The Werewolf

Album: Stranger to Stranger (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The exotic sound heard at the beginning of the song is from a gopichand, an one-stringed Indian instrument. The track got its title when Paul Simon and his band blended the sound of the gopichand with hand claps and the Peruvian percussion instrument Cajón. When he slowed the tempo way down, it sounded like someone was saying "the werewolf." Simon turned that into a song about the inevitability of human mortality, in which the symbol of death is not the grim reaper but a mythical werewolf.
  • The beats are provided here by Italian musician Clap! Clap! whose album Tayi Bebba, blending African field recordings and EDM, is admired by Simon. Clap! Clap! contributed to two other tracks on Stranger to Stranger, "Wristband" and "Street Angel."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.