... which obviously hurt him in some way "I am a Rock" and no one can reach me on my island, is what Paul Simon wanted to put in the minds of the listeners, in my opinion at least ... was isolated, and like a rock, then he would be in good shape Paul Simon simply used a rock to symbolify how the person wanted to feel "They" wanted to be isolated from society, which obviously ... non-feeling rock, that nothing except god himself can destroy, then he would be tough and free of his troubles He wants to be like an island, because islands don't have much to deal with, some islands...