What do you think Punky's Dilemma means?

Simon & Garfunkel - Punky's Dilemma Meaning

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Album cover for Punky's Dilemma album cover

Punky's Dilemma Lyrics

Wish I was a Kellogg's Cornflake
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'casion'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.

Wish I was an English muffin
'Bout to make the most out of a...

  1. anonymous
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    Jun 7th 2022 !⃝

    I vaguely remember Paul Simon told an interviewer that a fan came up to him at a concert and asked what was the meaning of the song. Her name was Punky, ergo Punky's Dilemma.
    If true I may have witnessed the event at a concert in West Covina, CA. Soon after S&G performed the song - which had not yet been released on record - a woman approached the stage and spoke with Paul. Maybe that woman was Punky....

  2. anonymous
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    Apr 20th 2017 !⃝

    "Everybody knows
    What he's tip-toeing
    Down there for...".

  3. 6stringer
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    Jul 14th 2015 !⃝

    I think this song was written for "The Graduate" but the director didn't care for it. Martin is 18 and doesn't care to go to college, but he really doesn't want to go to war in Vietnam. Those were your choices in 1968. Laying in the pool he pictures himself as anything but what and who he is. Corn flakes don't have to fight wars or make decisions. Later he sadly sees himself if he does go off to war, just a photograph in uniform on Mary Jane's piano,a distant memory as boys who didn't go off to war court the girl; everybody knows what they're tippy-toeing 'round there for.
    Paul Simon is brilliant.


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