The 1969 song Paul Simon never tired of: “I loved it”
While performing at a theatre in Paris in 1969 alongside South American group Los Incas, Paul Simon became captivated by an Andean folk melody titled 'Paso Del Condor' that the ensemble regularly performed. Simon attended their shows frequently, drawn to the composition, and eventually decided to adapt it for his own use by setting new lyrics to the melody as part of his upcoming album work.
Unbeknownst to Simon, the melody had been originally created and copyrighted by Peruvian composer Daniel Robles in 1913, with the copyright registered in the United States in 1933. When Simon's version emerged as part of his acclaimed 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water, Robles' son initiated a lawsuit to claim composer rights. The legal action resulted in Simon being required to credit Robles as a composer, with his estate thereafter receiving royalty payments from the recording.
- Paul Simon adapted an Andean folk melody called 'Paso Del Condor' during a 1969 Paris residency with Los Incas, incorporating it into his 1970 album Bridge Over Troubled Water.
- The original composer was Peruvian musician Daniel Robles (1913); his son's legal action secured posthumous composer credit and royalty rights for the track.