About The Song
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” is a track by Paul Simon, released in 1975 as the second single from his album “Still Crazy After All These Years”. It became Simon’s biggest solo hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1976. The track features notable musicians like Steve Gadd on drums and backup vocals by Phoebe Snow, Patti Austin, and Valerie Simpson.
Despite its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, the song delves into themes of love, loss, and moving on. The song humorously presents various ways to end a relationship, with only five explicitly mentioned in the lyrics: slipping out the back, making a new plan, not being coy, hopping on the bus, and dropping off the key. Overall, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” is celebrated for its clever lyrics, catchy tune, and enduring popularity.
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Lyrics
“The problem is all inside your head”
She said to me
“The answer is easy if you
Take it logically
I’d like to help you in your struggle
To be free
There must be fifty ways
To leave your lover”
She said, “It’s really not my habit to intrude
Furthermore, I hope my meaning
Won’t be lost or misconstrued
But I’ll repeat myself
At the risk of being crude
There must be fifty ways
To leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover”
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Ooh, slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
She said, “It grieves me so
To see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do
To make you smile again”
I said, “I appreciate that
And would you please explain
About the fifty ways?”
She said, “Why don’t we both
Just sleep on it tonight
And I believe in the morning
You’ll begin to see the light”
And then she kissed me
And I realized she probably was right
There must be fifty ways
To leave your lover
Fifty ways to leave your lover
You just slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just get yourself free
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free
Slip out the back, Jack
Make a new plan, Stan
You don’t need to be coy, Roy
Just listen to me
Hop on the bus, Gus
You don’t need to discuss much
Just drop off the key, Lee
And get yourself free