Simon & Garfunkel remain one of history’s most cherished musical duos, their songs weaving intricate harmonies and poignant lyrics that resonate across generations. From folk roots to rock-infused hits, their discography is a treasure trove of iconic tracks. This exploration delves into some of their most essential songs, uncovering the stories and musical nuances that solidified their legendary status.
7 O’Clock News/Silent Night
“7 O’Clock News/Silent Night” presents a stark juxtaposition, a sonic collage that’s both unsettling and captivating. This track uniquely blends the serene Christmas carol “Silent Night” with a somber (and fictional) news bulletin read by DJ Charlie O’Donnell. The news report, layered with increasing volume, references the turbulent realities of the 1960s: the Civil Rights Movement, the untimely death of Lenny Bruce, the indictment of Richard Speck, HUAC, and the Vietnam War. This unconventional approach creates a powerful ironic commentary on the dissonance between festive cheer and harsh societal realities, making it a truly alternative Christmas classic and a unique entry in Simon & Garfunkel’s repertoire.
El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
Paul Simon’s lifelong fascination with global music traditions is beautifully exemplified in “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)”. Long before his celebrated Graceland album, Simon was drawing inspiration from diverse musical landscapes. “El Cóndor Pasa” boasts a rich and layered history, tracing back to traditional Andean folk melodies. Its journey includes a zarzuela (a Spanish form of musical theatre) titled El Cóndor Pasa by Peruvian composer Daniel Alomía Robles. Simon & Garfunkel’s rendition was directly influenced by Los Incas’s version, which they used as a musical foundation, adding English lyrics penned by Paul Simon. This globally inspired track found its home on their final studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, showcasing their evolving sound and cross-cultural musical exploration.
The Only Living Boy in New York
“The Only Living Boy in New York,” another gem from their swan song album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, subtly hints at the impending dissolution of the iconic duo. As both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel began contemplating solo paths, this song captures a sense of individual introspection within the partnership. Paul Simon’s lyrics contain a veiled reference to their early days as “Tom & Jerry,” as he reflects on feeling alone while Art pursued his acting aspirations in Mexico for Mike Nichols’s film adaptation of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. The lines “Tom, get your plane right on time / I know your part’ll go fine” are a direct nod to Garfunkel (Tom) and the diverging paths they were starting to take.
Kathy’s Song
“Kathy’s Song” stands as a testament to Paul Simon’s songwriting prowess and the enduring power of simple, acoustic arrangements. Originally unveiled as a solo acoustic piece on Paul Simon’s The Paul Simon Songbook in 1965, this tender ballad gained wider recognition when Simon & Garfunkel recorded their version for their second album, Sounds of Silence, the following year. The duo’s rendition brought Garfunkel’s signature harmonies to the forefront, enriching the song’s emotional depth and solidifying its place as a fan favorite. “Kathy’s Song” remains a quintessential example of Simon’s intimate songwriting and the duo’s vocal synergy.
Bleecker Street
Simon & Garfunkel are indelibly linked to New York City, and “Bleecker Street” serves as a poignant musical ode to the heart of Greenwich Village. This track encapsulates the complex emotions of city life – the blend of yearning hope and underlying desperation that permeates the urban experience. “Bleecker Street” marked a pivotal moment in their career, signaling their transition from primarily interpreting folk standards to showcasing Simon’s original compositions. Featured on their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., it highlights the raw, early talent of the duo and their ability to capture the spirit of a place through song.
Patterns
“Patterns” is another example of a Paul Simon song that was initially conceived for his solo Songbook album and later revitalized within the Simon & Garfunkel framework. This track takes a surprisingly stark and almost cynical view of human existence, portraying humanity as trapped and relentlessly driven, like “tortured rats in a maze.” This darker thematic exploration, coupled with a more driving musical arrangement than some of their earlier folk songs, found its place on their third album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, demonstrating the duo’s growing artistic range and willingness to tackle more complex subjects.
A Hazy Shade of Winter
“A Hazy Shade of Winter” marked a shift towards a more rock-oriented sound for Simon & Garfunkel and became a significant chart success, reaching number 13 on the Hot 100. While initially recorded during the Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme sessions, it was strategically held back for their subsequent album, Bookends. This song’s driving rhythm and introspective lyrics about the passage of time and life’s fleeting nature resonated with audiences. Interestingly, a later cover version by The Bangles for the Less Than Zero soundtrack in 1987 achieved even greater commercial success, climbing to number two, further cementing the song’s enduring appeal.
Richard Cory
Paul Simon’s songwriting often draws inspiration from diverse sources, and “Richard Cory” is a prime example of his literary influences. Here, he directly adapts Edwin Arlington Robinson’s 1897 poem from The Children of The Night. The song retains the poem’s dark narrative of social disparity and hidden despair. It tells the story of a factory worker who envies the wealthy and seemingly perfect Richard Cory, only to be shocked by the news that “Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head.” This song highlights Simon’s ability to translate complex literary themes into accessible and thought-provoking music.
