1. 7 O’Clock News/Silent Night
Alt Text: Juxtaposition of “Silent Night” carol lyrics and 7 O’Clock News audio, highlighting the song’s contrasting themes of peace and social unrest.
A truly unique and experimental track, “7 O’Clock News/Silent Night” is a fascinating sonic collage. This song cleverly intertwines the serene melody of the classic Christmas carol “Silent Night” with a jarring, simulated news bulletin. The news report, voiced by DJ Charlie O’Donnell, details somber events of the time – the Civil Rights struggle, Lenny Bruce’s death, the Richard Speck indictments, HUAC, and the Vietnam War. As the carol progresses, the volume of the news report intensifies, creating a stark contrast between the yearning for peace symbolized by “Silent Night” and the turbulent realities of the 1960s. This juxtaposition makes the track a quirky, ironic, and thought-provoking alternative Christmas piece that reflects the anxieties of the era.
2. El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
Alt Text: Simon & Garfunkel performing “El Condor Pasa (If I Could),” showcasing their folk-rock style and harmonious vocals.
“El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” stands as a testament to Paul Simon’s early explorations into world music, a journey that would later culminate in his groundbreaking Graceland album. However, even before Graceland, Simon demonstrated a keen interest in global musical traditions. “El Cóndor Pasa” boasts a rich and layered history. Its origins trace back to Andean folk music and a Peruvian zarzuela (a Spanish form of musical theatre) of the same name composed by Daniel Alomía Robles. Simon & Garfunkel’s rendition was directly inspired by Los Incas’s version, which provided the instrumental foundation for their recording. Paul Simon then penned new English lyrics, transforming the traditional melody into a song about longing for freedom and escape. This track became a highlight of their final album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, showcasing their ability to blend diverse musical influences into their signature sound.
3. The Only Living Boy in New York
Alt Text: Black and white photo of Simon & Garfunkel in studio, capturing the introspective mood of “The Only Living Boy in New York”.
“The Only Living Boy in New York,” another gem from Bridge Over Troubled Water, carries a poignant undertone of impending separation, hinting at the duo’s eventual breakup. As both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel began to explore individual paths, this song seems to reflect that growing distance. Paul Simon subtly alludes to their early days as “Tom & Jerry” (their original duo name) in the lyrics. The song is reportedly inspired by Art Garfunkel’s trip to Mexico to begin his acting career in Mike Nichols’s film adaptation of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Lines like “Tom, get your plane right on time / I know your part’ll go fine” are interpreted as a message to Garfunkel, expressing a mix of encouragement and perhaps a sense of being left behind, “the only living boy in New York.”
4. Kathy’s Song
Alt Text: Close-up of Paul Simon playing acoustic guitar, emphasizing the intimate and personal nature of “Kathy’s Song”.
“Kathy’s Song” is a quintessential Paul Simon composition, initially unveiled in its raw, acoustic form on his 1965 solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook. This version highlighted the song’s delicate beauty and Simon’s introspective songwriting. The more widely recognized Simon & Garfunkel rendition appeared the following year on their second album, Sounds of Silence. The duo’s version added Art Garfunkel’s signature harmonies, enriching the texture and emotional depth of the song. “Kathy’s Song” is a tender and heartfelt ballad, often interpreted as being about Kathy Chitty, Simon’s girlfriend at the time. It’s a timeless example of Simon’s ability to craft deeply personal yet universally relatable songs about love and longing.
5. Bleecker Street
Alt Text: Bleecker Street sign in Greenwich Village, New York, visually connecting the song to its geographical inspiration.
Simon & Garfunkel were undeniably New York artists, deeply rooted in the city’s cultural fabric. “Bleecker Street” serves as a moving ode to this iconic Greenwich Village street, capturing the complex emotions of urban life – a blend of hopeful aspirations and underlying anxieties. This track marked a significant turning point for the duo, signaling their shift from primarily performing folk standards to showcasing Paul Simon’s original songwriting talents. “Bleecker Street” became a standout track on their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., and encapsulates the burgeoning folk scene of Greenwich Village, with its blend of artistic yearning and city grit.
