Simon and Garfunkel? Who here remembers them...

[The Straight Story]

And what did(do) their songs mean to you, make you think about?

I was born in 1965, grew up with their music. I heard Sounds of silence today and memories just flooded back like water over the dam. Somehow I think they are more relevant now then then, but that is just the opinion of an old fogey like me....

[yellowdogintexas]

1. loved them then, love them now

I was in high school in 1965..their music was part of the background of highschool and college for me and that is the music that sticks with you

[The Straight Story]

6. I still think they are relevant today....

which makes me think of another idea for a thread....

I heard their music while listening to my MP3 of art bell, and I just sat here and recalled life in those early days. I still feel they are relevant and their messages still have import.

[Longgrain]

2. Remember them? Love them!

Bookends is one of my favorite albums of all time!

[Nikia]

3. I am in my mind twenties and I have listened to them

My parents were big fans as was my sophomore college room mate. I have the Bridge over Troubled Water cd.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. I remember Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon's songs during that period were noted for haunting melodies and delicate lyrics. It's still his best.

[seemslikeadream]

5. ’kathy,’ I said as we boarded a greyhound in pittsburgh

’let us be lovers we’ll marry our fortunes together’
’I’ve got some real estate here in my bag’
So we bought a pack of cigarettes and mrs. wagner pies
And we walked off to look for america
’kathy,’ I said as we boarded a greyhound in pittsburgh
’michigan seems like a dream to me now’
It took me four days to hitchhike from saginaw
I’ve gone to look for america

Laughing on the bus
Playing games with the faces
She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy
I said ’be careful his bowtie is really a camera’

’toss me a cigarette, I think there’s one in my raincoat’
’we smoked the last one an hour ago’
So I looked at the scenery, she read her magazine
And the moon rose over an open field

’kathy, I’m lost,’ I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why
Counting the cars on the new jersey turnpike
They’ve all gone to look for america
All gone to look for america
All gone to look for america

[havocmom]

7. They did some of the best social commentary of that time

Their work is a good way to really learn about the 60s. The anger, hope, silliness, desperation, hunger, love and vilolence is all there in two part harmony.

They were my voice as I came of age and was shy about raising my own much.

[Straight Shooter]

8. The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, tenement halls

Amazing lyrics. Paul Simon is unbelievably gifted.

[Padraig18]

9. How odd! I'm listening to them now.

"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" is playing as I type.

:)

[all.of.me]

26. i think that's one of the most beautiful songs of all time

[mr_hat]

10. Remembers? I have the box set to replace all the vinyl >

I've scattered through the years.

Here's what I think: Their songwriting should be considered apart and is superior to their productions.

Paul Simon SO wanted to the Beatles... Fool.

Edit:: Grammar/

[demnan]

11. Well, I was born in 1957

and I grew up with them and loved their music. When my Mom took me out in her Thunderbird with the 8-Track, we listened to S&G.

When I studied piano as a teen I bought the sheet music to 'Bridge of Troubled Waters' and learned to play it. It was a beautiful piano arrangement.

When I went to college in the 70's there before the disco thing, I sang backup to a girl who was very gifted on the guitar and who sang their songs in college and she sang the Paul Simon part for 'Scarborough Fair' and I sang the higher part - that Garfunkel sang.

I can't tell you how much their music meant to me growing up and older - I can still listen to it and love it.

[NightTrain]

12. Simon & Garfunkel? Wait, wait, don't tell me....

The name vaguely rings a bell.

They were a musical act, right? Recorded two or three singles back around '65 or '66, but they all stiffed. So, S&G went their separate ways, got out of music, and were never heard from again. Rumor has it that one of 'em became a trucker and the other died some time in the '80s.

Frankly, I'm surprised that S&G never caught on. However sparse their output, they made some decent music. Shame they couldn't at least have recorded enough material for an album. Oh, well....

[2cents]

13. Too soft ...

I was a teenager at the time...for me, their sound was more sleep inducing than thought provoking.

(edit) (got drowsy just thinking about them)

[JitterbugPerfume]

16. Their music provokes

sweet velvet lined memories

[2cents]

19. Yep, when I hear them now...

it doesn't remind me of them but of the times back then...

[havocmom]

14. Patterns

The night sets softly
With the hush of falling leaves,
Casting shivering shadows
On the houses through the trees,
And the light from a street lamp
Paints a pattern on my wall,
Like the pieces of a puzzle
Or a child's uneven scrawl.

Up a narrow flight of stairs
In a narrow little room,
As I lie upon my bed
In the early evening gloom.
Impaled on my wall
My eyes can dimly see
The pattern of my life
And the puzzle that is me.

