50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
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"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is a 1975 hit song by Paul Simon, from his album Still Crazy After All These Years.
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[edit] Creation
It was written after Simon's divorce from first wife Peggy Harper and takes a humorous look at ways to end a relationship: "Just slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan." Studio drummer Steve Gadd created the unique drum beat that became the hook and colour for the song consisting of an almost military beat. The song was recorded in a small New York City studio in the heart of Broadway.
[edit] Cover Versions
The song has been covered several times, including the translations "30 manieres de quitter une fille" by the French singer Michel Delpech and "50 Tips ihn zu verlassen" by the German singer and actress Ulla Meineke. On July 12, 2006 the Monteal Jazz Festival played a Tribute to Paul Simon and the song was covered by Jamie Cullum while the Platinum Pied Pipers made a Latin reworking of it. Hedy McDonald, Sandra Bernhard and the King's Singers also created their own versions as did British house music producer Trevor Jackson as Playgroup.
Sage Francis, an independent rap artist, covered the song and renamed it "50 Ways to Dis Your Ex-Lover." The Shannon McNally EP Bolder Than Paradise has a version called "50 ways".
The song was played by the fictional puppet band Electric Mayhem on the Muppet Show, and sung during a comedy skit on the Jackson Variety show in 1977.
The song was referenced in "I Can't Touch You Anymore" by The Magnetic Fields, in which the singer asserts "you wanna tell me 50 ways you've left your lovers".
There is also a popular mash-up version of the song entitled, "50 Ways To Kill Your Lover." The track, which features Simon's backing track and chorus, is mixed in with the Morcheeba and Slick Rick compilation, "Women Lose Weight."
[edit] Chart Positions
"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" broke in the US in late December 1975 becoming number one in on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1976 and remaining there for three weeks. It was certified gold on March 11, and remained a best-seller for nearly five months. It remains Simon's biggest ever solo hit.
In the UK Top 40, the song reached position number 23 in January 1976.
| Preceded by "Love Rollercoaster" by Ohio Players |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single February 7, 1976- February 21, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Theme From "S.W.A.T."" by Rhythm Heritage |
