Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

"The Sound Of Silence" is the song by which Simon & Garfunkel started to be popular. It was written by Paul Simon and originally recorded as an acoustic folk song; but after the inclusion of rock instruments it was released as a single in September 1965, becoming a great hit: #1 in US (certified as a gold record) and #9 in UK. The lyrics could have several interpretations, but apparently they talk about the difficulty of people to communicate and love each other. This is certainly one of the best examples of early and successful folk rock.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaSFzp6IDgw" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaSFzp6IDgw</a>

[blmeanie]

love S&G, sounds of silence an all-timer

[Hello Goodbye]

The lyrics could have several interpretations, but apparently they talk about the difficulty of people to communicate and love each other.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu5s1Jk4SpI" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu5s1Jk4SpI</a>

[KelMar]

^^^
That's one of my all-time favorite movies.

It was written by Paul Simon and originally recorded as an acoustic folk song;

I really like this done acoustically. It's interesting that the album that included the original version of the song, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., was a commercial failure. In spite of that, this song received airplay, prompting the remix and release as a single.

https://youtu.be/-eqJGVl0Pr0

Paul Simon also recorded a solo acoustic version in England in June of 1965.

https://youtu.be/w7Fj9WLsisE

I think it's a little more haunting.

[Hello Goodbye]

^^^
That's one of my all-time favorite movies.

The Sounds Of Silence was also heard at the beginning...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjtoi6Z4lAg" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjtoi6Z4lAg</a>

...and at the end of the movie...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pdNYXY3Zo" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pdNYXY3Zo</a>

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

I really like this done acoustically. It's interesting that the album that included the original version of the song, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., was a commercial failure. In spite of that, this song received airplay, prompting the remix and release as a single.

Yes, the song showed its potential from the beginning. I like the acoustic version too. The rock instruments added later were played by the same musicians used for the recording of Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone".

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

...and at the end of the movie...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14pdNYXY3Zo#

That scene was parodied in The Simpsons.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7enu9HPZ1Us" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7enu9HPZ1Us</a>

[KelMar]

The Sounds Of Silence was also heard at the beginning...

...and at the end of the movie...

It certainly was a perfect choice for this movie. I also like what they did here:

https://youtu.be/yRBNA27N0ts

It's cool that just that sparse accompaniment could be so effective.

[KelMar]

That scene was parodied in The Simpsons.

 

I enjoy things like this. I feel validated when I get a reference that my kids don't and I get to explain it to them. 

[Hello Goodbye]

ELAINE!!!






BEN!!!

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

I enjoy things like this. I feel validated when I get a reference that my kids don't and I get to explain it to them. 

I guess that will happen to me too when my son grow up!

[stevie]

Yes, the song showed its potential from the beginning. I like the acoustic version too. The rock instruments added later were played by the same musicians used for the recording of Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone".

One of the best non Beatle songs of the Sixties. Interesting to note that the 'rockier' version was done without the knowledge of Paul Simon. The record company added the extra instruments off their own bat

[nimrod]

Great song
I much prefer the acoustic version
I always thought that all  S  & G  needed was a guitar and their  voices, it's a complete sound.

[Moogmodule]

Always liked this. I can take either the acoustic version or the rockified one. I do like when the drums kick in on the rock version but the electric guitar doesn't add overly much.

I heard Paul Simon is the oldest solo male artist to get a number one record in the U.K with his latest album. And it debuted at number three on billboard in the US.  Still selling after all these years.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

One of the best non Beatle songs of the Sixties. Interesting to note that the 'rockier' version was done without the knowledge of Paul Simon. The record company added the extra instruments off their own bat

I've read that the addition of rock instruments was quite difficult because the recording had uneven time.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

Great song
I much prefer the acoustic version
I always thought that all  S  & G  needed was a guitar and their  voices, it's a complete sound.

I like the inclusion of rock instruments in their songs, but I agree that a guitar and their voices make a complete sound. That's why I think their live recordings sound very good too.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJLcr4jcnzk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJLcr4jcnzk</a>

Anyway, the rock instruments added in their studio recordings are not intrusive, I think they work as a subtle accompaniment.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

Always liked this. I can take either the acoustic version or the rockified one. I do like when the drums kick in on the rock version but the electric guitar doesn't add overly much.

I agree, the inclusion of drums makes a difference. But again, I like listening to both versions.

[tkitna]

Hal Blaine brought the skins to the tune and it took off.  I especially dig the pronounced hi hat hits on the 2 and 4.  Little thing like that makes all the difference.  Great song.

[Hombre_de_ningun_lugar]

Hal Blaine brought the skins to the tune and it took off.  I especially dig the pronounced hi hat hits on the 2 and 4.  Little thing like that makes all the difference.  Great song.

I previously thought the Wrecking Crew played in "The Sound Of Silence" too, but it seems that rock musicians were the same used for the recording of "Like A Rolling Stone", where the drummer was Bobby Gregg. Hal Blaine did play on other Simon & Garfunkel classics like "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

[tkitna]

I previously thought the Wrecking Crew played in "The Sound Of Silence" too, but it seems that rock musicians were the same used for the recording of "Like A Rolling Stone", where the drummer was Bobby Gregg. Hal Blaine did play on other Simon & Garfunkel classics like "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water".

I'm confused

Personnel[edit]
Paul Simon: lead vocals, guitar
Art Garfunkel: lead vocals
Fred Carter, Jr.: guitar
Larry Knechtel: keyboards
Glen Campbell: guitar
Joe South: guitar
Joe Osborn: bass guitar
Hal Blaine: drums
Bob Johnston: producer

Sounds of Silence was recorded in December 1965 at CBS studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and Los Angeles, California. .

"The Sound of Silence" (electric overdubs) personnel:
Al Gorgoni: guitar
Vinnie Bell: guitar
Joe Mack: bass guitar[6]
Bobby Gregg: drums

"The Sound of Silence" overdubs were recorded at Columbia's "Studio A" at 799 Seventh Avenue near 52nd Street by Columbia Records staff producer Tom Wilson on June 15, 1965.[3][4]