Paul Simon said of the line "silver girl . . your time has come to shine" that his wife had been distressing over finding more and more gray hairs and he told her this. So personal and heartwarming a response to be elevated into a song such as this.
You should see their live rendition of this song in the Concert in Central Park in 1981. You will be able to see how beautiful and skillful Art Garfunkel's voice really was.
The last verse makes me tear up every time I hear it because I sang this song to my now-grown daughters when they were babies. And yes, I am always committed to them and will do my best to ease their way while allowing them to fly ❤ Beautiful song, wonderful analysis.
Paul Simon is amazing, he wanted the drums to have that distant crashing sound so he had the drummer play slightly down the hall in front of a bank of elevators with the doors open in front of the drum kit. Genius is all I can say. What a song, it'll never grow old
Now imagine driving along in 1970 and listening to the radio as I was at 16, having just gotten my driver's license. It didn't matter whether I was cruising around with friends or riding along with my parents, grandparents, or anyone else. It didn't mattet the musical tastes of whomever controlled he radio. Whether listening to a pop station, rock ststion, middle of road station, folk, R&B, or soul stations, you were going to hear this song played often! That's how loved and accepted this song was across all genres. That's a truly remarkable achievement in musical artistry. In early 1971 Aretha Franklin's cover was released and we heard a lot of that one too. Truly amazing, peoples' universal love for this song.
My favorite line of the song: "When evening falls SO HARD, I will comfort you." Yeah, sometimes the end of the day just hits like that when you're going through a rough time.
Paul Simon has said that, when they were preparing the album for release, while he figured this was certainly a great album track, he never considered it a single. When the record label insisted it be a single, he thought they were nuts. However, the first time he heard the song come on the radio, he said the way the piano and Garfunkel's voice cut right through even a cheap car speaker, he knew it was going to be huge.
Larry Knechtel on the piano, this guy is a legend, he did session recording for MANY hits and artists, from The Beach Boys to Elvis, etc. check his bio, it's phenomenal... And mostly unknown.
Larry was a great session player who performed on many excellent albums and singles (piano, bass, harmonica and guitar)... but then he became a member of the group, Bread, who had a very successful career with David Gates as their main singer/writer. Larry won a Grammy for his piano work on "Bridge Over Troubled Water", he also played the bass on The Doors first album and he played the lead guitar on Bread's classic song "The Guitar Man".
This song is like a master class in building and releasing tension. It's practically a three-act story, which builds with each act, but each act in itself contains a series of rises and falls, starting with that gentle, sparkling piano and breathy, desperately restrained lyrics, all the way up to that massive belting, orchestral climax.
I first heard this song during a very difficult time in my life when I felt I had no support. It brought me a great deal of comfort and it still does. Music can have such a powerful effect in our lives and speak to us so viscerally. I know you are analysing it so expertly from a musical perspective but from an emotional point of view, for me at least, it is just incredibly emotional. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Music can be so tremendously powerful, not only by its own beauty but also by the feelings and memories that it evokes from when you first heard it. This was released the year I graduated from high school, a troubled time then for many people. The song is part of the sound track of my life, as they say. Sometimes hearing it almost brings tears.... Thank you for sharing your reaction.
The pianist is Larry Knechtel, a studio musician from LA, a member of the famed 'Wrecking Crew', who played on practically every pop song during the 60's and 70's. Paul Simon wrote it, and Art Garfunkel takes the lead. Produced by Roy Halee who did an unbelievable job. Happy to say that all of these gentlemen are still with us, with the exception of Mr. Knechtel.
Larry Knechtel played piano on this piece, a long-time member of the Wrecking Crew; he won a Grammy in 1970 for this performance. So many great musicians who are all but unknown; it is wonderful when one has a true showcase of their artistry. BTW, Paul Simon was told he needed a third verse to make the song long enough; he never felt the verse he added fit the rest of the song. So many works of art are "imperfect" to their creator - maybe all of them?
One of the most beautiful songs, in my mind. I played it for my mother's funeral, I know that's a somewhat macabre statement, but it was so lovely and uplifting. I loved how the cymbals felt like waves breaking, like a splash as you said, and Garfunkle's soaring, clarion tenor voice. Something so simple done so perfectly builds to something so dramatic and hopeful and full of, I dunno, glory?
