Simon & Garfunkel are the greatest American folk rock duo of all time, and if you don't have at least a few of their tunes in your music library your music library needs some expansion.
Heavily influenced by the Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel (Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel) make folk music cool and are considered by many to be one of the most influential musical artists of the 1960s, alongside Bob Dylan and the Beatles.
The movie "The Graduate", directed by Mike Nichols and starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman, put Simon & Garfunkel on the map when it featured their song "Mrs. Robinson," but if "Mrs. Robinson" is the only Simon & Garfunkel song you've heard, you're in for a treat. Their other songs are just as good.
Seven Simon & Garfunkel Tunes You Gotta Have
1. The Boxer
From the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, "The Boxer" is a soothing and soulful song that will have you thinking deep thoughts and humming along to the catchy "lie-la-lie" part every time you hear the song.
2. The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)
From the Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album, The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) is a light, carefree song that will make you feel good any day of the week.
3. Cecilia
Another great song from the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, Cecilia is a toe-tappin' tune about a woman who messes around. Such a sad tale but delivered in the most fun way.
4. Scarborough Fair / Canticle
From the Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme album, Scarborough Fair / Canticle is classic Simon & Garfunkel and is a must have for every music library.
5. The Sound of Silence
Written by Paul Simon and originally recorded for their debut studio album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., "The Sound of Silence" is the song that both broke up and put Simon & Garfunkel on the map.
The song caught the attention of a record producer when Simon & Garfunkel sang it at Gerdes Folk City in New York under the name "Kane and Garr" in 1963.
Though the song impressed record producers when the duo performed it again at Folk City to promote the release of Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., it was not well received. It's said the song became a joke among audience goers, and when the album released two months later it sold a measly 3,000 copies. Simon & Garfunkel broke up as a result of the failure.
Paul Simon moved to London and recorded a version of the song for his solo album The Paul Simon Songbook.
Back in the U.S., with help from artists like Bob Dylan and the Byrds, folk music had started to break through on the pop charts, and a late-night DJ in Boston had started playing "The Sound of Silence." A cult following among college students was born.
"The Sound of Silence" hit number one on the Hot 100 on December 4, 1965 and spent 12 weeks on the charts. The song's success brought Simon & Garfunkel back together and their second album was named Sounds of Silence to try to capitalize on the success.
Though Simon & Garfunkel have broken up and reunited several times, there's something special about "The Sound of Silence" that makes it a must-have for any music lover.
The song caught the attention of a record producer when Simon & Garfunkel sang it at Gerdes Folk City in New York under the name "Kane and Garr" in 1963.
Though the song impressed record producers when the duo performed it again at Folk City to promote the release of Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., it was not well received. It's said the song became a joke among audience goers, and when the album released two months later it sold a measly 3,000 copies. Simon & Garfunkel broke up as a result of the failure.
Paul Simon moved to London and recorded a version of the song for his solo album The Paul Simon Songbook.
Back in the U.S., with help from artists like Bob Dylan and the Byrds, folk music had started to break through on the pop charts, and a late-night DJ in Boston had started playing "The Sound of Silence." A cult following among college students was born.
"The Sound of Silence" hit number one on the Hot 100 on December 4, 1965 and spent 12 weeks on the charts. The song's success brought Simon & Garfunkel back together and their second album was named Sounds of Silence to try to capitalize on the success.
Though Simon & Garfunkel have broken up and reunited several times, there's something special about "The Sound of Silence" that makes it a must-have for any music lover.
6. We've Got a Groovy Thing Goin'
From their second studio album, Sounds of Silence, "We've Got a Groovy Thing Goin" is an energetic and fun song that adds spice to the party whenever it pops up on random shuffle.
7. Mrs. Robinson
If we had to pick our favorite Simon & Garfunkel song of all time, we'd pick "Mrs. Robinson." From the Bookends album, and used in the movie The Graduate, "Mrs. Robinson" spans time and is a great jam any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Other Classic Tunes
If you didn't hear something that struck your fancy in seven songs, or if you gotta hear more, other awesomeness from Simon & Garfunkel include "A Hazy Shade of Winter", "America", "Homeward Bound", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and "April Come She Will." Also, The Concert in Central Park live album is a great performance and well worth the listen.