From the moment of my birth
To the instant of my death,
There are patterns I must follow
Just as I must breathe each breath.
Like a rat in a maze
The path before me lies,
And the pattern never alters
Until the rat dies.

And the pattern still remains
On the wall where darkness fell,
And it's fitting that it should,
For in darkness I must dwell.
Like the color of my skin,
Or the day that I grow old,
My life is made of patterns
That can scarcely be controlled.//



Also saddly moving: 7 O'Clock News/Silent Night

Here is a good link for their lyrics:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/9574/lyrics.htm

This particular song always struck my fancy for those angry days
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/9574/lyrics_a_simple_desultory_philippic.htm

And tho I didn't do the drug thing, I love The Big Brithet Green Pleasure Machine
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/9574/lyrics_big_bright_green_pleasure_machine.htm

Dangling Conversation - great poetry and tempo

Listen to them. Listen to them and avoid so many pitfalls.

[Hatalles]

15. Born in '82 -- "Richard Cory" is the only song I know.

I may have heard some of their other songs, probably have -- I just wouldn't know them by name. What are some of their hits?

[The Straight Story]

17. This might help

http://www.simonandgarfunkel.com/albums.html

[NightTrain]

20. There's an excellent (and new) 2-CD anthology out on S&G.

To answer your question, their hits included (but were certainly not limited to):

America (1972)
At The Zoo (1967)
The Boxer (1969)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
Cecelia (1970)
The Dangling Conversation (1966)
El Condor Pasa (1970)
Fakin' It (1967)
For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (1972)
A Hazy Shade of Winter (1966)
Homeward Bound (1966)
I Am A Rock (1966)
Mrs. Robinson (1968)
My Little Town (1975)
Scarborough Fair (1968)
Sounds of Silence (1965)

[LynzM]

18. Well, I was born in 80

So 'remember', not so much, but did grow up with... my dad had the collected works songbook and we used to play the piano and sing a lot of it. It's the first piano music I ever learned, and I love their stuff. So much of it is still relevant, and it's great for belting out in the car, too :)

[Southsideirish]

21. "Hello darkness, my old friend..."

[The Straight Story]

24. That one line seems to strike a chord

with me for some reason...

[Arugula Latte]

22. I was born in '66.

We had "The Sounds of Silence" album and I think I heard those songs more than any music I can think of. They were definitely a big part of my childhood and adolescence, and I saw Paul Simon in concert a few times. I don't listen to them as much now, however, although I still think they were incredibly talented.

[July]

23. I was just listening to them in my car.

Just love At the Zoo. I don't know why.

[khashka]

25. Sound of Silence always gets me

Current 93 covered it and made it really fucking scary.

And I have a place in my heart for A Bridge Over Troubled Water.


Khash.

[cedahlia]

27. Bridge Over Troubled Water

means a lot to me. It starts the waterworks going every time I hear it. Even thinking about it is enough to get me going...it's just so powerful.

Bridge..., Sounds of Silence, and Homeward Bound are some of my favorite songs of all time...they're also some of the greatest songs ever written, IMO. (And I'm a child of the 80's/90s, so that shows you don't have to have grown up with their music to appreciate it...I love S&G!) :-)

[texas1928]

28. You forgot Poland.

You must never forget.

[rox63]

29. I used to fall asleep to their Greatest Hits album most nights

When I was a teenager. I found their music very comforting. It felt like the voice of a good friend.

[peekaloo]

30. I'm listening to 'My Little Town'

twitchin' like a finger on the trigger of a gun..........

[lpbk2713]

31. One of my favorites was The Boxer

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down or cut him

'til he cried out in his anger and his shame
I am leaving, I am leaving
But the fighter still remains

Also liked "My Little Town"

[argyl]

52. Dylan and Emmylou Harris both covered The Boxer. That's

really saying something.

[NV Whino]

32. They were great together

and Paul Simon went on to write some spectacular stuff after they split. His African rhythms are wonderful.

I have a hard time listening to Bridge over Troubled Water... too many poignant memories. I have to prepare myself to listen to it,work up to it. When it sneaks up on me or catches me by surprise, I cave.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. Hey there TSS,

You're NOT old! I AM! I'm old enough to be your mother! so there...Now, as to your very good question: I sure do remember Simon and Garfunkel. I loved their songs...I do not remember how they made me feel, but I remember loving how they sounded, the way the sounds blended and the lyrics...They may well have not lost their relevance to today. Perhaps they should re-release those recordings and then we'll know...*sigh*

[The Straight Story]

34. Well I feel old of late :)

After mom died on 12/31 my life has been hellish, made me feel ancient. Still reeling from it all.