6. Patterns
Alt Text: Abstract image representing repetitive patterns, reflecting the lyrical theme of “Patterns” by Simon & Garfunkel.
“Patterns” is another song that Paul Simon initially recorded solo for The Paul Simon Songbook before revisiting it for Simon & Garfunkel. However, in the duo’s hands, “Patterns” transformed into a surprisingly edgy and harder-rocking track compared to Simon’s solo acoustic version. The lyrics present a stark and somewhat cynical view of humanity, depicting people as “tortured rats in a maze,” trapped in repetitive cycles and societal expectations. This darker, more philosophical song found its place on their third album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, showcasing a broader range of themes and musical styles within their repertoire.
7. A Hazy Shade of Winter
Alt Text: Winter scene with bare trees and a hazy sky, visually representing the atmosphere of “A Hazy Shade of Winter”.
“A Hazy Shade of Winter” proved to be a commercial success for Simon & Garfunkel, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as a single. This energetic, rock-infused track was initially intended for Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, but was ultimately held back and included on their subsequent album, Bookends. The song’s driving rhythm and evocative lyrics about the passage of time and changing seasons resonated with listeners. Interestingly, a later cover version by The Bangles for the Less Than Zero soundtrack in 1987 achieved even greater chart success, climbing to number two, further cementing the song’s enduring appeal.
8. Richard Corey
Alt Text: Factory scene depicting workers and industrial imagery, alluding to the social commentary in “Richard Corey”.
Paul Simon’s songwriting often draws inspiration from diverse sources, and “Richard Corey” is a prime example of his literary influences. The song is heavily inspired by Edwin Arlington Robinson’s 1897 poem from The Children of The Night, also titled “Richard Cory.” Simon adapted the poem’s narrative into a folk song, retaining its dark and poignant story. “Richard Corey” tells a somber tale of class disparity and hidden despair. It portrays a factory worker who envies and resents his wealthy boss, Richard Corey, only to be shocked by the news that “Richard Corey went home last night and put a bullet through his head.” The song explores themes of appearances versus reality and the unseen struggles that can lie beneath a facade of wealth and success.
9. The Boxer
Alt Text: Image of a lone boxer in a ring, symbolizing the themes of struggle and resilience in “The Boxer”.
“The Boxer” is a remarkable feat of storytelling within a song, and it became another of Simon & Garfunkel’s numerous Top 10 hits, reaching number 7 on the charts before its inclusion on Bridge Over Troubled Water. Significantly more elaborate in its production than their earlier, sparser recordings, “The Boxer” features rich instrumentation and layered overdubs. The recording sessions for this track were reportedly extensive, lasting over 100 hours, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship that went into its creation. The song’s narrative, often interpreted as autobiographical for Paul Simon, speaks of resilience in the face of hardship and the struggles of an artist navigating the music industry, using the metaphor of a boxer enduring blows.
10. I Am A Rock
Alt Text: Image of a solitary rock isolated in a landscape, visually representing the theme of emotional isolation in “I Am A Rock”.
“I Am A Rock” presents a contrasting viewpoint to John Donne’s famous 1624 verse, “No man is an island entire of itself.” This song initially appeared on Paul Simon’s less-known solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook, before being resurrected 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,” further solidifying their folk-rock sound. This electric version became a hit, reaching number three and demonstrating their evolution from purely acoustic folk to a more commercially successful folk-rock style. The song’s lyrics explore themes of emotional detachment and self-imposed isolation as a defense mechanism against vulnerability.
11. Mrs. Robinson
Alt Text: Still image from “The Graduate” film featuring Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson, linking the song to its cinematic origins.