Simon and Garfunkel (and this song, although I love all of their music) were the soundtrack of my elementary school days. No other artist had such an impact on me back then, as these two did. I am so very blessed to have been born at the right time to hear and witness the amazing music these two made.
I don’t know if you meant to do it, but “Born at the Right Time” is a great song by Paul Simon on his album The Rhythm of the Saints. A great listen if you haven’t heard it.
Paul Simon must have very strong jaw muscles -- the song is so sweet, I believe it immediately crystallizes into solid sugar the moment it leaves his throat. Yet he has the strength to chew through it. What an achievement!
That's Larry Knechtel playing that piano and people should talk about him more than they do. He's responsible for a lot of recorded music we hear from this period and not just piano.
Art Garfunkel has the voice of an angel. I was fortunate to take my mother to see him in concert twice. The first time we were in the 2nd row, center stage and mom was truly mesmerized.
That song is MAJESTIC (majestuosa in my spanish language), and it is the only song I describe with that word. I´ve listened to BOTW about a million times, and every time I get goosebumps because of the beauty of it at all levels
Great reaction to an iconic Simon & Garfunkel songs. Always love when you return to them, since I know you really like them. I love the opening piano, with Art Garfunkel's beautiful voice. And like you I love how it slowly builds to the grand moment at the end. In the second part you do get to hear Paul Simon's voice, which I think you are used to hearing more of in your other reactions to them, including his harmonies, and certainly in Paul's one solo song you have heard (he has some great ones). Paul is the songwriting genius behind the duo, so I'm glad you paid attention to the beautiful lyrics. I agree, a very positive and uplifting song. Looking forward to you exploring more S&G, along with Paul's very successful solo career.
One of the greatest songs ever written. Larry Knechtel received a Grammy Award for this piano performance! He was a member of the Wrecking Crew, who playing in countless hits including The Beach Boys, Mamas & The Papas, Carpenters etc. the list is endless!! Larry was also the bass player for Bread 😉
What I noticed in this, my 1000th listening of this song, is the unique use of harmony. You’d think, as the song builds, that harmony would be part of the ending in a big way, but after Simon’s voice joins Garfunkel’s in the third verse, it drops out again for the final chorus and coda. It is the sound of a single person singing into the world, into the chasm, wrestling with the emotions. And what a good decision that was. It’s hard to think of any other pop vocal this great. Am I right that this was Art’s first take? I think I remember that, but I’m not sure.
I grew up w/ this song....I recall it as a new tune. Still one of the most emotional songs in my life. When you need a song like this- this IS the go to song.
Another great example of progressive layering. It’s so subtle in the accompaniment, but it does get slightly louder and percussive whilst remaining gentle and serene.
As everyone else has pointed out, this is truly a masterful piece by Simon & Garfunkel. If you are enjoying the folk-rock genre another artist that you must explore would be Seals & Crofts, and perhaps the song "Hummingbird" would be a good place to start with them.
Perfect dynamics for a magnificent songwriting. It cannot be surpassed, but it can be referred to by multiple covers, infected by its immortality. To highlight the one produced in 2024 by Jacob Collier.
Great video Amy , its hilarious you have never heard one of the most instantly recognizable songs of all time - what a joy for us to watch. MMMMM Mr Blue Sky next ? , go on Vlad , you know you want to !
Such a masterpiece. I used to say "No band will ever do work like that again." Then a band called "Extreme" did a duet accompanied only acoustic guitar called "More than words". And hit it out of the park. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel listened to that for the first time. And I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Nuno Bettencourt and Gary Cherone of Extreme got to hear Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee perform "Break In".
