♫ Bridge Over Troubled Water ♫ (Redux)

Posted on by under music, music history, Political commentary, Social commentary

Day five already of Simon & Garfunkel Week!  Carolyn requested this one and it is indeed one of their most iconic songs, as well as one of my favourites!  Enjoy!

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

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

    • I don’t think I’ve heard that one … I’ll go check it out shortly! How’re you doing, my friend? It’s been a while since we’ve chatted … my fault, since I’m struggling for energy and never seem to get done half of what I want to. But I haven’t forgotten our coffee …

      Liked by 2 people

  4. This is a happy-making song, for me. I understand Pete, especially as to the covers, but when S&G are doing this song, I’m with every note, every time. Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Awwww … I’m so glad! Yes, I do understand how sometimes a song is so overplayed that it is no longer one you want to hear, but this one is always good for me. Did you happen to listen to the Grenfell Towers version that Clive posted in his comment? It’s worth checking out.

      Liked by 3 people

  5. Hi. Jill this is another grand song. It is one I learned before I had my summer in Canada.

    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

    and 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

    How often and forcefully I sang this to my self. Along with the rest of the song. It is a lifeline song, one that people in bad situations can sing to themselves or listen to gratefully. Another great selection. Sorry, but this one has been in my playlist since apple allowed me to make one. But still I am glad you choose it for one of your song posts.

    Hugs and love. Scottie

    Liked by 3 people

    • You’re right … some songs can be a lifeline to those who need one, and I’m glad this one was for you. Did you watch the Grenfell Towers’ version that Clive included in his comment? It is well worth watching, if you haven’t already. Hugs and loves, dear friend.

      Liked by 2 people

      • Hi Jill. Not until you mentioned it. But I went and looked for it. The intro turned me off at first, and to tell the truth if you had not sort of recommended it, I would have stopped it then. But when the song started and the raw emotion of the singers came through, I did enjoy it, this version.

        But not as much as the original. The reason is I can not duplicate the sounds of all the singers in Clive’s version. I can not use the lyrics to ease the pain I am feeling in my body / being. Which was important to me then, and sadly in my mind still now. Even though I am not there still and I shouldn’t need to be able to vocalize it, it is important to me to be able to do so. But I am glad I watched / listened to it. Best wishes, hugs, and loves, Jill. Scottie

        Liked by 1 person

        • Musically, yes I will always love the original best. But the emotion in the Grenfell Towers version … makes it so special. Sometimes, Scottie, it helps us cope with our own troubles when we realize that others have troubles equally traumatic … at least I find that to be the case. Huge hugs and loves, dear Scottie!

          Liked by 1 person

  6. Pingback: ♫ Bridge Over Troubled Water ♫ (Redux) | Filosofa’s Word | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  7. Jill, a truly magnificent song. Simon was envious that Garfunkel sang it alone to such an extent that when Simon received lifetime awards, he sometimes sang the first verse turning the last two over to Garfunkel. Keith

    Liked by 4 people

  8. I think BOTW is a genuine classic that has been overplayed and over-covered until I actually never want to hear it again. I like to remember the first time I heard it, and thought it was something new and wonderful. (And yes, I did buy it at the time.)
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. A genuine classic. You mentioned the Grenfell version, which I played a couple of months ago. For non-British readers, who may not know the background, Grenfell Tower was a high rise block in NW London that caught fire in June 2017. 72 died and a further 70 were injured. For once in his life, Simon Cowell did something good and put together the performance and video just a week later. You may need a tissue or two for this:

    Liked by 4 people

  11. With this song, Paul Simon wrote perfection, and Art Garfunkel added the vocal flawlessly. As much as they were great together it was a fitting end to a fantastic musical partnership — after they did Bridge there was nowhere else to go

    Liked by 5 people

  12. This song has been playing in my mind eversince I mentioned it to you. 🙂 Thanks for playing it. And fun history about them meeting in grade school and about Tom and Jerry. Tom and Jerry are classic, like this song. LOL!

    Liked by 5 people

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