About The Song
“The Sound of Silence” is a classic folk rock song by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964. Here are the details:
Title: The Sound of Silence
Artists: Simon & Garfunkel
Album: Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. (1964) / Sounds of Silence (1966)
Genre: Folk Rock
Release Date: September 1964 (original release), January 1966 (re-release)
Songwriter: Paul Simon
Key Themes: “The Sound of Silence” explores themes of alienation, social isolation, and the lack of communication in a modern world. The lyrics depict the contrast between a silent and lonely world and the cacophony of voices that fail to connect with one another. The song captures a sense of disillusionment and introspection.
Musical Style: The song features an acoustic folk rock style, with Paul Simon’s fingerpicking guitar work and Art Garfunkel’s harmonizing vocals. The original version had a stripped-down arrangement, but the 1966 re-release included electric instrumentation, reflecting the evolving folk rock sound of the mid-1960s.
Cultural Impact: “The Sound of Silence” became a significant hit after its re-release in 1966, reaching the top of the charts in the United States. The song’s success contributed to Simon & Garfunkel’s rise to prominence and marked their transition from folk to folk rock. The distinctive sound and thoughtful lyrics resonated with a generation grappling with social and cultural changes.
Legacy: The song is considered one of Simon & Garfunkel’s signature pieces and a defining track of the 1960s. It has been covered by various artists and has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. The haunting melody and evocative lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, making “The Sound of Silence” a timeless classic.
“The Sound of Silence” is celebrated for its poetic lyrics, memorable melody, and the expressive vocal delivery of Art Garfunkel. The song remains a powerful reflection of the complexities of human communication and the enduring impact of Simon & Garfunkel on the folk rock genre.
Video
Lyrics
“The Sound Of Silence”
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Hello, darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a streetlamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
“Fools,” said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you.”
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, “The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence.”