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Songfacts:
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| Paul Simon wrote this about providing comfort to a person in need. It started as a modest Gospel hymn but became more dramatic as he put it together. |
| Art Garfunkel sang this alone, although he thought Simon should have sung it. Says Simon, "Many times I'm sorry I didn't do it." |
| The production was based on Phil Spector's "Old Man River" by The Righteous Brothers. Spector is famous for his "Wall Of Sound" production technique. |
| This is one of the most covered songs ever. In the '70s, so many people sang a version of this that it became a joke. |
| This was one of the few songs to top the US and UK charts at the same time. It was #1 in the US for 6 weeks, #1 in the UK for 3. |
| In 1971, this won 5 Grammys: Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best Contemporary Song, Best Engineered Record, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. The album also won Album Of The Year. |
| This was the last album Simon and Garfunkel released before they split up. |
| Elvis Presley did a version of this that helped win over many critics who claimed he was not a great vocalist. It appears on his 1970 album That's The Way It Is. |
| The album is the biggest selling ever for Columbia Records. |
| Larry Knechtel from the soft-rock group Bread played piano. |
| The line "Sail on, silver girl" is often reputed to refer to a needle (meaning the song is about heroin) but it actually refers to Simon's girlfriend and later wife who found a few gray hairs and was upset. The lyric was meant as a joke. (thanks, Helen - York, England) |
| The sound of the drum that enters in the middle of the song was obtained when engineer Roy Halee put a snare drum at the bottom of an elevator shaft and placed a microphone at the top of the shaft. Within the music industry, this was a much discussed and much admired sound. (thanks, Dan - Montreal, Canada) |
| Simon played a stark version of this at the 2001 "Tribute To Heroes" benefit telethon for the victims of the terrorist attacks on America. Other performers included Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Mariah Carey. Almost 60 million people watched the show in the US. To put that in perspective, the Super Bowl draws about 80 million viewers. |
| This was included on the 2001 Columbia Records benefit CD God Bless America. Proceeds from the disc went to the Twin Towers Fund. |
| 2003 American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken released this as his first single after the show. Aiken lost to Ruben Studdard, but still gained massive publicity from the show. |
More songs by Simon And Garfunkel
More songs covered by Elvis Presley
More songs with a Gospel influence
More songs about friendship
More songs that won Grammys
More songs performed on the Tribute To Heroes special
More songs that make great requests at Piano bars
More songs with beverages in the title
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| Comments: |
Roberta Flack covered the song on her 1971 album Quiet Fire. Her rendition was used in the 2006 movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" starring Will Smith and his son Jaden.
- Patrick, Wr. Neustadt, Austria |
Is there anyway to top this one! DAVE Deforest Wi.
- dave, deforest, WI |
Garfunkel's vocals are simply amazing. He's probably one of the best singers of his time.
- Dom, MontrĂ?al, Canada |
Johnny Cash covered this song in his last album American IV:The Man Comes Around.
- Jon, Oakridge, OR |
As for what AJ said about a cover in Wayne's World 2, if I'm not mistaken this is because the end is basically satire of The Graduate.
- emma, hickville, PA |
#47 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs.
- Andy, Arlington, VA |
Willie Nelson performed this song during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
- Joshua, Twin Cities, MN |
This was the last song Elvis Presley ever performed live.
The cymbal crashes at the end of the song were rumoured to mimic the initial rush that one receives when shooting heroin.
Paul Simon has stated that he regrets not having done the vocals on this song. I believe the reason for his lament is that this is S&G's most famous song. He is said to have a tremendous ego, and it must gnaw on him that he's not singing on this classic.
- jim, Honolulu, HI |
Even though it was Simon and Garfunkel's last Number One hit before they split up, it was one of their most beautiful songs. I also remember Aretha Franklin's gospel-like remake.
- Howard, St. Louis Park, MN |
Paul Simon said that this was orginally intended to be a standard S&G 2-part harmony song, but when he heard Artie run through they lyrics on his own, he decided it would work better as a (mostly) Garfunkle solo. He said he did the middle as a duet to keep it a S&G song, and not a total Garfunkle solo.
- Ken, Louisville, KY |
Although this song was out years before I was born it's one of those songs I can listen to and never get bored of it. It's a classic and is so inspiring. That probably explains the reason why it's covered by other artists so much!
- Paul, London, England |
To say this song has some drug references is an understatement. A pusher coming to the aid of an addict is how I would characterize it. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful song. Simon writing and Garfunkel singing. What a team.
- Mike, Fort Worth, TX |
I have heard that Paul Simon wrote this song on a visit to Bickleigh, a small village outside Tiverton, in Devon, England. It had been stormy and there was indeed, a bridge over the (troubled) river. Can anybody verify this?
- Alan, Exeter, England |
Drums and piano ballads don't mix. They just don't. Thanks for nuthin' Phil Spector.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan |
I saw A Tribute to Heroes, and I can easily see why Art Garfunkel sings this song, and not Paul Simon. Either way, it's a great song
- Rob, Portage, MI |
I was a year old when this song charted, but I really have always liked it since the 1st time I heard it on the radio. It is a comforting song, but sad as well. Simon And Garfunkle were one of a kind and this is just one of many great tunes they did together.
- Dee, Indianapolis, IN |
2004 Australian Idol runner up Anthony Callea also released this song.
- kate, armidale, Australia |
Originally this song had 2 verses, but a few months later it was decided it needed a third. That's why the third verse takes a different turn on the subject (even heard in the music!)
Great song!
- Tim, Eastborough, United States |
One of the best songs ever!
- Honzin, Prague, Czech Republic |
There have been alot of covers of this song, and while most really don't measure up to the original, the best one I have ever heard was by a little known West coast A Capella singing group called The Coats. They covered the song on thier 2001 album "The Coats Collection" which featured both live and studio preformances of thier best originals and covers. While its not perfection compared to S&G's original, its pretty darn close. If The Coats ever come to your area, they are defenately worth seeing, and with most shows (save for thier Christmas tours) they will preform this song.
- Jeni, Beaverton, OR |
To J, Olympia: How can you possibly interpret that this song is about drugs? It is about anything, but. BTW this song nevre grows old, it's absolutely beautiful.
- Shirley, Ocean, NJ |
Silver girl was Paul Simon's girlfriend and later wife, Peggy. She was upset because she found a few grey hairs one day, so he teased her in the song.
- Helen, York, England |
I TOTALLY love this song! It has been one of my favorite songs practically forever. It is a very beautiful and inspirational songs.
I was wondering if anyone knows if it's ever been on any movies?
- Sarah, Ottawa, Canada |
I think this song is about drugs because of the Sail on Silvergirl thing sounds kind of like a needle, it might sound weird but if you look at the rest of the lyrics it makes sense.
- J, Olympia, WA |
Paul wrote this song for Art, even though they were going through terrible times in their friendship. Many of the songs on the "Bridge" disc were written by Paul to Art (Only Living Boy in New York, So Long Frank Lloyd Wright, etc).
- Maggie, Charleston, WV |
My Dad was in the Veitnam War and this song is very close to him. The meaning to him is that its about comming home from the fighting is the bridge over troubled water
- Dale, Oklee, MN |
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