Simon & Garfunkel, the iconic American folk-rock duo, have left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. Among their rich catalog of songs, “Keep the Customer Satisfied” stands out as a testament to their lyrical genius and musical prowess.
This track encapsulates themes of dissatisfaction, the pursuit of success, and the grinding toll of constant expectation. To fully appreciate the impact of this song, one must delve into its background, the historical context, and its intricate lyrics to uncover a deeper meaning and interpret its societal implications. As we explore these themes, we will also consider alternative interpretations, including the compelling argument that the song reflects life on the margins of society, particularly within the urban underworld.
Background
“Keep the Customer Satisfied” is a song from Simon & Garfunkel’s fifth studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, released in January 1970. The album itself was a massive success, topping charts around the world and cementing the duo’s status as one of the leading acts of the era.
The song was written by Paul Simon, the primary songwriter of the duo, and reflects his experiences with the pressures of fame and the music industry. While not released as a single, “Keep the Customer Satisfied” quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of Simon & Garfunkel’s live performances.
Historical Context
The late 1960s and early 1970s were a time of significant change and upheaval in the United States. The Vietnam War was raging, the civil rights movement was in full swing, and the counterculture revolution had challenged the established social and political norms.
In the midst of this societal turmoil, the music industry was also undergoing its own transformations. Bands and artists were experimenting with new sounds and pushing against the commercial expectations of record labels and producers. Against this backdrop, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Keep the Customer Satisfied” can be seen as a subtle yet poignant commentary on the artist’s struggle for authenticity in an industry driven by profit and consumer demand.
However, as we will explore, this is not the only valid interpretation of the song.
Lyrics and Meaning
“Keep the Customer Satisfied” opens with the lines:
“Gee but it’s great to be back homeHome is where I want to beI’ve been on the road so long my friendAnd if you came alongI know you couldn’t disagree.”
The song immediately introduces a theme of weariness and the desire for solace after a long period of striving and being on the move. The idea of “home” symbolizes comfort and safety, contrasting with the pressures of life on the road.
As the song progresses, it highlights the relentless effort required to maintain success:
“I’m one step ahead of the shoe shine,Two steps away from the county line,Just trying to keep my customers satisfied,Satisfied.”
These lines convey the constant hustle and the precarious balance required to stay ahead. The phrase “one step ahead of the shoe shine”, often interpreted as a metaphor for staying ahead in a competitive industry, has also been suggested to be slang for evading law enforcement, as police officers were known for their polished shoes.
Alternative Interpretation: A Glimpse into Urban Life and Street Vernacular
While “Keep the Customer Satisfied” can be seen as a commentary on the pressures of fame and the relentless demands of the music industry, another compelling interpretation suggests that the song reflects the experiences of someone navigating the challenges of urban life—specifically, the life of a drug dealer or another figure operating in the shadow of the law.
In this interpretation, the phrase “one step ahead of the shoe shine” is thought to be a slang reference to law enforcement, with “shoe shine” symbolizing the polished shoes of police officers.
The imagery here is striking, portraying someone who is constantly evading the authorities, always on the edge of getting caught. The line “two steps away from the county line” takes on a new meaning as well, suggesting a means of escape—perhaps crossing a jurisdictional boundary where law enforcement’s reach diminishes, a common tactic in street-level operations.
This perspective is reinforced by the verse:
“Deputy Sheriff said to meTell me what you come here for, boyYou better get your bags and fleeYou’re in trouble boyAnd now you’re heading into more.”
This section does not easily align with the interpretation of the song as solely about the pressures of fame. Instead, it reads more like a confrontation with law enforcement, reinforcing the notion that the protagonist is someone constantly on the run.
Whether this suggests a drug dealer, a hustler, or even a fugitive of some kind, the song clearly carries an undercurrent of tension and pursuit.
Viewed through this lens, the song’s narrative shifts from the pressures of celebrity to the high-stakes, precarious existence of someone involved in illegal activities. The repeated efforts to “keep the customer satisfied” could then symbolize the dangerous balancing act required to maintain one’s livelihood while staying ahead of both law enforcement and the competition. The “deputy sheriff” in the lyrics may represent real-life encounters with authority figures, emphasizing the constant threat of arrest and the need for vigilance.
This interpretation underscores the versatility of Paul Simon’s songwriting. It highlights how the same set of lyrics can resonate with different audiences in entirely distinct ways. Whether seen as a metaphor for the music industry’s demands or a depiction of life on the streets, “Keep the Customer Satisfied” remains a powerful narrative of struggle, survival, and the lengths to which one must go to endure in a challenging world.
By considering these alternative readings, we gain a deeper appreciation for the song’s richness and the various ways it can speak to the human experience, whether in the glitzy world of fame or the gritty realities of urban life.
Legacy and Societal Impact
“Keep the Customer Satisfied” resonated with audiences as a reflection of the human experience, beyond the confines of the music industry. In a world increasingly focused on consumerism and driven by the satisfaction of endless desires, the song’s message took on a broader societal relevance.
The legacy of “Keep the Customer Satisfied” lies in its timeless appeal. It is a song that captures the spirit of an era while also speaking to the enduring struggle for balance between personal fulfillment and external demands.
As with much of Simon & Garfunkel’s work, the impact of this song has been felt across generations. It has been covered by several artists, featured in movies, and used in television, allowing its message to continue to resonate with new audiences.
