“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” was written & produced by Paul Simon. Phil Ramone was the co-producer on the song.

The song was written after Paul Simon’s divorce from his first wife Peggy Harper. It was recorded in a small New York studio on Broadway.

In February of 1976, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and also topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

On March 11, 1976, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” was certified Gold by the RIAA.