How $25,000 and a filmmaker’s obsession led Paul Simon to write the defining song of the 1960s
Director Mike Nichols, absorbed by Simon and Garfunkel’s music while making *The Graduate*, asked Columbia Records chief Clive Davis to help secure songs from the duo for the film. Paul Simon was wary of writing a full soundtrack, but agreed to submit a few originals, leading to “Mrs Robinson”, which became one of the era’s best-known songs.
Simon reportedly received $25,000 and a script to read. He first offered “Punky’s Dilemma” and “Overs”, which Nichols did not consider suitable, then played an unfinished song provisionally called “Mrs Roosevelt”; changing the name to fit the film’s character helped win Nichols over.
- Nichols wanted Simon and Garfunkel songs for *The Graduate*.
- Simon accepted $25,000 to write several songs.
- An unfinished “Mrs Roosevelt” became “Mrs Robinson”.
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"The Graduate" was a major American film from 1967 that had a significant cultural impact. Director Mike Nichols was absorbed by the music of the duo Simon and Garfunkel and wanted to include their songs in the film. He worked with Clive Davis, the head of Columbia Records, to approach songwriter Paul Simon about contributing original material.
Paul Simon was hesitant about composing a full soundtrack for the film. To persuade him, Nichols and Davis offered him $25,000 and a copy of the script. Simon initially submitted songs that Nichols did not think were suitable, but eventually proposed a new composition originally titled "Mrs Roosevelt"; changing the title to "Mrs Robinson" after a character in the film led Nichols to approve it.
"Mrs Robinson" became one of the most recognisable songs of the 1960s and helped establish Simon and Garfunkel as prominent artists of their generation. The song has remained well known and culturally significant since its release.