Art, like Steve Perry, Neil Sedaka and Smokey Robinson are one of only a handful of 'modern' singers we know who have a vocal range called Tenor Altino. Very rare and spectacular.
My mother asked me to sing this at her funeral. I told her I would not be able to without crying. So I sang it to her on her deathbed even tho we did not know if she could still hear me. And as I finished she squeezed my hand to let me know she had and died almost immediately. I can understand why it was her fave. It truly brings comfort in any situation. ❤
Oh, Honey - that was a beautiful thing you did - and, I'm sure your Mother knows that, TOO!! Your comment SO TEARED-ME-UP!! HUGS to YOU and your MAMA in Heaven!!
I'm so sorry. Bless your mom. My brother and me were with my mom's passing Oct 16. Just buried her son, my brother 2 days ago, he passed on his 72 birthday Nov. 6. He served in the navy for 23 years. Missing you already mike.
I know very little about Simon and Garfunkel's earlier times but everything I've ever seen of Paul Simon makes me think the music is in his head and he "chose," Garfunkel because he had the ability to express the vision of his songs...I honestly don't know I have seen Garfunkel in concert he was spellbinding!
2 jewish boys from NYC taking you to church. Gotta love music. Garfunkel does most of the singing. Voice of an angel. Paul wrote this when he was 20. He plays the guitar. Simon wrote their music. (he's the little guy)
This song won five Grammy Awards including the 1971 Song of the Year, and was ranked #48 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Silver girl" (starting the last verse) is Paul's first wife Peggy Harper. Paul related that she was feeling down, having at age 30 found her first grey hairs, and Paul started calling her his silver girl. Paul was telling her that her best days were yet to come. Imagine being immortalized in an epic song like this!
Yes, this is the one Art Garfunkel will always be remembered for, deservedly so. There is a UA-cam video of Art performing this song at a live concert. He sings the better part of the song so completely relaxed, standing in front of the mic with his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. Amazing performance!!!
It's so hard to realize that there are people who have genuinely never heard some of these songs that have been in our bones for decades. But just as gratifying to see the appreciation and respect you have for them once you hear them. Keep going guys. It's the journey, not the destination.
@ Don’t be too harsh. Access to older generations music isn’t the same as when we heard our parents music from their album collections. Albums don’t exist anymore and radio stations (if anyone even listens to radio anymore) rarely play our music. Corporate media dictates what gets played and what is left behind. It takes effort like these you tube channels to keep some music alive.
Completely agree! It’s wild to think there are people who’ve never heard this song. But that’s why we love reaction videos-it starts with disbelief (“What? Who doesn’t know Simon & Garfunkel?”), then turns into pure joy as we watch someone experience and appreciate something so timeless for the first time. Honestly, I can’t even compare their reaction to my own because this song has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
We played this for my Mom as she was passing away on her 90th birthday. She was a musician all her life, part of our family income came from her, playing the piano in a dance band every Saturday night. And she absolutely loved the piano in this song and played it as well. ‘Sail on silver girl…’
Awww...thnx for sharing this. I'm betting music in your house always .... and her humming. It's hard to lose our moms. They visit us tho in many ways. May your Christmas be Merry and Bright. ❤
The tall guy is the angelic Art Garfunkel. He’s sings and harmonizes. Paul Simon is the shorter guy. He sings great and he writes all the songs. They were fabulous together. When they broke up, Paul Simon went on to be one of the best singers/ songwriters in America.
I love it that you described Art Garfunkel’s voice as ‘like a cloud.’ Both of you are beautiful for opening your hearts to a song like this. I hope you keep finding gifts in unexpected places and that you’ll keep in digging. Peace
Simon wrote it and added harmonies on the last verse, Art sang lead, and Larry Knechtel (the Wrecking Crew studio band) did the piano arrangement and performance.
I'm amazed that there are people, especially people in the US, who don't know who Simon and Garfunkel are, or who haven't heard this song before! Simon and Garfunkel are among the all-time greats and for good reason! :)
What you're feeling we were living; the 60s, I believe we're the greatest times to be young and alive. A penny was money, girls were girls, and Mom and Dad were no joke!
This was ART singing. He had a velvet voice! His solo album "Break Away" shows even more his talent since styles other than those written by Paul Simon get explored. "I only have eyes for you" was one of my favorites.
