♫ Bridge Over Troubled Water ♫ (Redux)

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I played this one back in 2018, but … it just seems so appropriate for the current times that I’m playing it again …

Did you know that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in grade school when they both appeared in a production of Alice in Wonderland. Paul was the White Rabbit and Art was the Cheshire Cat.  They began recording together in high school as Tom and Jerry — yes, as in the cartoon cat and mouse.

Simon and Garfunkel split up in 1970, and Garfunkel went on to become a math teacher at a private school in Connecticut.

The album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, was the last the duo recorded together before their breakup, and it remains, to this day, the biggest selling album ever for Columbia Records.  Paul wrote the title song, although Art Garfunkel sang it alone.  It was one of the few songs to top the US and UK charts at the same time. It was #1 in the US for six weeks, #1 in the UK for three.

In 1971, this won five Grammy Awards: 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.  Just about everybody and their brother has tried to jump on this bandwagon with a recording of their own, including Elvis Presley, Mary Blige & Andrea Bocelli, and Aretha Franklin.

In June 2017, a charity version was recorded by Artists For Grenville, a group comprising 50 well-known British vocalists and musicians. They were collected together by Simon Cowell to record a charity single to raise money for the families of the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017. The song immediately climbed to #1 on the UK singles chart.

Bridge over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all (all)
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you (ooo)
I’ll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Songwriters: Paul Simon
Bridge over Troubled Water lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

37 thoughts on “♫ Bridge Over Troubled Water ♫ (Redux)”

  3. Jill, this is truly a magnum opus for Paul Simon. His willingness to let Art Garfunkel sing it alone is a credit to both. It takes chops to lift this song up. Keith

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  4. I was a rather new traveler on your road and failed to cross this bridge when it was posted back in 2018! That said I could not have then nor can I now add anything to this well researched post. I will though add now, what I would also have added then, the words that always come to mind when I hear this song in recent years. “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” – Isaac Newton. It also occurs to me that we are burning too many bridges these days that could have led to better places had we crossed them together. I do love the song! Thank-you!

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    • Thanks, my dear Ellen! And I fully concur with Sir Isaac on this one. Did you happen to check out the reunion concert that Emily posted a link to in her comment? You’ll enjoy it, I think!

      Like

  5. This song has been going through my head lately! Havs always loved it and especially appropriate now! Great choice!
    I have more trivia questions on my post today if you want to take a shot, when you have a moment to breathe. 🙂

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    • Thanks my friend! I debated between this or “Eve of Destruction”, but I’m glad I played this one … it has a bit more of a positive tone. I did come play again! Much fun … this should be a weekly feature!

      Liked by 1 person

    • I knew you liked this one, and it just seemed so perfect for the times we’re living in at the moment. I actually debated between this and “Eve of Destruction”, but I’m glad I chose this. Did you check out the reunion concert Emily put a link to in her comment? If not, I think you’ll really enjoy it!
      Cwtch

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  10. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    One of my favorites ever!! … and so apropos!! Who/what will be that bridge?
    “The album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, was the last the duo recorded together before their breakup, and it remains, to this day, the biggest selling album ever for Columbia Records.”

    Liked by 3 people

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