The genesis of “Mrs. Robinson” is closely intertwined with Mike Nichols’s iconic film, The Graduate. Nichols, deeply impressed by Simon & Garfunkel’s first two albums, initially sought to license their existing music for the movie. After some persuasion, Paul Simon agreed and also offered to write new songs specifically for the film. While Nichols wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about “Punky’s Dilemma” or “Overs,” he recognized the potential in another song Simon presented. This song, initially titled “Mrs. Roosevelt,” evolved into the incredibly catchy and enduring “Mrs. Robinson.” Immortalized by its prominent inclusion in The Graduate, “Mrs. Robinson” also found its place (along with the initially rejected songs) on the Bookends album, becoming one of their most recognizable and beloved songs.
12. Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Alt Text: Medieval fair scene evoking the traditional English ballad origins of “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”.
Paul Simon’s adeptness at reinterpreting traditional songs is evident in “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” perhaps his most successful and celebrated adaptation. “Scarborough Fair” is rooted in a traditional English ballad, which Simon learned from Martin Carthy, who in turn had learned it from folk musicians Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. (Notably, Bob Dylan had previously borrowed lines from this version for his song “Girl From the North Country”). To create their unique rendition, Simon ingeniously combined “Scarborough Fair” with his own 1963 song, “The Side of a Hill,” which was reworked into “Canticle” with a melody composed by Art Garfunkel. This fusion of traditional ballad and original composition became the opening track of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in 1966 and gained further exposure through its inclusion in The Graduate soundtrack a few years later.
13. America
Alt Text: Vintage car driving on an open road, symbolizing the journey and search for meaning in “America”.
Originally featured on 1968’s Bookends, “America” stands as one of Paul Simon’s most deeply personal, poignant, and beautifully crafted songs. Inspired by a real-life cross-country road trip Simon took with his then-girlfriend Kathy Chitty, “America” encapsulates an entire road movie narrative within its three-and-a-half-minute duration. The lyrics vividly depict the journey of two young lovers traversing the country in pursuit of the elusive and perhaps mythical ideal of “America.” Despite its significance, “America” was initially relegated to the B-side of a live version of “For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” to promote the band’s Greatest Hits album in 1972, after their split. Fortunately, its artistic merit was soon recognized, and it was rightfully promoted to an A-side single, achieving Top 30 success in the UK. The song gained renewed attention when it was featured in Cameron Crowe’s nostalgic 2000 film Almost Famous.
14. Bridge Over Troubled Water
Alt Text: Tranquil water scene with a bridge in the distance, visually representing the themes of solace and support in “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.
“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” the gospel-infused title track of Simon and Garfunkel’s final album, is widely regarded as their signature song and masterpiece. Paul Simon initially envisioned himself singing the song, but ultimately persuaded Art Garfunkel to take the lead vocal. After some convincing, Garfunkel agreed, a decision that proved to be pivotal. The song became a massive global hit, topping charts in both the UK and the US, and numerous other countries. Its powerful message of comfort and unwavering support resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. Like many of Simon & Garfunkel’s songs, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has been covered extensively by artists of immense stature, including Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley, further solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
15. The Sound of Silence
Alt Text: Simon & Garfunkel performing “The Sound of Silence” in their early folk style, contrasting with the later electric version.
Originally titled “The Sounds of Silence,” the initial acoustic, folk rendition of this song was undeniably brilliant, even though it didn’t achieve immediate commercial success, nor did its parent album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.. In fact, the album’s commercial failure contributed to Simon & Garfunkel’s initial breakup. However, their producer, Tom Wilson, who had recently worked on Bob Dylan’s groundbreaking folk-rock crossover album Bringing It All Back Home and the hit single “Like A Rolling Stone,” had a transformative idea. Without consulting Simon or Garfunkel (as they had already disbanded), Wilson enlisted session musicians Al Gorgoni, Vinnie Bell, Bobby Gregg, and Bob Bushnell to overdub electric instruments and remix the original acoustic track into the now-iconic electric version. While Paul Simon was initially hesitant about the remix, it became a monumental hit, prompting a swift reunion between Simon and Garfunkel, and the rest, as they say, is music history. “The Sound of Silence” in its electric form became a defining song of the 1960s and a cornerstone of Simon & Garfunkel’s enduring legacy.
