

    Right on.

  33. X.... ....

    The song leaves you simply calmed down and with a smile on your face. Just nice.

  34. J.... T....

    Your comment regarding Western influence in the world is complex and one which I am not prepared to debate in this forum. I may be stirring up the pot again, but you've got it wrong about the Beatles and their popularity in Japan, etc. There was no blitzkrieg style hype (as you put it) going on back then. There was no engine for it, since promotion back then was VERY primative. No, it was more word of mouth and ear! People's reactions were genuine. Hard to imagine, yet true!

  35. A.... ....

    Hegemony or imperialism in this context its all the same to me. My point is not that being western diminishes its so called greatness but that why should the West have the last word/monopoly on what's great? There might be the odd acknwldgmnt of non-western influences on modern living i.e China, Egypt but not to the same level. It's so self-congratulary. Also the Beatles were prob. popular in those Asian countries due to the the blietkrieg style hype. And thats not2 take anything away from them.

  36. J.... T....

    Philippines!

  37. J.... T....

    Let's at least agree that the Beatles achieved a very high level of artistic competence, producing music which has resonated with several generations. Whether they continue to occupy the top spot in the pantheon of great "popular" artists is a question only time will resolve. As for the dominance of Western culture, that appears to be fading (somewhat) with the advent of the global economy. Bear in mind that, in their day, the Beatles were wildly popular in Japan and the Phillipines.

  38. J.... T....

    Not to split hairs, but I think cultural hegemony rather than imperialism. I don't think the West is, any longer, forcing it's culture on the rest of the world, though it certainly dominates (for now). But this has been so historically (read "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" by David S. Landes). Look at the so-called great books. They are European (mainly Greek). That the consensus comes by way of the West does not necessarily diminish their greatness.

    J.... T....

    What in the world does that gibberish have to do with this beautiful song?

  39. A.... ....

    The Beatles are revered so much in the West based on various factors. Western culture is all pervasive now, like it or not, so there4 this consensus has somehow become axiomatic & few dare to challenge it.

  40. A.... ....

    I hear you on the Graceland issue. I've had many a discussion/argument defending Paul's right to be influenced by other cultures. Which leads me to my next point about consensus. You're absolutely right that it exists albeit not universally. However there are cultural influences on this consensus that will obviously make it biased. Hence my initial comments about cultural imperialism.

  41. J.... T....

    When it comes to great Art, Literature, Music, Architecture, etc., we are dealing with a consensus of opinion. In most cases, you won't find universal agreement. Was Picasso the greatest artist of the 20th century? The consensus is that he was. Surely there are some who would disagree. As for Simon and Wonder, I agree that they are geniuses of the first order. Incidentally, I recall that Simon was criticized for "stealing" the South African sound for his album Graceland. Can't please everyone!

  42. J.... T....

    Clearly, we are not able to execute a mathematical proof of the subject at hand. And yes, I agree that we are dealing with opinion. But opinion is - one would hope - not immune to logical reasoning. At any rate, there is a consensus concerning the music and cultural impact of the Beatles and their music among professional musicians, musicologists, and music critics which supports my thesis. Though some may disagree, they are certainly in the minority. Read Walter Everett's book.

  43. A.... ....

    Basically I'm saying no matter how much we rate an artist there'll always be those who won't feel the same because of the diversity of tastes. As much as I think people like P.Simon and S.Wonder are geniuses, I have to accept not every1 would see them that way. As for you saying that there was nothing like the Beatles sound@the time...I'm sure the artists from whom they 'borrowed' would beg2 differ. IMO, as I've said that came down to packaging. But hey, I wasn't born@ the time...

  44. A.... ....

    This is not a matter of logic, but mere opinion. That you consider their work to be 'masterpieces' I would still argue is purely subjective. Not every1 would agree. Recognise their talent, yes but not maybe to the same extent as some. There4 the hyperbole is on your part not mine. Throwing words around like 'masterpiece' prove my point exactly. This group are venerated beyond belief. I don't think any mere mortal is worthy of the unmitigated admir8n bestowed on them by some...

  45. J.... T....

    Again, I have to disagree with your reasoning, and pointing out the flaws in your logic is not the same as being defensive. I don't think anyone is holding the Beatles up as "the bastion of all music" as you put it, or "the last word" in music. That's your hyperbole. However, their impact and importance cannot not be understated. It is not necessary for you to like their music, though. Not everyone likes a Mahler symphony, though they are clearly masterpieces. Same goes for Beatles' music!

