Hearts and Bones

"Hearts and Bones" is the sixth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon, released in 1983 by Warner Bros. Records. Originally intended to be titled Think Too Much, Simon changed it at the suggestion of Mo Ostin, president of Warner Bros. The album was written and recorded following Simon & Garfunkel's The Concert in Central Park in 1981 and the subsequent world tour in 1982–1983. Some songs intended for Think Too Much were previewed during the tour, and Art Garfunkel collaborated with Simon in the studio, initially aiming for a new Simon & Garfunkel album. However, the title track and others reflected Simon's personal experiences, particularly his relationship with actress Carrie Fisher, leading him to decide it should be a solo project. This decision upset Garfunkel, resulting in the dissolution of their partnership.

In the recording of "Think Too Much (a)," Steve Ferrone was brought in by Nile Rogers to record drums. After several attempts met with silence from Simon, Rogers experimented with effects on his guitar, leading to a satisfactory take despite initial concerns about synchronization.

Hearts and Bones charted for 18 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 35, but is viewed as a commercial disappointment compared to Simon's other works. Reviews of the album were mixed. Don Shewey of Rolling Stone described it as exploring the conflict between heart and mind, with subtle songs that matched its cerebral nature. Robert Christgau called it "a finely wrought dead end," while retrospective reviews have praised it as Simon's most personal and ambitious work. William Ruhlmann highlighted its lyrical depth and blending of styles, and David Bloom noted its riskier approach compared to Simon's earlier albums.