A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics by Paul Simon, 1 meaning. A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) explained, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
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Paul Simon – A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics
I been Norman Mailered, Maxwell Taylored
I been John O'Hara'd, Mcnamara'd
I been Rolling Stoned and Beatled till I'm blind
I been Ayn Randed, nearly branded
Communist, 'cause I'm left-handed
That's the hand I use, well, never mind

I been Phil Spectored, resurrected
I been Lou Adlered, Barry Sadlered
Well, I paid all the dues I want to pay
And I learned the truth from Lenny Bruce
And all of my wealth won't buy me health
So I smoke a pint of tea a day

I knew a man, his brain so small
He couldn't think of nothing at all
He's not the same as you and me
He doesn't dig poetry. He's so unhip that
When you say Dylan, he thinks you're talking about Dylan Thomas
Whoever he was
The man ain't got no culture
But it's alright, ma
Everybody must get stoned

I been Mick Jaggered, silver daggered
Andy Warhol, won't you please come home?
I been mothered, fathered, aunt and uncled
Been Roy Haleed and Art Garfunkeled
I just discovered somebody's tapped my phone
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Songwriters: Paul Simon
A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission) meanings

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    + 4
    Missy Blue Bakon-Bhyter
    This is a "rambling" (desultory) diatribe attacking the personalities of the day, especially political types (McNamara, the secy of defense, and Maxwell Taylor, the Chief of the Joint Staff under Kennedy and the one who lead the US into Vietnam), but including famous literary types as well (John O'Hara, author of "Butterfield 8" which would star Liz Taylor in the movie version. Paul Simon goes on to name the famous music producers Phil Spector and Lou Adler, and the Green Beret guy who wrote the Ballad of the Green Berets, Barry Sadler. Then he takes a swipe at Bob Dylan (Everybody must get stoned, which is why he smokes a pint of "tea" a day!). It is generally taken as a spoof of Bob Dylan's rambling and aimless lyrical style.
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    • m
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      Missy Blue Bakon-Bhyter
      This is a "rambling" (desultory) diatribe attacking the personalities of the day, especially... Read more →

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