Paul Simon Reveals Why Richard Dreyfuss Was Impossible to Collaborate With
The legendary musician opened up about a failed collaboration attempt with the acclaimed actor for his film project, citing an unexpected creative obstacle that made their partnership unworkable.
Paul Simon's journey through the music industry has never been particularly smooth when it comes to working relationships. The legendary songwriter frequently clashed with Art Garfunkel during their studio sessions, and even his solo work required countless takes before he felt satisfied with the results. Projects like Graceland presented their own unique challenges in bringing collaborators together. However, Simon always recognized when certain partnerships simply wouldn't click, no matter how much effort was invested.
Despite these behind-the-scenes tensions, Simon's recorded output tells a different story entirely. His early solo albums showcase him as one of music's most relaxed and natural storytellers. Even apparent mistakes in the studio often transformed into magical moments, such as the distinctive percussion sounds that kick off 'Cecilia' from Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Breaking Out of Musical Routine
After releasing several solo records, Simon encountered the creative roadblock that haunts every artist eventually: artistic stagnation. The familiar process of recording ten or eleven tracks in his usual style no longer sparked his imagination. Seeking fresh inspiration, he decided to explore completely new territory.
Garfunkel had already ventured into acting, which gave Simon the idea to try his hand at film music composition. This wasn't uncharted territory for musicians – Elvis Presley and The Beatles had successfully transitioned to movies. While Simon wouldn't be starring in the production, his concept for what became One Trick Pony carried much more artistic integrity than typical rock star vanity projects.
The Dreyfuss Dilemma
The biggest challenge involved finding the right performers to bring Simon's songs to life on screen. Although Simon had proven his on-camera abilities through multiple Saturday Night Live appearances, he preferred letting professional actors interpret his material for their specific characters. Most casting decisions worked out smoothly, but Richard Dreyfuss presented an insurmountable problem.
Simon didn't even attempt to make the collaboration work once he considered the practical realities. While Dreyfuss would only need to lip-sync, his distinctive speaking voice made the illusion impossible to maintain. Simon explained the situation bluntly: 'At one point, Richard Dreyfuss and I talked about it. It couldn't be done. It would have been insurmountable, because I had to give the soundtrack to Warner Bros., and there was no way I could have Richard Dreyfuss singing on it. There was no way Dreyfuss could be in the movie and open his mouth and have my voice come out. It would be funny.'
Maintaining Artistic Standards
The situation would have required significant suspension of disbelief from audiences, though previous musicals had successfully used similar techniques. However, allowing Dreyfuss to use his natural singing voice wasn't an option either – that approach had produced disasters like Jack Nicholson's painful rendition of 'Go to the Mirror' in Tommy.
Transitioning from album production to filmmaking presented entirely different challenges, but Simon refused to compromise his standards. He wanted his movie to carry the same emotional impact as his musical work, even if that meant turning away established stars who couldn't serve the project's needs.