Superlative talents, Paul Simon's writing, Art Garfunkel's beautiful voice and their harmonies. On this recording that is gospel pianist Larry Knechtel. One of my favorite songs of theirs is The Boxer, such emotive lyrics.
Larry Knechtel gospel??? Since when? Knechtel was anything but a gospel pianist. He was a multi-instrumentalist who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s band Bread.
Paul Simon writes and does all of the arrangements, orchestration planning, etc and both he and Art do the singing. According to sources, Paul spent a night writing this and before recording it said I wrote it but Art has to sing it, it is for Art. They have had a well-publicised, tumultuous relationship over the decades but when Paul was once asked why he stuck with the partnership at the time even though it was contentious, Paul said 'have you heard him sing?' This is just one of their many classics. Paul had a stellar solo career and branched out many different genres and made many groups famous such as Ladysmith Black Mombazo from South Africa. You might want to check his solo career out as well. Thanks for sharing.
I read somewhere that Garfunkel didn't want to sing it, either because he wasn't feeling it or that he thought it was Simon's song, and he should sing it. Luckily Simon convinced him to do it.
I read recently they had dinner together and bridged (pun intended) that gap. They were childhood pals too and they're getting on in yrs. Me too. I prefer just love in my heart and I plan to literally die laughing. 😅
This is one of the first songs I heard from Simon and Garfunkel, they were huge in the late 60's and early 70's. I was very young. This is Art Garfunkel's very best, he has a very angelic voice. Both are great talents.
Art Garfunkel the tall guy was the singer who sounds like an angel. Simon wrote the music and lyrics. Paulis a genius. He is as great a lyricist as Dylan.
Both of them sang...their voices blended perfectly for those magic harmonies. Paul wrote most of their material, including this song, which he gave to Artie to sing. Artie had the angelic soprano voice, while Paul's voice was more unique and different, perfect for their sharper message songs. Paul is a lyrical genius.
Art's voice is truly angelic. 😇 (Although I can't unseen the "Cossack moustache" of Simon's hair when you hide Simon's face with your finger now and can't stop giggling.)
A gorgeous song by Simon & Garfunkel. Arts beautiful voice and Pauls writing genius. That’s Arts Garfunkel’s gorgeous voice. Larry Knechtel played the piano on Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's song "Bridge Over Troubled Water": Simon wanted the song to have a gospel feel, so he hired Knechtel, a session musician from Los Angeles, to work with Garfunkel on the first verse. Simon was impressed with Knechtel's interpretation and asked him to play a third verse, which Simon then wrote lyrics for. Knechtel shared a Grammy with Simon, Garfunkel, Jimmie Haskell, and Ernie Freeman for Best Arrangement of the Year. Larry was a session musician with The Wrecking Crew…The Carpenters also used musicians from The Wrecking Crew. ❤❤ ❤❤
The keyboard player is Larry Knechtel, an incredibly talented man who also played bass who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s band Bread.
Garfunkel is the angelic voice you are hearing right now. There are live performances for this song, Sounds of Silence, Scarborough Fair, etc .... definitely worth a watch. No question sings these songs! ❤️
Paul Simon writer. Do Elvis in concert live version of this song. Haunting rendition. Paul Simon loved it. Receipts: Hollywood Reporter, Rona Barrett Hollywood, Elvis Box Sets interviews where Simon hails Elvis version.
Such a beautiful song. The piano almost has a gospel presence to it. Listen to the live version from The Concert in the Park 1981, Central Park, NYC.... That entire concert is iconic. Just amazing.
My father-in-law died 9 years ago. He was an amazing man. He was the father of 7, worked two jobs, was God fearing and was a bridge over troubled for many people…. Family and strangers alike. He once invited a homeless man to our Thanks giving dinner. On both nights of his wake I heard this song on the radio on my way to it. I probably hadn’t heard the song on the radio in 15-20. It freaked me out. I announced that to his family and friends at the wake. My mom died 2 months later and she was also a bridge over troubled water for many as well…. That was Art Garfunkel singing lead on this classic song.
Simon joins in on the harmony in this, I believe. Interesting note : Paul Simon (the short one) was married to Carrie Fisher, the original Princess Leia from Star Wars
This is Art Garfunkel singing lead. Paul Simon went on to have a stellar solo career. Perhaps, for a deeper dive on Simon you should check out "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "Graceland", or "You Can Call Me Al".
