Paul Simon, one of the most revered songwriters of the 20th century, has a unique ability to turn the seemingly mundane into something deeply introspective and compelling. Released as part of his 1983 album Hearts and Bones, “Allergies” is a wry, self-aware, and intricate exploration of not just physical ailments but also emotional and existential ones. While Simon often weaves social or personal themes into his work, “Allergies” stands out for its wit, irony, and clever lyricism.
The song might sound, on the surface, like a humorous rant about physical sensitivities, but under Simon’s pen, allergies become a metaphor for life’s unavoidable and persistent struggles—whether they manifest physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Let’s take a closer look at the meaning, themes, and brilliance of “Allergies” by Paul Simon.
Meaning of “Allergies” Lyrics
The word allergies runs through the song like a mantra, serving as a literal affliction and a figurative representation of Simon’s deeper struggles. The lyrics, packed with sharp wit and reflective wordplay, show Simon grappling with both tangible physical ailments and the intangible woes of the heart and mind.
Simon’s choice of allergies as a focal point is telling. Allergies are deeply personal yet mundane. They’re universal, yet specific to the sufferer. This duality mirrors the nature of human struggles—unique yet universally understood.
“Maladies
Melodies
Allergies to dust and grain
Maladies
Remedies
Still these allergies remain”
These opening lines immediately establish the tone. Simon pairs melodies with maladies—a juxtaposition that hints at the artistic mind’s struggle to create beauty while living with discomfort. The repetition of “still these allergies remain” reinforces an essential theme of the song: some problems persist no matter the remedies we try.
A Metaphor for Artistic and Emotional Struggles
Paul Simon has often spoken of the challenges artists face. Creativity is rarely comfortable. It is an effort of the mind and body, and “Allergies” speaks to these struggles. Simon sings:
“My hands can’t touch a guitar string
My fingers just burn and ache
My head intercedes with my bodily needs
And my body won’t give it a break”
Here, he paints a vivid image of physical pain obstructing his ability to create. For a musician whose art depends on hands, the burning fingers symbolize more than just a physical reaction—they represent the difficulty of pursuing art when the body refuses to cooperate. “My head intercedes with my bodily needs” could reflect the artist’s internal conflict: a racing, overworked mind trying to reconcile with a body that demands rest.
This tension extends beyond the physical to matters of the heart. Simon cleverly expands the metaphor:
“My heart can stand a disaster
My heart can take a disgrace
But my heart is allergic to the women I love
And it’s changing the shape of my face”
Here, allergies become emotional. Simon’s heart can endure disaster and disgrace, yet it’s the women he loves who cause the most turmoil. Love, which should bring comfort, instead reshapes him—like an allergic reaction that physically alters his appearance. It’s a brilliant and biting commentary on the complexities of relationships, where emotional vulnerability can feel as inescapable as a chronic ailment.
Simon’s Observational Wit
Simon’s lyrical wit shines brightest in his self-aware questions about the absurdity of life’s persistent afflictions. He sings:
“I go to a famous physician
I sleep in the local hotel
From what I can see of the people like me
We get better
But we never get well”
This stanza has a quiet, sardonic humor. Whether it’s allergies or emotional struggles, there’s an inevitability to our human condition: we get better, but we never get well. Simon critiques the futile pursuit of a perfect cure for problems that, at their root, are part of being human.
And in perhaps the song’s funniest line, he delivers this:
“Where do allergies go
When it’s after a show
And they want to get something to eat?”
Here, Simon highlights how afflictions seem to have their own whims, surfacing at inconvenient times. His playful framing of allergies as if they’re conscious beings (deciding when to strike) gives the song an ironic charm.
The Production and Sound
While the lyrics take center stage, the production of “Allergies” deserves mention. The song features a frenetic energy, largely driven by the virtuosic guitar work of Al Di Meola, whose rapid-fire picking mirrors the jittery, agitated nature of the allergies Simon describes. The music adds another layer to the song—its restlessness perfectly aligns with the lyrical themes.
The sharp tempo, layered instrumentation, and dynamic shifts reflect the sensation of being overwhelmed, much like one would feel during an allergic reaction. It’s a masterful pairing of sound and content.
Musically, “Allergies” showcases Paul Simon’s ability to marry poignant lyrics with lively, engaging instrumentation. The song features a driving rhythm and vibrant electric guitar, performed by Al Di Meola, a jazz fusion legend. This dynamic energy contrasts with the lyrical heaviness, creating a sense of irony that amplifies the song’s emotional impact.
The music itself mirrors the theme of discomfort: sharp guitar solos and angular rhythms suggest agitation, reflecting the feeling of an allergic reaction. This deliberate choice highlights how Simon uses sound to echo the lyrical themes of irritation and unease.
Legacy and Impact
While “Allergies” is often overlooked compared to Simon’s more popular hits, its brilliance lies in its subtle complexity. It’s a song that rewards careful listening and reflects a more mature, introspective Paul Simon—a man grappling with life’s limits while maintaining his wit and poetic voice.
By turning something as mundane as allergies into a metaphor for human frailty, Simon invites listeners to see their own struggles through a lens of humor, sadness, and resilience. The song resonates with anyone who’s ever felt betrayed by their body, heart, or mind—reminding us that we all carry invisible ailments that shape who we are.
Though “Allergies” isn’t among Paul Simon’s most famous songs, it remains a remarkable piece of songwriting that showcases his skill at transforming the mundane into something profound. It’s a clever, multi-layered work that reveals more with each listen.
Simon’s ability to turn physical maladies into a broader metaphor for emotional and artistic struggles resonates deeply, especially among creative minds who understand that discomfort and inspiration often go hand in hand.
The song also reflects Simon’s wry humor and self-awareness, traits that have made his work so enduring. Few songwriters can balance melancholy with wit as gracefully as he does.
Conclusion
“Allergies” is more than just a song about physical sensitivities—it’s a meditation on persistence, discomfort, and the universal human struggle to reconcile body, mind, and heart. With lyrics that are equal parts humorous and poignant, Paul Simon captures something uniquely human in this underrated gem.
Whether you suffer from allergies or simply from the weight of life’s persistent woes, this song serves as a reminder that some struggles, like great art, are inescapably part of the human experience.
“We get better, but we never get well.”