Your comment about a bridge fitting in a lyric with sailing is so spot on and funny. Yup, these guys did not know much about sailing. For a sailor a bridge is a concern, not something tou think of as helpful usually.😉
The simultaneous build and release of tension is so apropos, with the subject of the song being a source of calm in the storms of life. It reminds me of scriptures about finding peace through trials, such as this one: Ps. 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Really hard to believe that anyone who has been trained in music, particularly classical music, hasn’t heard this song at least once in their lifetime. But I’ll take your word for it. 😉
Oh, please! .... you cannot even begin to comprehend how OLD this argument is .... .....you either believe Amy is honest and genuine .....or, you're a fool who should take a good look at yourself......! .....the tendency to disbelieve people with zero evidence generally doesn't turn out well......!!
My initial reaction too. I know, thanks to the internet, people in Europe know this song. And how many times have we heard it ourselves? All the same. I bought in to the first listen. It can happen. There are countless popular TV shows which I have never seen a single episode. Pleased you were pleased with this tune, Amy.
@@michaelfrank2266Thanks to the internet? For fuck sake, I'm Portuguese (Portugal is in Europe for you Americans) and I love this song since before the internet was even a thing (the internet only become available to civilians in 1992). I don't know what the hell you speaking about, the internet is amazing, but before that we don't actually lived in the dark ages for centuries
@@almahperditae You completely misunderstood me. Congratulations. "Thanks to the internet," is how I would know someone like you would have heard of this song. "Thanks to the internet," I now know you personally know this song too. I also can name and locate nearly every country in Europe. You're trashing the wrong American dude.
@@michaelfrank2266 oh... My bad lol I can't even use the "English is not my first language" because I genuinely misunderstood what you said, and you use the commas in the right way even. It was all me. I really don't understand what you said. Sorry about that
It could be argued that the 'sailing' ("I'm sailing right behind") was simply an extension of the water/bridge metaphor. I find it so brilliant to equate friendship and support to a bridge over troubled waters. And then they layer nuance, not only in the lyrics, but in the music itself. A beautiful metaphor!
I was young when this song was released. I cried the first time I heard the song both because of the sound of Art's voice and b/c of the lyrics. To this day whenever I hear the song I have to stop and listen to it. It still has the same effect. I have listened to covers but no one has done it better.
Might be repeating myself, but when I was 10 (1964) I took guitar lessons with my friend Lou Pearlman. His parents invited me over to dinner & told me to bring my guitar. When I arrived, Lou introduced me to his cousin Art Garfunkel. I had no idea who he was. Still have his autograph from that meeting. Lou went on to form NSYNC & The Backstreet Boys.
If I remember correctly, I once read that Paul Simon, perhaps still in his feud with Art Garfunkel, regretted that he had not sung the song on the album. If he had done so, the song would never have become the icon it is today. Paul Simon's voice has such limitations that the song would have been extremely dull. Amy talks about apparent lack of stress and I think that it is Garfunkel's voice that keeps it all together. He is so refined with small changes, in accents and timbre that the orchestra is only supporting him but is not essential, shown so clearly when he is only accompanied by the piano. I got goosebumps again although having heard the song at least a thousand times in my lifetime. Sad that the two personalities clashed to hard that this was their last album. The sum of the two was bigger than the individuals, like with Lennon & McCartney and so many other duos. Of course Simon became very successful on his own many years later but never reached the same emotional depths as he did with Garfunkel, at least according to me. Garfunkel became a middle of the road singer, his voice never soaring anymore in powerful intricate compositions that Simon was capable of.
Paul Simon was immediately successful as a solo artist. And Art G. never topped this song but who has? His voice was always one of the best in the business and he had many great recordings. This song is magic, though.
One of their best. I can't believe a pianist doesn't know this. Learn this, immediately. It sounds like music is similar to a story: development, climax and resolution.
I will always remember a live TV show shortly after the two Towers fell. Perhaps it was a fund raiser. New Yorker Paul Simon came on stage and performed this song. It was so powerful, so appropriate. Such a good reminder that no matter what, we are powerfully loved in a time of need.
I'd welcome some feedback on this, because, I love a wide range of music.... and I just cannot imagine ever having just ONE favourite piece of music ..... .....there's simply FAR too much fabulous, wonderful, spine tingling stuff out there to EVER say that ONE is my favourite... I wouldn't know where to start!! ....I could maybe come up with a top twenty of equally favourite tracks.....!?!? .....but, then, what about stuff I haven't yet heard..... !!?