Simon is the genius - wrote everything they did - lyrics and music. Art is the angelic voice, usually in great harmony with Paul but in this particular song - it's all him singing. Some say that fact and the success of this particular song was what started the jealousy between them and eventually the breakup. Thank you for reacting to the best song of all time !
From a geezer fan, as studio pros and writers you guys should know/appreciate the backstory. They usually sang together, amazing harmonies. This one Simon wrote but wasn't feeling. Garfunkel and the engineer knew it was gold. Simon told Art to sing it himself cause he liked his interpretation. Simon still wasn't into it. Said it was slow, too moody, could never be a hit. Said he didn't "get it" til a few years later hearing it in a car on the radio and went, "holy shit, now I know what everyone is talking about!" lol. To me it's a great lesson on how we really can get up our own asses when creating. Lucky he had some friends with talent who said, yo, go get some burritos and snapples, bitch, we got this. (btw true story, I was more than once kicked out of the studio and told to pick up burritos for everyone...usually so they could tune my drums and talk shit behind my back about me neglecting my drums). Rock on! peace
I still remember hearing this for the first time, when it first came out in 1970. I was in Biba, a large, fashionable London boutique, filled with young shoppers and cool trendy salesgirls. Music played loudly in the background, all the latest and greatest music of the times... . But when those opening bars of Bridge Over Troubled Water started up it was as if time stopped and the whole place paused for a moment to listen. Such is the power of music. Other tracks from S&G you guys should definitely listen to, if you haven't already, are The Boxer (big production, small but perfectly formed lyrics) and Scarborough Fair/ Canticle (an old English folk song blended with an anti-war song). I also love Homeward Bound (about life for a touring musical act in the 1960s) and America (about a road trip across the US), which are more in their simpler, early folk/ acoustic style. A couple of later solo songs you might like from Paul Simon's acclaimed Graceland album are The Boy in the Bubble (about the mildly dystopian 'miracles and wonders' of modern life) and Under African Skies (a tribute to the roots of music), but every song on this album is great. Then there's Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover (semi-comic ditty about one significant relationship ending and another one beginning - perhaps). But, really, there's no end to the musical and lyrical riches these guys blessed us with.
What hits is that he means it. It's earnest. It's heartfelt. It's not sarcastic or nod and a wink or being flip. It's not judgemental. It's an offer of comfort and friendship. To have someone say something like this to you, it can't help but hit hard.
On the album cover, Simon's hair is Garfunkel's moustache. Now you'll never un-see it. Paul Simon wrote all the songs. Art Garfunkel's high clear voice made them magic. Almost all of their concerts were just Paul strumming an acoustic guitar and singing backup, with Art on lead vocals. That's all they needed.
Even though Simon and Garfunkel are Jewish...they were stuck on lyrics and inspired by a 1959 Gospel song which itself was inspired by Mary Why do You Weep and the 1700s song by Bach "O Scared Head Now Wounded" both referring to Mary staring at Her Son Jesus after he passed away but before he was taken down off the Cross...It's about either The Holy Spirit, A Good Samaritan, or a just a lifelong friend who is always there to lift you up at the deepest depths of your life....you are never alone. This song has been an inspirtaion for Homeless people on the streets, for recovering addicts, or people contemplating ending their own lives ever since- this won FIVE grammys- including album and song of the year at the 1971 Awards
Love this song, matter of fact love this whole album!!❤❤ My parents had this on vinyl, I remember we listened so much we had to use masking tape around the edges to hold the cover together. That cover has the lyrics to all of the songs on the album on the back of it. Glad you loved the song! Thanks BP and Krizz!!❤❤
Larry Knitchel is the piano player, since Paul Simon wrote it on guitar, Larry wrote the piano part & won a Grammy in 1971. This single & album won 5 Grammys. This is Art Garfunkel singing, Paul comes in on harmony in the 3rd verse. Paul Simon wrote this for Art's voice. They both sung most of the songs. Their harmonies are legendary. They started singing together at 13 years old. They had their 1st hit record at 16 years old. Art is the high tenor, Paul's voice is good but doesn't match Art. You should check out their Concert in Central Park in 1981. Art sings this solo. They were about to turn 40 years old then. That whole concert is fantastic, there was 500,000 people in atendance.October 2024 Paul turned 83 years old & Art turned 83 in November 2024.
4:23 Listen closely to the bass here . This takes me back . Wayyy back . I listened to this album and a couple others of these two when i was a child sooo many times .
