Legendary musician Paul Simon turned in a captivating and masterful performance of his classic “Slip Slidin’ Away” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Only a handful of musicians' names and works are instantly recognized across generations. Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Frank Sinatra all come to mind immediately as musicians who belong to this category. For example, people born decades after The Beatles broke up still know and love their classic tunes. 

Another musician who fits perfectly in that exclusive category is Paul Simon. He and Art Garfunkel’s classic “The Sound of Silence” is one of music history's most recognized and covered songs. Even those who aren’t fans of Simon and Garfunkel know that tune and can likely sing along purely because they have heard it so many times.

When Simon and Garfunkel broke up and went their separate ways, both continued producing music. Paul has had solo success with songs such as “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “You Can Call Me Al,” and “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

In an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Paul played the 1977 song “Slip Slidin’ Away.” It was a terrific performance from a legendary musician. 

“Slip slidin’ away

Slip slidin’ away

You know, the nearer your destination

The more you’re slip slidin’ away”

Like John Denver and Bob Dylan, Paul has a gift for songwriting. His lyrics can and often do tell a beautiful, personal and even heartbreaking story. Sure, the beats to his tunes may be upbeat and catchy, but Paul is gifted in storytelling and songwriting. He’s arguably one of the best songwriters of all time. 

While he may be in his early 80s, Paul Simon's performance on the popular late-night program shows that he still has it.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”