One of maybe a dozen songs in my lifetime that has and still does send chills down my spine. A joy to get to watch someone with your appreciation for musical artistry get to listen to such fir the first time.
Looking back on this song over most of my lifetime, the album version sounds a bit fru-fru and overproduced. "More than words" by Extreme and "Break in" by Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee are a lot purer.
Paul Simon wrote the song as a two verse gospel style solo for Art, and while recognising it as special amongst his work, didn't see it as commercial enough for a single (preferring Cecelia). Art and the producer coerced him into writing a third verse which he did, uncharacteristically there in the studio. That gave Art the chance to shift up into top gear for the orchestral climax in the 3rd chorus and Paul to add harmonization to the newly composed verse, the only point at which he appears on his own greatest work.
It's difficult to think of a S&G song Amy wouldn't love. From the harsh rockin' Bob Dylan'ish "A Simple Desultory Philippic" to the ethereal romantic beauty of "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" to the melodramatic "Save the Life of my Child", they're all so artistically amazing.
While I agree with the inappropriateness of a bridge as an aid to someone who is sailing, this is not what the lyrics propose. They say, in effect, "Sail on, and if you need a friend, I am sailing right behind and LIKE a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind. The bridge metaphor does not relate to sailing, it relates to the way in which he will ease her mind.
Everyone loves this song because everyone needs this friend at one point or another.
The SAME friend? 🙄
One of the best pieces of music of the last century
No argument here.
I completely agree
Paul Simon said of the line "silver girl . . your time has come to shine" that his wife had been distressing over finding more and more gray hairs and he told her this. So personal and heartwarming a response to be elevated into a song such as this.
One of the most beautiful melodies ever written.
As soon as the song ended in my head the guittar started strumming "Cecilia", hehe.
Me too!
You're breaking my heart!!
@ You're shaking my confidence daily .....
Cecilia wasn't the second song on side one!!!
Still gives me goosebumps!!
You should see their live rendition of this song in the Concert in Central Park in 1981. You will be able to see how beautiful and skillful Art Garfunkel's voice really was.
Outstanding song. One of the most beautiful ever recorded. Art’s voice is a thing of beauty.
The last verse makes me tear up every time I hear it because I sang this song to my now-grown daughters when they were babies. And yes, I am always committed to them and will do my best to ease their way while allowing them to fly ❤ Beautiful song, wonderful analysis.
Paul Simon is amazing, he wanted the drums to have that distant crashing sound so he had the drummer play slightly down the hall in front of a bank of elevators with the doors open in front of the drum kit. Genius is all I can say. What a song, it'll never grow old
The whole album is outstanding.
Your reaction actually made me cry! 71 yr old gentleman here - I remember slow dancing to this song with a pretty girl! (2/1/25 - Northern California)
Now imagine driving along in 1970 and listening to the radio as I was at 16, having just gotten my driver's license. It didn't matter whether I was cruising around with friends or riding along with my parents, grandparents, or anyone else. It didn't mattet the musical tastes of whomever controlled he radio. Whether listening to a pop station, rock ststion, middle of road station, folk, R&B, or soul stations, you were going to hear this song played often! That's how loved and accepted this song was across all genres. That's a truly remarkable achievement in musical artistry.
In early 1971 Aretha Franklin's cover was released and we heard a lot of that one too. Truly amazing, peoples' universal love for this song.
I love your image of the cymbals as waves crashing below the bridge. I'll always hear it that way now 🙂.
The concert in Central Park version of this song is otherworldly. Art Garfunkel was incredible.
My favorite line of the song: "When evening falls SO HARD, I will comfort you."
Yeah, sometimes the end of the day just hits like that when you're going through a rough time.
Paul Simon has said that, when they were preparing the album for release, while he figured this was certainly a great album track, he never considered it a single. When the record label insisted it be a single, he thought they were nuts. However, the first time he heard the song come on the radio, he said the way the piano and Garfunkel's voice cut right through even a cheap car speaker, he knew it was going to be huge.
For me S&Gs Sound of Silence was their best song, but hey, I'm olde enough to remember it's release.