1st song I ever learnt. In primary school choir and still remember every word, over 40 years later. Same with Barbara Streisand song memory from Cats. For a great voice and piano accompaniment listen to Jack savoretti live version of Breaking the Rules, he's an amazing singer ❤
That is art Garfunkel singing lead. He has the voice of an angel.
Paul Simon wrote this specifically for Garfunkel's voice as far as I know.
Art, like Steve Perry, Neil Sedaka and Smokey Robinson are one of only a handful of 'modern' singers we know who have a vocal range called Tenor Altino. Very rare and spectacular.
@@paulwaring5290
I mean, technically he wrote all of those songs for Garfunkel's voice.
@@elbruces I remember an interview with Paul Simon and he said that as he wrote it he was hearing Art's voice in his head, specifically.
My mother asked me to sing this at her funeral. I told her I would not be able to without crying. So I sang it to her on her deathbed even tho we did not know if she could still hear me. And as I finished she squeezed my hand to let me know she had and died almost immediately. I can understand why it was her fave. It truly brings comfort in any situation. ❤
Oh, Honey - that was a beautiful thing you did - and, I'm sure your Mother knows that, TOO!! Your comment SO TEARED-ME-UP!! HUGS to YOU and your MAMA in Heaven!!
@Jude_196 Thank you so much! Hugs back.
That was so sweet. I'm sorry for your loss 😢
God bless you.
I'm so sorry. Bless your mom. My brother and me were with my mom's passing Oct 16. Just buried her son, my brother 2 days ago, he passed on his 72 birthday Nov. 6. He served in the navy for 23 years. Missing you already mike.
A quote from Paul Simon: “Without Arthur’s voice, I never would have enjoyed that success.”
Nicely said. Without his songs Arthur wouldn’t be as popular.
Art Garfunkel's "All I Know" is a masterpiece too.
They both are so talented!
I know very little about Simon and Garfunkel's earlier times but everything I've ever seen of Paul Simon makes me think the music is in his head and he "chose," Garfunkel because he had the ability to express the vision of his songs...I honestly don't know I have seen Garfunkel in concert he was spellbinding!
I watched Art preform this in San Bernardino 13-14 years ago.
Written by Paul Simon, the vocal performance by Art Garfunkel was probably the pinnacle of his career.
I love Garfunkel's album Angel Clair
I still love and listen to Garfunkels, Bright Eyes. A massive hit in the UK
@janetsilverhawk7204 Me too. I've owned it forever. Favorite songs are Barbara Allen and All I Know.❤❤
@@richardrichard9631 I remember this in, I think, an animated Bambi movie.
@jimreadey4837 yes. I remember going to see it.
2 jewish boys from NYC taking you to church. Gotta love music. Garfunkel does most of the singing. Voice of an angel. Paul wrote this when he was 20. He plays the guitar. Simon wrote their music. (he's the little guy)
AMEN
As Paul Simon himself once said: "This is closer to gospel than two jewish kids from Queens should ever be allowed to get".
Yes…they’re from Queens…I’m from Staten Island. Two NY boys! ❤❤
Yeah, that angelic solo voice is Art Garfunkel. And this one still gives me chills more than 50 years later.
This song won five Grammy Awards including the 1971 Song of the Year, and was ranked #48 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Silver girl" (starting the last verse) is Paul's first wife Peggy Harper. Paul related that she was feeling down, having at age 30 found her first grey hairs, and Paul started calling her his silver girl. Paul was telling her that her best days were yet to come. Imagine being immortalized in an epic song like this!
I'm 74 and listened to this thousands of times and always wondered about "Silver Girl" you've made my day thanks so much for the comment!!
Yes, this is the one Art Garfunkel will always be remembered for, deservedly so. There is a UA-cam video of Art performing this song at a live concert. He sings the better part of the song so completely relaxed, standing in front of the mic with his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. Amazing performance!!!
That was their reunion concert in Central Park in the early 1980s.
It's so hard to realize that there are people who have genuinely never heard some of these songs that have been in our bones for decades. But just as gratifying to see the appreciation and respect you have for them once you hear them. Keep going guys. It's the journey, not the destination.
What's the matter with this generation, didn't you every listen to your parents or grandparents music, where have you been🤔
@ Don’t be too harsh. Access to older generations music isn’t the same as when we heard our parents music from their album collections. Albums don’t exist anymore and radio stations (if anyone even listens to radio anymore) rarely play our music. Corporate media dictates what gets played and what is left behind. It takes effort like these you tube channels to keep some music alive.