  46. A.... ....

    No one group or artist should be held up as the bastion of all music. Your defensiveness about the group help prove my point, some people carry on like its anathema to not think the Beatles are THE last word in contemporary popular music.

  47. A.... ....

    I can't argue with your memory of the impact the Beatles had on the scene at the time because it was many years B4 I was born. I also understand what you mean about artists not being created in a vaccum. I still don't think it warrants the god-like infallible status the so-called Fab 4 have acquired all these years. Although recognising talent should be objective the degree that talent is appreciated is purely subjective...

  48. J.... T....

    I hate to burst your bubble regarding the Beatles, but clearly, you don't know what you are talking about. For one thing, artists don't create in a vacuum. Rather, they are part of a milieu and assimilate the styles and sounds of their contemporaries. This is true for the Beatles, Paul Simon, Dvorak, Beethoven, etc.. Also, I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s and I can tell you that until the Beatles arrived, there was nothing like their sound. That's why they made such an impression.

  49. A.... ....

    No, please don't misunderstand me. I wasn't including you in that category of ignorant musical imperialists! It's clear you really know your music. Apologies if it came over offensively. Only know 1 song from Joni so I'll have to take your word for it on that one.

  50. A.... ....

    It's not interviews I've read. It's just my consternation has grown over the years because it's now presumed axiomatic that the Beatles are the best group ever. I still say that's dictated by the imperialist mindset of some, both music journalists and those members of the public not necessairly music fans but too lazy to think for themselves.

  51. A.... ....

    Not purely political. If you distinguish the Beatles as the yardstick for rock music, fine. I'm not a rock fan so I'll sit out of that debate anyway. I just think a lot of music journalism has unfairly IMO upheld them as the yardstick for ALL music. It's funny you say Paul is of a different genre. I suppose I would as well (more folky) but I get the impression he's shoved under the rock umbrella too often. Oh yes I still say he was ahead of his time in many ways. Great discussion, thanx! ;-)

  52. A.... ....

    Infidels by who? The imperialism I mentioned applies more to the attitude of the music press and those who would purport to be pundits of popular culture towards the Beatles. Somehow 4 Caucasian boys with guitars become the yardstick for all thats good about music. There's none of this hyberbole surrounding Paul.I could stomach it more because a lot of his work shows he does not think traditional 'western' sounds are the be all and end all.His outlook has been interntnl even B4 it was du jour.

  53. A.... ....

    Fair enough those examples are not close to soul but the early stuff were straight rip offs of Chuck Berry etc. I just think Paul has always been a bit more up front and willing to credit his varied influences than the 'Fab Four', there's nothing disingenuous about it, although he still gets flack from some quarters. It seems some ppl assume he's exploiting Africans just because he collabos with them. I don't think that's fair on him but hey.

  54. A.... ....

    To be fair I don't really know much Bob Dylan. I've just never been captured by what I have heard.

  55. A.... ....

    We'll have to agree to disagree. The Beatles pilfered -or borrowed for those less cynical than me - many different sounds, repackaged them and sold it to a mainstream audience. Fair enough I wasn't born then but I won't credit them for changing the face of music. It's just rock fans who don't like to credit soul music for anything, want to believe that. I feel cultural imperialism is responsible for a lot of the hype surrounding that group. Like Elvis they're credited for way too much.

  56. A.... ....

    Couldn't have put it better myself. Funnily enough, I always say compared to the veneration bestowed on some of his more overrated (IMO) contemporaries like Lennon& McCartney and Dylan, Paul is quite underrated.

  57. X.... ....

    the great secret ;-P

  58. J.... K....

    Paul had a way of writing such cool melodies. Powerful tunes that hit you with a whisper instead of a scream.

  59. c.... ....

    Spot on

  60. w.... ....

    When I was a boy, hearing the song first time, I was surprised, that his doc was a she. Good image a woman, who is absolutely on your side...
    Great composer and poet.

  61. T.... ....

    Spot on

  62. M.... ....

    By far my favorite paul simon song, great backing band too - Ive always wondered who played that very tasty wah wah guitar solo? pure genius... melodic and to the point

    M.... ....

    I hear it's Jerry Hahn

  63. J.... D....

    Thank you for posting this, I absolutely love Paul's first solo album and this sond should be played for every child in the Dare program.