Larry Knechtel on the piano, this guy is a legend, he did session recording for MANY hits and artists, from The Beach Boys to Elvis, etc. check his bio, it's phenomenal...
And mostly unknown.
I’ve heard the name, probably on Leland Sklar’s channel. Gorgeous, emotive playing.
Larry was a great session player who performed on many excellent albums and singles (piano, bass, harmonica and guitar)... but then he became a member of the group, Bread, who had a very successful career with David Gates as their main singer/writer. Larry won a Grammy for his piano work on "Bridge Over Troubled Water", he also played the bass on The Doors first album and he played the lead guitar on Bread's classic song "The Guitar Man".
The world is filled with rivers of troubled waters that we must cross in life. Choose to be the bridge someone needs.
One of the greatest masterpieces of Rock music
This gives me shivers, even though I know it well. It's still worth listening to carefully.
This song is like a master class in building and releasing tension. It's practically a three-act story, which builds with each act, but each act in itself contains a series of rises and falls, starting with that gentle, sparkling piano and breathy, desperately restrained lyrics, all the way up to that massive belting, orchestral climax.
A magnificent classic, in every way - vocals, harmonies, instrumentation. You'd never want to change one note.
I first heard this song during a very difficult time in my life when I felt I had no support. It brought me a great deal of comfort and it still does. Music can have such a powerful effect in our lives and speak to us so viscerally. I know you are analysing it so expertly from a musical perspective but from an emotional point of view, for me at least, it is just incredibly emotional. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
Music can be so tremendously powerful, not only by its own beauty but also by the feelings and memories that it evokes from when you first heard it. This was released the year I graduated from high school, a troubled time then for many people. The song is part of the sound track of my life, as they say. Sometimes hearing it almost brings tears.... Thank you for sharing your reaction.
Calming, soothing and also, uplifting in the crescendo passages.
It’s both delicate and powerful.
Majestic
The pianist is Larry Knechtel, a studio musician from LA, a member of the famed 'Wrecking Crew', who played on practically every pop song during the 60's and 70's. Paul Simon wrote it, and Art Garfunkel takes the lead. Produced by Roy Halee who did an unbelievable job. Happy to say that all of these gentlemen are still with us, with the exception of Mr. Knechtel.
Seriously, this is one of THE greatest songs ever written and recorded -- any genre, any age. Just timeless on all counts.
Larry Knechtel played piano on this piece, a long-time member of the Wrecking Crew; he won a Grammy in 1970 for this performance. So many great musicians who are all but unknown; it is wonderful when one has a true showcase of their artistry. BTW, Paul Simon was told he needed a third verse to make the song long enough; he never felt the verse he added fit the rest of the song. So many works of art are "imperfect" to their creator - maybe all of them?
One of the most beautiful songs, in my mind. I played it for my mother's funeral, I know that's a somewhat macabre statement, but it was so lovely and uplifting. I loved how the cymbals felt like waves breaking, like a splash as you said, and Garfunkle's soaring, clarion tenor voice. Something so simple done so perfectly builds to something so dramatic and hopeful and full of, I dunno, glory?
This song can make you weep.
Simon and Garfunkel (and this song, although I love all of their music) were the soundtrack of my elementary school days. No other artist had such an impact on me back then, as these two did. I am so very blessed to have been born at the right time to hear and witness the amazing music these two made.
I don’t know if you meant to do it, but “Born at the Right Time” is a great song by Paul Simon on his album The Rhythm of the Saints. A great listen if you haven’t heard it.
This and I am "A Rock" got me through my troubled youth.
Paul Simon must have very strong jaw muscles -- the song is so sweet, I believe it immediately crystallizes into solid sugar the moment it leaves his throat. Yet he has the strength to chew through it. What an achievement!
Paul Simon is a genius , "Still crazy after all these years" is a gem too.
these guys arguably sound better today than they did 50 years ago and it blows my mind
because back 50 years ago there was great music all around to compare them too. Now 99% is r&b and formulaic pop crap
That's Larry Knechtel playing that piano and people should talk about him more than they do. He's responsible for a lot of recorded music we hear from this period and not just piano.