Completely agree! It’s wild to think there are people who’ve never heard this song. But that’s why we love reaction videos-it starts with disbelief (“What? Who doesn’t know Simon & Garfunkel?”), then turns into pure joy as we watch someone experience and appreciate something so timeless for the first time. Honestly, I can’t even compare their reaction to my own because this song has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Their performance of this song live in Central Park is a must see and listen!
We played this for my Mom as she was passing away on her 90th birthday. She was a musician all her life, part of our family income came from her, playing the piano in a dance band every Saturday night. And she absolutely loved the piano in this song and played it as well. ‘Sail on silver girl…’
❤❤❤❤❤
Awww...thnx for sharing this. I'm betting music in your house always .... and her humming.
It's hard to lose our moms.
They visit us tho in many ways.
May your Christmas be Merry and Bright.
❤
@@juliecrane9647 thank you so much. Merry Christmas. ❤️
The tall guy is the angelic Art Garfunkel. He’s sings and harmonizes. Paul Simon is the shorter guy. He sings great and he writes all the songs. They were fabulous together. When they broke up, Paul Simon went on to be one of the best singers/ songwriters in America.
Most beautiful song ever. No 1 forever
NUMBER 1 IN 1970
Song of the year and Album of the year when it came out. Just as impactful today as it was 50 years ago.
Garfunkel has the voice of an angel
I love it that you described Art Garfunkel’s voice as ‘like a cloud.’
Both of you are beautiful for opening your hearts to a song like this.
I hope you keep finding gifts in unexpected places and that you’ll keep in digging.
Peace
Simon wrote it and added harmonies on the last verse, Art sang lead, and Larry Knechtel (the Wrecking Crew studio band) did the piano arrangement and performance.
Wrecking crew studio musicians helped on many iconic songs!
Yes it's Art Garfunkel singing this particular song. The live version is even better
I agree the central park live is fantastic it gives me goosebumps. Art stood there hands in pockets WOW brilliant ❤
The live performance is stunning for being live, but there is a lot in the studio version that could not be replicated there.
Agree the Central Park 👍
Respectfully disagree, i think the studio version is perfection. IMHO
The live version is definitely _not_ better. 😆
Everybody likes this song. It was the biggest selling single of 1970!😮😊
It was #1 the week I was born
The tall guy with the voice of an angel is Art Garfunkel. The short guy with the writing ability of Shakespeare is Paul Simon. Now do The Boxer by S&G
The Boxer may be their best piece. There are SO MANY greats, but I think that one's my favorite.
Garfunkel was singing and Simon kicked in. Together they're beautiful 💙
I'm amazed that there are people, especially people in the US, who don't know who Simon and Garfunkel are, or who haven't heard this song before! Simon and Garfunkel are among the all-time greats and for good reason! :)
What you're feeling we were living; the 60s, I believe we're the greatest times to be young and alive. A penny was money, girls were girls, and Mom and Dad were no joke!
This song is 70s..entered the top 40 in February 1970 and hit number 1 end of February 1970.
Not for everyone. 😕
This was ART singing. He had a velvet voice! His solo album "Break Away" shows even more his talent since styles other than those written by Paul Simon get explored. "I only have eyes for you" was one of my favorites.
Rolling Stone magazine called this a perfectly recorded masterpiece. ❤
This song always makes me cry 😢 It just oozes so much emotion that I get goosebumps every time
I sing this in my head when I'm having my blood pressure checked to calm myself down, lol.
Superlative talents, Paul Simon's writing, Art Garfunkel's beautiful voice and their harmonies. On this recording that is gospel pianist Larry Knechtel.
One of my favorite songs of theirs is The Boxer, such emotive lyrics.
Larry Knechtel gospel??? Since when?
Knechtel was anything but a gospel pianist. He was a multi-instrumentalist who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s band Bread.
Knechtel won a Grammy for the piano work on this song
Art is the tall one, Simon the shorter and main writer of all the hits and went on to have a legit solo career.
Art Garfunkle sang and Simon wrote this one.❤
One of my favorites is "The Dangling Conversation." Poetry set to music!
Most beautiful song ever made ❤
Almost, I'd say the best secular song ever written.