A Multi-Layered Song
While the urban outlaw reading of the song is compelling, it does not necessarily invalidate the industry-based interpretation. In fact, both readings enrich our understanding of the song. Paul Simon’s writing often embraces ambiguity, allowing his songs to resonate on multiple levels.
The key takeaway is that songs, like all forms of art, can carry different meanings depending on the listener’s background and perspective. A musician might relate to the exhaustion of the road and the relentless demands of record labels, while someone more familiar with urban struggles may hear a story of life in the shadows, trying to avoid law enforcement while maintaining a precarious existence. Rather than choosing one definitive interpretation over another, acknowledging these varied perspectives deepens our appreciation of the song’s complexity. Simon & Garfunkel’s genius lies in their ability to craft music that speaks to different experiences in equally profound ways.
Conclusion
In the end, Keep the Customer Satisfied is a song that resists a single, clear-cut meaning. Its themes of exhaustion, pursuit, and survival speak to different audiences in different ways, whether in the context of fame, the pressures of a working-class hustle, or the struggles of those living on society’s margins. The song’s ambiguity is its strength, inviting listeners to find their own meaning within its lyrics. As with much of Simon & Garfunkel’s work, the song endures because it captures something universal—the need to keep moving forward, to stay ahead, and to navigate the demands placed upon us, whatever form they may take…
You have way overthought the meaning of the song lyrics. If you were in touch with urban culture and Street vernacular the meaning would be clear. Keep the Customer Satisfied is referring to the life of a drug dealer. One step ahead of the Shoe Shine. Is a slang term for the police or law enforcement because their shoes are always shined. Two Steps away from the county line. Means having a Means of fleeing due most authority didn’t pursue into a different county. Now read the rest of the lyrics and it will all make sense.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the song’s lyrics. I appreciate your insight, especially regarding the interpretation tied to urban culture and street vernacular. While my analysis in the article took a broader approach, focusing on the pressures of fame and the music industry, your point about the song reflecting the life of a drug dealer is a valid and intriguing interpretation.
It’s fascinating how songs, particularly those as rich and layered as Simon & Garfunkel’s, can be understood in multiple ways depending on one’s background and experiences. The line “One step ahead of the shoe shine” as a reference to law enforcement makes a lot of sense in the context you’re describing, and the idea of being “two steps away from the county line” as an escape route adds a whole new dimension to the lyrics.
Music often resonates differently with each listener, and that’s one of the beautiful things about it. Your interpretation adds another layer to the song’s meaning, and I’m glad you shared it. It’s a reminder that the same piece of art can carry varied, yet equally valuable, messages for different people. Thanks again for your thoughtful input!
Mr Finch,
Your so-called “analysis” did not take “a broader approach”, you simply came up with a facile interpretation and then selectively sampled parts of the lyrics that could be squeezed to fit it, whilst ignoring those parts that clearly falsify your hypothesis. An all-to-common critical weakness but I would expect a 14-years old student to do better, let alone a Leeds University graduate.
How do you possibly conclude that the following verse – which you conveniently omitted – has got anything to do with the pressures of the music industry?
“Deputy Sheriff said to me
Tell me what you come here for, boy
You better get your bags and flee
You’re in trouble boy
And now your heading into more”
JSB’s interpretation is correct – it’s about trying to live in the shadow of law enforcement, either drug dealing or possibly male prostitution.
Your interpretation is not “equally valuable” and does not “add another layer to the song’s meaning”; it is simply confused and incorrect. It might “resonate differently” to you, but I suspect most others find it discordant. However, the most disappointing aspect of your response to JSB is that you cling to your original narrative as a viable alternative instead of accepting that it is critically flawed and admitting that, on reflection, you made a mistake and JSB’s interpretation is most likely the correct one.
It is a free country and you are, of course, entitled to your own opinion – even if it is wrong. But a combination of weak analytical skill and an inability to admit mistakes distracts from an otherwise interesting and useful web resource.
Dear Dr. Dram,
I appreciate you taking the time to engage with my analysis and share your perspective. A spirited discussion about music and interpretation is always valuable, and I welcome constructive criticism.
You are absolutely right to highlight the significance of the verse about the “Deputy Sheriff”—it is a striking part of the song and certainly lends weight to the interpretation that it reflects life on the margins of the law. I never intended to dismiss that reading, and I fully acknowledge that the song resonates strongly with themes of evasion and survival, which could fit into the framework of street life, including drug dealing or other illicit activities.
However, I would gently push back against the idea that there is only one “correct” interpretation of a song like this. Paul Simon’s songwriting is famously rich in metaphor and ambiguity, and while some lines may seem to support one reading over another, songs—especially those by artists as nuanced as Simon & Garfunkel—often carry multiple layers of meaning. The pressures of the music industry, particularly in an era of rapid change and commercial expectation, are not an unreasonable theme to explore in the context of a song about constant movement, exhaustion, and the demands of “keeping the customer satisfied.”
That being said, I value your critique and will certainly reflect on whether my reading gave enough weight to the alternative interpretation. Your insights, along with JSB’s, have deepened the discussion around this song, which is ultimately what good analysis should encourage.
Thank you again for engaging so thoughtfully. I truly appreciate it.
Best,
Eddie