I knew he and david gates were members of the band bread but it was only much later when I learned that he played the piano on this one.
Art Garfunkel has the voice of an angel. I was fortunate to take my mother to see him in concert twice. The first time we were in the 2nd row, center stage and mom was truly mesmerized.
His voice has changed but I think he's singing with his son now
@@monsterhog1118 For sure his voice recently has lost a lot, but 20+ years ago, it was still spot on.
That song is MAJESTIC (majestuosa in my spanish language), and it is the only song I describe with that word. I´ve listened to BOTW about a million times, and every time I get goosebumps because of the beauty of it at all levels
Great reaction to an iconic Simon & Garfunkel songs. Always love when you return to them, since I know you really like them. I love the opening piano, with Art Garfunkel's beautiful voice. And like you I love how it slowly builds to the grand moment at the end. In the second part you do get to hear Paul Simon's voice, which I think you are used to hearing more of in your other reactions to them, including his harmonies, and certainly in Paul's one solo song you have heard (he has some great ones). Paul is the songwriting genius behind the duo, so I'm glad you paid attention to the beautiful lyrics. I agree, a very positive and uplifting song. Looking forward to you exploring more S&G, along with Paul's very successful solo career.
One of the greatest songs ever written. Larry Knechtel received a Grammy Award for this piano performance! He was a member of the Wrecking Crew, who playing in countless hits including The Beach Boys, Mamas & The Papas, Carpenters etc. the list is endless!! Larry was also the bass player for Bread 😉
My parents listened to this and I have loved it ever since and that was more than 50 years ago.
"Sail on" means that once she's gone over that bridge, she's free to move forward, she's no longer isolated and stuck in her pain.
What I noticed in this, my 1000th listening of this song, is the unique use of harmony. You’d think, as the song builds, that harmony would be part of the ending in a big way, but after Simon’s voice joins Garfunkel’s in the third verse, it drops out again for the final chorus and coda. It is the sound of a single person singing into the world, into the chasm, wrestling with the emotions. And what a good decision that was. It’s hard to think of any other pop vocal this great. Am I right that this was Art’s first take? I think I remember that, but I’m not sure.
if this song does not move your heart, you do not have one. Thx virgin, you are authentic
I grew up w/ this song....I recall it as a new tune. Still one of the most emotional songs in my life. When you need a song like this- this IS the go to song.
Aretha Franklin covered this. There's a live version with her playing piano on RUclips you gotta see, blew me away. Best cover.
Another great example of progressive layering. It’s so subtle in the accompaniment, but it does get slightly louder and percussive whilst remaining gentle and serene.
I always associate this song with being one of the few current songs that was played in church when I was a kid.
As everyone else has pointed out, this is truly a masterful piece by Simon & Garfunkel. If you are enjoying the folk-rock genre another artist that you must explore would be Seals & Crofts, and perhaps the song "Hummingbird" would be a good place to start with them.
My mom used to sing this song to me when I was a little baby back in the 60s
Masterpiece. So emotional ❤
Perfect dynamics for a magnificent songwriting.
It cannot be surpassed, but it can be referred to by multiple covers, infected by its immortality. To highlight the one produced in 2024 by Jacob Collier.
One of the most emotionally impactful songs of all time
Great video Amy , its hilarious you have never heard one of the most instantly recognizable songs of all time - what a joy for us to watch. MMMMM Mr Blue Sky next ? , go on Vlad , you know you want to !
Such a masterpiece. I used to say "No band will ever do work like that again." Then a band called "Extreme" did a duet accompanied only acoustic guitar called "More than words". And hit it out of the park. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel listened to that for the first time.
And I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Nuno Bettencourt and Gary Cherone of Extreme got to hear Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee perform "Break In".
Yeah....well worth remembering there's no such thing as ' best ever'......!!
"Break in" and "More than words" = major emotions
Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel with Andy Williams. Masterpiece
Yes - these three together and Andy visibly enjoying it. So beautiful.
Agree.
Your comment about a bridge fitting in a lyric with sailing is so spot on and funny. Yup, these guys did not know much about sailing. For a sailor a bridge is a concern, not something tou think of as helpful usually.😉
That line was introduced the morning his wife found her first gray hair.