Paul Simon writes and does all of the arrangements, orchestration planning, etc and both he and Art do the singing.
According to sources, Paul spent a night writing this and before recording it said I wrote it but Art has to sing it, it is for Art.
They have had a well-publicised, tumultuous relationship over the decades but when Paul was once asked why he stuck with the partnership at the time even though it was contentious, Paul said 'have you heard him sing?'
This is just one of their many classics.
Paul had a stellar solo career and branched out many different genres and made many groups famous such as Ladysmith Black Mombazo from South Africa. You might want to check his solo career out as well.
Thanks for sharing.
I read somewhere that Garfunkel didn't want to sing it, either because he wasn't feeling it or that he thought it was Simon's song, and he should sing it. Luckily Simon convinced him to do it.
I read recently they had dinner together and bridged (pun intended) that gap.
They were childhood pals too and they're getting on in yrs.
Me too. I prefer just love in my heart and I plan to literally die laughing. 😅
This is one of the first songs I heard from Simon and Garfunkel, they were huge in the late 60's and early 70's. I was very young. This is Art Garfunkel's very best, he has a very angelic voice. Both are great talents.
Garfunkel is singing this song. He does the harmonies on most of their songs. Paul Simon is the songwriter and also sings.
Art Garfunkel the tall guy was the singer who sounds like an angel. Simon wrote the music and lyrics. Paulis a genius. He is as great a lyricist as Dylan.
Simon's album "Graceland" is something you should know about.
Most definately!!!!!
Abso-bloody-lutely!! ❤️❤️❤️
Both of them sang...their voices blended perfectly for those magic harmonies. Paul wrote most of their material, including this song, which he gave to Artie to sing. Artie had the angelic soprano voice, while Paul's voice was more unique and different, perfect for their sharper message songs. Paul is a lyrical genius.
All I Know is another stellar Art Garfunkel song.
Art's voice is truly angelic. 😇
(Although I can't unseen the "Cossack moustache" of Simon's hair when you hide Simon's face with your finger now and can't stop giggling.)
😂😂
A gorgeous song by Simon & Garfunkel. Arts beautiful voice and Pauls writing genius.
That’s Arts Garfunkel’s gorgeous voice.
Larry Knechtel played the piano on Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's song "Bridge Over Troubled Water":
Simon wanted the song to have a gospel feel, so he hired Knechtel, a session musician from Los Angeles, to work with Garfunkel on the first verse. Simon was impressed with Knechtel's interpretation and asked him to play a third verse, which Simon then wrote lyrics for. Knechtel shared a Grammy with Simon, Garfunkel, Jimmie Haskell, and Ernie Freeman for Best Arrangement of the Year.
Larry was a session musician with The Wrecking Crew…The Carpenters also used musicians from The Wrecking Crew. ❤❤
❤❤
I graduated in 1973 and this song was our class song. Love, love this song.
Awwwww how nice. We had police. I was like what the heck? Police. That's why the most popular had too much power in school.
One of the best songs of the twentieth century!
"I am a Rock", is a good one too Pegasus!
The keyboard player is Larry Knechtel, an incredibly talented man who also played bass who was a member of the Wrecking Crew, a collection of Los Angeles-based session musicians who worked with such renowned artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, the Beach Boys, the Mamas & the Papas, the Monkees, the Partridge Family, Billy Joel, the Doors, the Byrds, the Grass Roots, Jerry Garcia, and Elvis Presley. He also was a member of the 1970s band Bread.
This is ALL Art Garfunkel and that Angelic voice here.
Agree❤
Every time I hear it I cry
I cannot listen to this song without crying. Beautiful.
Garfunkel is the angelic voice you are hearing right now. There are live performances for this song, Sounds of Silence, Scarborough Fair, etc .... definitely worth a watch. No question sings these songs! ❤️
Paul Simon writer. Do Elvis in concert live version of this song. Haunting rendition.
Paul Simon loved it. Receipts: Hollywood Reporter, Rona Barrett Hollywood, Elvis Box Sets interviews where Simon hails Elvis version.
Hope, hope, hope you listen to Elvis' live version recommended here. It's just... ❤❤❤
Such a beautiful song. The piano almost has a gospel presence to it. Listen to the live version from The Concert in the Park 1981, Central Park, NYC.... That entire concert is iconic. Just amazing.
