Slip Slidin' Away

"Slip Slidin' Away" is a 1977 song written and recorded by Paul Simon which appears on his compilation album Greatest Hits, Etc. It was one of two new songs to appear on the album, the other being "Stranded in a Limousine". Backing vocals on the song are provided by The Oak Ridge Boys. The song was originally recorded and considered for Simon's 1975 album Still Crazy After All These Years, but Simon decided not to include the song on the finished album. A demo version appears on the 2004 re-issue of the album.^[1][2][3][4] The song was also included on Negotiations and Love Songs (1988).

"Slip Slidin' Away"
Single by Paul Simon
from the album Greatest Hits, Etc.
B-side	"Something So Right"
Released	October 1977
Genre	Soft rock
Length	4:43
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Paul Simon
Producer(s)	Paul Simon, Phil Ramone
Paul Simon singles chronology
"Still Crazy After All These Years" / "I Do It For Your Love" (1976) "Slip Slidin' Away" / "Something So Right" (1977) "Stranded in a Limousine" / "Have a Good Time" (1978)

Billboard found the melody to be "catchy" and the lyrics to be "sensitive, thoughtful, melancholic and evocative."^[5] Cash Box said that "the emotionally complex lyric works around the title, which serves as the song's memorable chorus line."^[6] Record World said that it "shows [Simon's] perception of adult problems and relationships to be undimmed."^[7]

"Slip Slidin' Away" was released as a single in October 1977 and became a major hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.^[8] The song was regularly performed at both Simon's solo concerts and Simon & Garfunkel concerts.^[9]

Personnel

• Paul Simon – vocals, acoustic guitar
• Richard Tee – Fender Rhodes
• Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
• Steve Gadd – drums
• Ralph MacDonald – temple blocks, triangle, tambourine, shakers
• The Oak Ridge Boys – backing vocals

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1977–1978) Peak position Australia (KMR)[10] 35 Canada (RPM) Top Singles[11] 5 Canada Adult Oriented Playlist (RPM)[12] 27 France (SNEP)[13] 15 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14] 36 US Easy Listening (Billboard)[15] 4 US Billboard Hot 100[16] 5

Year-end charts Chart (1977) Rank Canada (RPM)[17] 186 Chart (1978) Rank US Billboard Hot 100[18] 48

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19]	Gold	500,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.