The simultaneous build and release of tension is so apropos, with the subject of the song being a source of calm in the storms of life. It reminds me of scriptures about finding peace through trials, such as this one: Ps. 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
Really hard to believe that anyone who has been trained in music, particularly classical music, hasn’t heard this song at least once in their lifetime.
But I’ll take your word for it. 😉
Oh, please! .... you cannot even begin to comprehend how OLD this argument is ....
.....you either believe Amy is honest and genuine .....or, you're a fool who should take a good look at yourself......!
.....the tendency to disbelieve people with zero evidence generally doesn't turn out well......!!
My initial reaction too. I know, thanks to the internet, people in Europe know this song. And how many times have we heard it ourselves? All the same. I bought in to the first listen. It can happen. There are countless popular TV shows which I have never seen a single episode. Pleased you were pleased with this tune, Amy.
@@michaelfrank2266Thanks to the internet? For fuck sake, I'm Portuguese (Portugal is in Europe for you Americans) and I love this song since before the internet was even a thing (the internet only become available to civilians in 1992). I don't know what the hell you speaking about, the internet is amazing, but before that we don't actually lived in the dark ages for centuries
@@almahperditae You completely misunderstood me. Congratulations. "Thanks to the internet," is how I would know someone like you would have heard of this song. "Thanks to the internet," I now know you personally know this song too. I also can name and locate nearly every country in Europe. You're trashing the wrong American dude.
@@michaelfrank2266 oh... My bad lol I can't even use the "English is not my first language" because I genuinely misunderstood what you said, and you use the commas in the right way even. It was all me. I really don't understand what you said. Sorry about that
It was the song that was Number 1 in the UK when I was born.
A great blend of that gospel type chord progression, Art's great vocals, and the lyrics. One of my fave songs, just powerful and moving!
Paul and art went to Las Vegas to hear Elvis sing this song. When Elvis was done art turned to anyone would listen “now what do we do now?”
My favorite S&G song :)
Larry Knechtel played the piano
Joe Osborn, who was a member of The Wrecking Crew played the bass
It could be argued that the 'sailing' ("I'm sailing right behind") was simply an extension of the water/bridge metaphor. I find it so brilliant to equate friendship and support to a bridge over troubled waters. And then they layer nuance, not only in the lyrics, but in the music itself. A beautiful metaphor!
The Boxer, Homeward Bound, are also cool! Let's not forget, the Theme Song of Watership down (Bright Eyes)!
Was really happy when I saw that you did a reaction to this. One of the most beautiful songs ever :)
Thank you for your impressions! 🎶
I was young when this song was released. I cried the first time I heard the song both because of the sound of Art's voice and b/c of the lyrics. To this day whenever I hear the song I have to stop and listen to it. It still has the same effect. I have listened to covers but no one has done it better.
I cried again today
Same!
Ditto!
Art Garfunkel’s greatest performance. Fun fact: he originally told Paul Simon he didn’t want to do the song. Wasn’t feeling it.
Might be repeating myself, but when I was 10 (1964) I took guitar lessons with my friend Lou Pearlman. His parents invited me over to dinner & told me to bring my guitar. When I arrived, Lou introduced me to his cousin Art Garfunkel. I had no idea who he was. Still have his autograph from that meeting. Lou went on to form NSYNC & The Backstreet Boys.
Likke WOW.
Beautiful song, really narked by the best vocal performance I know of, perhaps with the exception of Jeff Buckley's cover of Hallelujah.
How can you be alive and not heard this?
If I remember correctly, I once read that Paul Simon, perhaps still in his feud with Art Garfunkel, regretted that he had not sung the song on the album. If he had done so, the song would never have become the icon it is today. Paul Simon's voice has such limitations that the song would have been extremely dull. Amy talks about apparent lack of stress and I think that it is Garfunkel's voice that keeps it all together. He is so refined with small changes, in accents and timbre that the orchestra is only supporting him but is not essential, shown so clearly when he is only accompanied by the piano. I got goosebumps again although having heard the song at least a thousand times in my lifetime.