I am saddend that it seems we have so little main stream 'hippies' today in the music world.

Hell I was not a political kid really, but the music and movies of the time raised my awareness of things. From Simon and Garfunkle to Billy Jack, it all seemed to mean something. So many things today seem to mean so little...Maybe I am just old though and not in touch anymore.

[Theres-a]

37. On the conrary

I feel deeper meaning in everything,the older I get.I feel more in touch.As I was reading all these posts,I was getting a lump in my throat,as S&G is my mom's favorite.Then I got to your post about your mom,and I have tears in my eyes.It's a part of life,but it is one that frightens me.I am so sorry for your loss.My favorite song is bookends,she used to sing that to me,actually,she used to sing them all to me.I think I'll call her tomorrow,thanks for posting.

[The Straight Story]

39. Hell. Call her, please. For me.

In August of this year I bought my first house ever. The one next door to mom. I wanted to be closer to my folks as the years went on.

In November mom went into hospital with an infection in her colon. She was 69. A few days before the operation to remove a small section of colon the infection burst, they rushed her into OR. She came out ok, though her chances were 50-50.

She finally came home week before christmas. Ice storm hit, power was out, my wife and daughter were in California visiting the in-laws for christmas - I stayed her so I could help out with mom. Christmas eve, after the ice storm had hit and we lost power (which we fought with a generator) mom went back into hospital dehydrated. She only had one kidney and it had been causing problems.

Wednesday Dec 29th at 10pm I went to the hospital to give dad a break and sit with her all night. He had not left her side all the time she had been there (and work helped him out, gave him extended vacation and raised money for him, $1000 to help with bills). Mom was out of it, not herself. Dad took me out to hallway and told me she was not well, probably would not make it. We went back into the room and the only lucid thing mom said was 'send him home Mick, he cannot handle this'. Dad sent me home. I came home and cried and did not believe it all.

Next night at about same time I went next door to dad's house telling him I had a prayer thread with friends going. He was heading back up after getting some sleep at home. He told me it was not to be and that he did not think she would make it through the night. I came home, alone, and cried. Did not believe it. He called at 2am, said my sister was on her way and I needed to get there as soon as I could. I could not drive, called my brother to pick me up on the way.

We lost my mom at about 2:20 am, 12/31. She was kind and loving to so many, always helping others out, always funny, always good to others. From hippies to right wingers, they all loved and missed her. We had people at the funeral who wore ties and others with green spiked hair wearing jeans. We lost a life long treasure.

For the first time in my life I am seeing a Pscyhologist, that is how hard it has hit me.

She would come next door to see my daughter, who is 3 and still wonders where her nanna is. I would take mom to the store, she was a good mom to my wife (who is from California and is named AutumnMist here on DU, a wild and pretty red-head) - they would go out to lunch, go shopping, and have fun.

Mom is gone now, her ashes are in a box in dad's basement near his computer where he can sit with her - surrounded by photos of her from her whole life. I got to the hospital 2 minutes too late. She was gone. All I could do was hold her lifeless hand and cry.

Call your mom, tell her how you feel each day. Someday you will not be able to - but in the meantime, enjoy the simplest things in life like a phone call :)

I don't always remember how her voice sounded, except in my dreams each night.

[Theres-a]

43. Flowers

Your story is very touching.I think I'll send flowers too,as I believe there are no coincidences.I started therapy pretty seriously after my grandfather died,because of unresolved stuff with my mom.I haven't been home in almost 3 years,but things are alot better.I guess thats why I get so sad when I think of her.My husband lost his mom before we met,and he has such a wonderful childlike faith that she's ok and she had a good life.I want that.My friend died last summer,she was my mothers age.She always used to say call your mother(her relationship with her own kids was like me and my mom-strained)and things of that sort.I miss her.I used to encourage her about her kids,and she'd encourage me about my mom.Thanks for the reminder.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

46. My dear TSS!

Please accept my profound apologies for the loss of your beloved mom...Of course I understand your feelings...And you are very much in touch with things...For one dealing with such a horrendous loss, you sound like you're dealing quite well with it. I wish I could put my arms around you to comfort you. :hug: I fervently hope that you have people present in your life who can anchor you and comfort you. All we have here are words on the page; it is remarkable to me how powerful those can be. But reading words is not the same as being able to speak to someone, or to hug or kiss them when sorrow arrives. I wish only the best to you during these difficult days.

:loveya:

[The Straight Story]

47. Thanks and True

Words on a page do help, not sure how, but they do. Perhaps it makes me feel less alone in this pain - and that helps.