In and interview Simon was ask:
"Why did you choose Garfunkel"
He answered: Have you heard an angel singing
My father-in-law died 9 years ago. He was an amazing man. He was the father of 7, worked two jobs, was God fearing and was a bridge over troubled for many people…. Family and strangers alike. He once invited a homeless man to our Thanks giving dinner. On both nights of his wake I heard this song on the radio on my way to it. I probably hadn’t heard the song on the radio in 15-20. It freaked me out. I announced that to his family and friends at the wake. My mom died 2 months later and she was also a bridge over troubled water for many as well…. That was Art Garfunkel singing lead on this classic song.
Simon joins in on the harmony in this, I believe. Interesting note : Paul Simon (the short one) was married to Carrie Fisher, the original Princess Leia from Star Wars
This is Art Garfunkel singing lead. Paul Simon went on to have a stellar solo career. Perhaps, for a deeper dive on Simon you should check out "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", "Graceland", or "You Can Call Me Al".
50 ways to leave your lover!
Simon is the genius - wrote everything they did - lyrics and music. Art is the angelic voice, usually in great harmony with Paul but in this particular song - it's all him singing. Some say that fact and the success of this particular song was what started the jealousy between them and eventually the breakup. Thank you for reacting to the best song of all time !
You should really watch the Simon & Garfunkel live appearance at Madison Square Garden. Then you would have no more questions.
54 years later this sounds even better now that when I bought the album in 1970...a 100% classic hit. 👍🤗
Garfunkel IS the voice.
I saw this performed by Elvis Presley in concert. One of the great songs of that era. Master Piece.
Garfunkel I believe is the main singer, Paul the main writer....both sings!
I'm just days away from being 64 years old, I've listened to this song hundreds of times over the decades, I still get goosebumps every time
The most beautiful song in the world.
From a geezer fan, as studio pros and writers you guys should know/appreciate the backstory. They usually sang together, amazing harmonies. This one Simon wrote but wasn't feeling. Garfunkel and the engineer knew it was gold. Simon told Art to sing it himself cause he liked his interpretation. Simon still wasn't into it. Said it was slow, too moody, could never be a hit. Said he didn't "get it" til a few years later hearing it in a car on the radio and went, "holy shit, now I know what everyone is talking about!" lol. To me it's a great lesson on how we really can get up our own asses when creating. Lucky he had some friends with talent who said, yo, go get some burritos and snapples, bitch, we got this. (btw true story, I was more than once kicked out of the studio and told to pick up burritos for everyone...usually so they could tune my drums and talk shit behind my back about me neglecting my drums). Rock on! peace
these lyrics.. they are the best.. my song for my son..I" will lay me down..like a bridge over troubled waters.."
That’s one of my favorite songs of all time beautiful. Paul Simon lyrics Garfunkel the voice
And Paul can play many instruments. Idk if he played any in this song. ? I would assume he played/ and sang in some parts.
I still remember hearing this for the first time, when it first came out in 1970. I was in Biba, a large, fashionable London boutique, filled with young shoppers and cool trendy salesgirls. Music played loudly in the background, all the latest and greatest music of the times... . But when those opening bars of Bridge Over Troubled Water started up it was as if time stopped and the whole place paused for a moment to listen. Such is the power of music.
Other tracks from S&G you guys should definitely listen to, if you haven't already, are The Boxer (big production, small but perfectly formed lyrics) and Scarborough Fair/ Canticle (an old English folk song blended with an anti-war song). I also love Homeward Bound (about life for a touring musical act in the 1960s) and America (about a road trip across the US), which are more in their simpler, early folk/ acoustic style.
A couple of later solo songs you might like from Paul Simon's acclaimed Graceland album are The Boy in the Bubble (about the mildly dystopian 'miracles and wonders' of modern life) and Under African Skies (a tribute to the roots of music), but every song on this album is great. Then there's Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover (semi-comic ditty about one significant relationship ending and another one beginning - perhaps). But, really, there's no end to the musical and lyrical riches these guys blessed us with.
What hits is that he means it. It's earnest. It's heartfelt. It's not sarcastic or nod and a wink or being flip. It's not judgemental. It's an offer of comfort and friendship. To have someone say something like this to you, it can't help but hit hard.
If you want to know what Garfunkel did, watch Bridge OTW live at Central Park. Or, compare Garfunkel to Aretha. They do the same thing for the song.
