Question 1

True or false: Paul Simon's real first name is actually Paul Frederic Simon.

Accepted Answer

True. His full birth name is Paul Frederic Simon, though he's known simply as Paul Simon.

Question 2

True or false: Paul Simon co-wrote the musical 'The Lion King' with Elton John.

Accepted Answer

True. Simon contributed to the soundtrack, co-writing the song 'Under African Skies' for the Broadway adaptation.

Question 3

True or false: Paul Simon was a member of the band The Everly Brothers.

Accepted Answer

False. Simon was in Simon & Garfunkel, not The Everly Brothers, though he admired them and later collaborated with them.

Question 4

True or false: Paul Simon's song '50 Ways to Leave Your Lover' was inspired by a real breakup.

Accepted Answer

False. Simon said the song was a playful, fictional exercise, not drawn from his personal life; he wrote it quickly in the studio.

Question 5

True or false: Paul Simon won an Emmy Award for his television special 'The Capeman'.

Accepted Answer

False. 'The Capeman' was a Broadway musical, not a TV special; Simon won Grammys and a Pulitzer, not an Emmy.

Question 6

True or false: Paul Simon wrote the song 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' in just one hour.

Accepted Answer

True. Simon composed the melody quickly, but the lyrics took months; the song became one of his most celebrated works.

Question 7

True or false: Paul Simon once performed a concert entirely in Portuguese for his Brazilian fans.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1990, he sang a full set in Portuguese in Rio de Janeiro, showcasing his love for Brazilian music.

Question 8

True or false: Paul Simon is the only person to have a number-one single on the Billboard charts in six consecutive decades.

Accepted Answer

False. He has hits in five decades (1960s–2000s), but not six; other artists like Paul McCartney hold that record.

Paul Simon Trivia Questions