Over last 3 months I have felt like I was dying, had panic attacks, etc. But I have found comfort online and in 'real life' with family.

Words on a page come from the hearts and minds of fellow humans, so yeah they have helped. Some have told me in person, and then I don't see them for months or more. The words I have seen here many times I can see time and again, and know they come often from others who can relate.

Thanks for the post!

[ghostsofgiants]

35. I grew up listening to them, thanks to my dad

Born in '85, so I wouldn't really "remember them" as such, but I love them.

[chieftain]

36. They made you think , so its a sure bet that some preacher or

pol would come out against them . My favorites are Bridge , the Boxer , At the Zoo , Dangling Conversations and Sounds of Silence . My wife and I went to see them in Tampa last year and they were great .

[The Straight Story]

41. Therein lies a deeper truth

'They made you think'. I do turn on the radio from time to time here and it rarely makes me think. Sad really...

[immoderate]

38. I saw them at Carnegie Hall when they introduced "Bridge...

Over Troubled Water" I saw the Stones at Madison Square Garden the next day. That's a weekend to remember.

--IMM

[The Straight Story]

40. Ahhhh where have such weekends gone :)

I wonder what sort of weekends the new generation thinks about? Not being cynical towards them, just really wondering if it is as deep as things were then....

[immoderate]

44. I think they'll never know.

I wore beads then. Heehee

--IMM

[welshTerrier2]

42. "the Statue of Liberty Sailing Away to Sea"

the meaning of those lyrics just hit me the other day ...

i just posted this on DU a couple of days ago ... yeah, I "remember" Simon and Garfunkel because I listen to their music all the time ...

excerpt from an "American Tune":

Still, when I think of the
road we're traveling on
I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what has gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hours
and sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
You can't be forever blessed

[regnaD kciN]

55. The ironic thing about "American Tune"...

...is that the tune is actually German! It was composed as a sixteenth-century hymn by Hans Leo Hassler. Bach uses arrangements of it several times in both the St. Matthew Passion and Christmas Oratorio.

Needless to say, being well-versed in Bach's Passion music, it was quite a shock to hear "American Tune" for the first time...

[KitchenWitch]

45. Born in early sixties myself

Love their music. It has a timeless quality in that it seems more meaningful now then it did when first recorded.

[housewolf]

48. Saw S&G in Calif, must have been 1965

My dad and a friend of his drove me, my sister and our friend about 40 miles. They waited while we 3 girls got to go in and watch Simon & Garfunkle perform in a "theater in the round." It was a night to remember.

Almost 40 years ago, and their music still moves me - tunes like "Sounds of Silence," "Bridgo over Troubled Waters" and this one:

"What a dream I had
Dressed in organdy
clothed in crinoline
like smokey burgendy
softer than the night
....
Oh I love you, girl -
oh I-I-I-I lo-o-o-ve you


And this one:
"Are you going to Scarborough Faire?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme"


Thanks for the memories

[zann725]

49. Old fogey??? You were born in 1963?! I was a teenager when they

hit the 'scene.' Songs like "Me and Julio" certainly would have homophobic Wing Nuts outlawing their music if it played today.

But it wasn't S&G alone that was amazing, it was the composite of ALL the folk/pop groups of the time which had real message and acoustic harmony. CSN&Y, Cat Stevens, Joanie Mitchell, James Taylor, etc. all collectively were truly the "engine" of the social movement (along with JFK, RFK, MLK). But of all the musical groups of that time, I feel CSN&Y were the epitome of that period (late 60's...early-to-mid 70's). Corny as it sounds, I still get a "high" from just listening to CSN&Y melodies and amazing words/messages.

But enough,from a TRUE "old fogey."

[ffm172]

50. my parents used to listen to them

so i grew up with their music and still love it.

[Rhiannon12866]

51. I love both their music and their sound.

It really takes me back to a time of idealism and hope. Now that I have a CD player in my car, I really should get some of their music. My favorites are probably "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" and "Sounds of Silence," but there are so many memorable ones. They play those occasionally on the oldies station that I listen to. One time, I was so engrossed in singing with either one of those songs that I just totally sailed past my dog's vet appointment and had to turn around, and that takes a lot! Thanks for the reminder of old favorites.:-)

[driver8]

53. I saw them this past summer at the Hollywood Bowl...

Amazing...simply amazing! I have always loved their songs and their music; the chance to see them sing together was a chance of a lifetime.

[Swamp Rat]

54. Me too.

:)

[regnaD kciN]

56. In case you haven't seen "Garden State"...

..."The Only Living Boy In New York" is used on the soundtrack at a crucial, and very affecting, point.