That's my favourite version
Makes me emotional and full of goosebumps
Hearing Garfunkle sing this live is in Central Park is astonishing. I believe the audience is over 500,000.
Chris, I LOVE your voice! I also love when Art hits the high note at the end of the song and the face of BP. Yup, that did it.
On the album cover, Simon's hair is Garfunkel's moustache. Now you'll never un-see it.
Paul Simon wrote all the songs. Art Garfunkel's high clear voice made them magic. Almost all of their concerts were just Paul strumming an acoustic guitar and singing backup, with Art on lead vocals. That's all they needed.
Art Garfunkel sang the song! That is what he did.
Even though Simon and Garfunkel are Jewish...they were stuck on lyrics and inspired by a 1959 Gospel song which itself was inspired by Mary Why do You Weep and the 1700s song by Bach "O Scared Head Now Wounded" both referring to Mary staring at Her Son Jesus after he passed away but before he was taken down off the Cross...It's about either The Holy Spirit, A Good Samaritan, or a just a lifelong friend who is always there to lift you up at the deepest depths of your life....you are never alone. This song has been an inspirtaion for Homeless people on the streets, for recovering addicts, or people contemplating ending their own lives ever since- this won FIVE grammys- including album and song of the year at the 1971 Awards
Goosebumps every time I hear this song❣️🙏🏻
PS love seeing you two together, love ya both, from Australia 🇦🇺
Beautiful song. The two of them had some great harmonies. Great song writing.❤️✌🏻🎶
Paul Simon “you can call me Al” official video needs to be next. Chevy Chase helps lighten the mood on it.
Love this song, matter of fact love this whole album!!❤❤ My parents had this on vinyl, I remember we listened so much we had to use masking tape around the edges to hold the cover together. That cover has the lyrics to all of the songs on the album on the back of it.
Glad you loved the song! Thanks BP and Krizz!!❤❤
Art Garfunkel sang lead on this song… Probably the best of his career! Simon and Garfunkel had many many hits! Glad you found them!
Heard this song a thousand times and still gets me.
I really enjoy these two reacting together! They bounce off each other and mesh really well!
Angelic voice of Art
They are magical
One of a few songs I consider the top tier. It's beautiful. Emotional.
Listen to elvis version in Vegas 1970 Simon and garfunkel saw his performance and said how can we follow this.
It's most beautiful when listened all the way through.
I do not think there will ever be 2 voices that harmonized as beautifully as theirs.
I've said it many times, everyone needs such a friend or needs to be at times. Loved growing up in the 60s and 70s. We really did have the best music
I was born in 1960 i can RELATE HUGE TIME ,
Larry Knitchel is the piano player, since Paul Simon wrote it on guitar, Larry wrote the piano part & won a Grammy in 1971. This single & album won 5 Grammys. This is Art Garfunkel singing, Paul comes in on harmony in the 3rd verse. Paul Simon wrote this for Art's voice. They both sung most of the songs. Their harmonies are legendary. They started singing together at 13 years old. They had their 1st hit record at 16 years old. Art is the high tenor, Paul's voice is good but doesn't match Art. You should check out their Concert in Central Park in 1981. Art sings this solo. They were about to turn 40 years old then. That whole concert is fantastic, there was 500,000 people in atendance.October 2024 Paul turned 83 years old & Art turned 83 in November 2024.
You are listening to Art in this song. Beautiful! When the sail on silver girl kicks in ..that's paul ..
I remember this one. Always mad me sad and sometimes cry.
I feel like my soul's been ripped out of my heart. This has to been amazing. Thank you.
The angelic tones of Art Garfunkel.
Goosebumps...
4:23 Listen closely to the bass here . This takes me back . Wayyy back . I listened to this album and a couple others of these two when i was a child sooo many times .
1st song I ever learnt. In primary school choir and still remember every word, over 40 years later. Same with Barbara Streisand song memory from Cats. For a great voice and piano accompaniment listen to Jack savoretti live version of Breaking the Rules, he's an amazing singer ❤
What did Garfinkel do?! That's who you've been listening to this whole time.
If you can't hear this song without at least tearing up, & probably sobbing by the end, check yourself for a soul.
"Concert in the Park" version is incredible. Garfunkel comes out stands with his hands on his pockets and just kills it. You gotta see it
the best!
Art was the great Lead singer here.
1970 and still one of the greatest songs ever written .
Simon composition. Garfunkel falsetto,Simon harmonizing & bringing it home.