Five hours is enough time to watch a Mets game. It is enough time to listen to the Spice Girls' "Spice" album (40 minutes), Paul Simon's "Paul Simon" album (42 minutes) and Gustav Mahler's third symphony (his longest). It is enough time to roast a chicken, text your friends that you've roasted a chicken and prepare for an impromptu dinner party. Or you could spend it checking your email. Five hours is about how long many workers spend on email each day.

Paul Simon is a renowned singer-songwriter with a spectacular career spanning many years. It's no surprise that he is regarded as one of the most important individuals in popular music given his body of work, which features hit singles, honorable mention albums, and countless collaborations. But what precisely about Paul Simon's background makes it so impressive? His songwriting is unrivaled, first and foremost. Paul has penned some of the most enduring and well-loved songs of the 20th century, from his early work with Simon and Garfunkel to his solo career and collaborations with musicians like Graceland.