Sad that the two personalities clashed to hard that this was their last album. The sum of the two was bigger than the individuals, like with Lennon & McCartney and so many other duos. Of course Simon became very successful on his own many years later but never reached the same emotional depths as he did with Garfunkel, at least according to me. Garfunkel became a middle of the road singer, his voice never soaring anymore in powerful intricate compositions that Simon was capable of.
Paul Simon was immediately successful as a solo artist. And Art G. never topped this song but who has? His voice was always one of the best in the business and he had many great recordings. This song is magic, though.
One of their best. I can't believe a pianist doesn't know this. Learn this, immediately. It sounds like music is similar to a story: development, climax and resolution.
My sister and I took piano lessons from our mom. We both had to learn this song!
I will always remember a live TV show shortly after the two Towers fell. Perhaps it was a fund raiser. New Yorker Paul Simon came on stage and performed this song. It was so powerful, so appropriate. Such a good reminder that no matter what, we are powerfully loved in a time of need.
I'm more likely to think of _The Sound of Silence_ as their signature song...
My favorite song of all time in my life of 66 years.
I'd welcome some feedback on this, because, I love a wide range of music.... and I just cannot imagine ever having just ONE favourite piece of music .....
.....there's simply FAR too much fabulous, wonderful, spine tingling stuff out there to EVER say that ONE is my favourite... I wouldn't know where to start!!
....I could maybe come up with a top twenty of equally favourite tracks.....!?!?
.....but, then, what about stuff I haven't yet heard..... !!?
Btw ....I'M also 66.....!!!
I love this song
One of maybe a dozen songs in my lifetime that has and still does send chills down my spine. A joy to get to watch someone with your appreciation for musical artistry get to listen to such fir the first time.
Another great and well deserved analysis of a great classic, thanks Amy!
Another wonderful analysis....Thank You Miss
The drum/cymbal transition also calls back to the lyrics; it's the crashing troubled water
Looking back on this song over most of my lifetime, the album version sounds a bit fru-fru and overproduced. "More than words" by Extreme and "Break in" by Lzzy Hale and Amy Lee are a lot purer.
On the original studio recording, Larry Knechtel played the piano. He was a session musician who later joined the band Bread.
I would still call Sound of Silence their signature song.
Beautiful piece of music accompanying moving lyrics
Paul Simon wrote the song as a two verse gospel style solo for Art, and while recognising it as special amongst his work, didn't see it as commercial enough for a single (preferring Cecelia). Art and the producer coerced him into writing a third verse which he did, uncharacteristically there in the studio. That gave Art the chance to shift up into top gear for the orchestral climax in the 3rd chorus and Paul to add harmonization to the newly composed verse, the only point at which he appears on his own greatest work.
Wonderful song.
Thank you Amy.
Its such a pleasure to listen to intelligent people who have both insight and passion for music in all its aspects.
Nobody beats Art Garfunkel's vocals on any covers of this song that I have come across. Granted, I'm sure I haven't heard all of them.
Heard Elvis’ version?
I would have liked to hear her sight read the sheet music for that song and THEN LISTEN for the first time. That would be interesting!😉
Love defined
One of the most perfectly conceived songs ever recorded.
Please stick "El Condor Pasa" on the list. You will love. I am sure Vlad will vouch for this. 😎
Thanks, From Belfast. N.I. ☘️
It's difficult to think of a S&G song Amy wouldn't love. From the harsh rockin' Bob Dylan'ish "A Simple Desultory Philippic" to the ethereal romantic beauty of "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" to the melodramatic "Save the Life of my Child", they're all so artistically amazing.
Very emotionally moving song. It is meant to be a comforting song. The live Elvis cover from Las Vegas is a must listen also.
Great review! I was so excited when I saw you were doing this one. Thanks😊
While I agree with the inappropriateness of a bridge as an aid to someone who is sailing, this is not what the lyrics propose. They say, in effect, "Sail on, and if you need a friend, I am sailing right behind and LIKE a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind. The bridge metaphor does not relate to sailing, it relates to the way in which he will ease her mind.
I believe Simon wrote this more as a rock-gospel song. Art convinced him to make it more like a ballad.