The Boxer
“The Boxer” is a masterclass in storytelling within a song, showcasing Simon & Garfunkel’s ability to create emotionally resonant narratives. This track became one of their many Top 10 hits, peaking at number 7 after its release, preceding its inclusion on the Bridge Over Troubled Water album. Musically, “The Boxer” represents a significant departure from their earlier, sparser recordings. It’s richly layered with overdubs and instrumentation, reflecting a more elaborate production style. The recording sessions for “The Boxer” are rumored to have taken over 100 hours, testament to the meticulous craftsmanship invested in creating this iconic song.
I Am A Rock
“I Am A Rock” presents a lyrical inversion of John Donne’s famous 1624 verse, “No man is an island entire of itself.” This song initially appeared on Simon’s lesser-known solo album The Paul Simon Songbook before being revisited for Simon & Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence album. Inspired by the success of Tom Wilson’s electric remix of “The Sound of Silence,” the duo embraced electric instrumentation for “I Am A Rock,” solidifying their folk-rock credentials. This revamped version became a major hit, reaching number three and demonstrating their adaptability and willingness to evolve their sound.
Mrs. Robinson
The creation of “Mrs. Robinson” is intertwined with the iconic film The Graduate. Director Mike Nichols, captivated by Simon & Garfunkel’s first two albums, initially sought to license their existing music for the movie. Paul Simon agreed and offered to write new songs. While Nichols wasn’t initially enthusiastic about “Punky’s Dilemma” or “Overs,” he was immediately drawn to “Mrs. Robinson” (originally titled “Mrs. Roosevelt”). This incredibly catchy tune became synonymous with The Graduate, immortalized in the film and featured on the Bookends album alongside the initially rejected songs. “Mrs. Robinson” remains one of their most recognizable and enduring hits.
Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Paul Simon’s adeptness at reinterpreting traditional songs is brilliantly showcased in “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” arguably his most successful adaptation. He learned “Scarborough Fair,” a traditional English ballad, from Martin Carthy, who had learned it from folk musicians Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. (Bob Dylan had also previously borrowed lines from this version for “Girl From the North Country”). To make it uniquely their own, Simon fused “Scarborough Fair” with his 1963 song “The Side of a Hill,” which was reimagined as “Canticle” with a melody by Garfunkel. This innovative fusion became the opening track of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in 1966 and was later included in The Graduate soundtrack, further broadening its reach.
America
“America,” from the Bookends album released in 1968, stands as one of Paul Simon’s most deeply personal, evocative, and beautifully crafted songs. Inspired by a real cross-country road trip Simon took with his then-girlfriend Kathy Chitty, the song encapsulates the spirit of a road movie within its concise three-and-a-half-minute duration. It narrates the journey of two young lovers traversing the nation in search of the elusive promise of “America.” Despite its initial release on Bookends, “America” gained wider recognition later as the B-side to a live version of “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” to promote the duo’s Greatest Hits album in 1972. Its inherent quality eventually led to its rightful place as an A-side, achieving Top 30 success in the UK and further cultural impact through its inclusion in Cameron Crowe’s film Almost Famous.
Bridge Over Troubled Water
The title track of Simon and Garfunkel’s final album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, is widely considered their signature song and masterpiece. With its gospel-infused arrangement and message of solace and support, it resonates deeply with listeners. Paul Simon initially encouraged Art Garfunkel to perform the song solo, and after some persuasion, Garfunkel agreed. This proved to be a pivotal decision, as the song topped charts in both the UK and the US, along with numerous other countries. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has been extensively covered by artists across genres, including legendary figures like Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley, attesting to its universal appeal and enduring power.
The Sound of Silence
Originally titled “The Sounds of Silence,” the acoustic folk version of this song was inherently powerful, even though it didn’t initially achieve mainstream success, nor did its parent album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. In fact, its initial lack of commercial impact contributed to Simon & Garfunkel’s temporary split. However, producer Tom Wilson, fresh from his groundbreaking work on Bob Dylan’s folk-rock crossover album Bringing It All Back Home and the single “Like A Rolling Stone,” had a vision for the song. Without consulting Simon or Garfunkel (who had already separated), Wilson enlisted musicians Al Gorgoni, Vinnie Bell, Bobby Gregg, and Bob Bushnell to overdub electric instruments and remix the track into the now-classic electric version. While Simon was initially hesitant about the remix, it became a monumental hit, prompting a swift reunion between Simon and Garfunkel and launching them to superstardom.
Simon & Garfunkel’s legacy is etched in the tapestry of music history, and these songs represent just a glimpse into their profound artistry. Their ability to blend lyrical depth with captivating melodies and harmonies ensures their music will continue to move and inspire for generations to come.
