About the song
Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” is more than just a song; it’s a timeless anthem that has resonated with audiences for decades. Originally released in 1964, the acoustic version of the song initially met with limited commercial success. However, a remix featuring electric instruments and drums, released the following year, catapulted the track to the top of the charts.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its poignant lyrics and haunting melody. Paul Simon’s introspective verses paint a vivid picture of a world filled with isolation and misunderstanding. The refrain, “Hello darkness, my old friend,” has become a cultural touchstone, symbolizing the loneliness and alienation that many people experience.
Beyond its musical merits, “The Sound of Silence” has also made a significant cultural impact. It was prominently featured in the 1967 film The Graduate, where its haunting melody perfectly captured the protagonist’s disillusionment and alienation. The song’s association with this iconic film further solidified its place in popular culture.
Over the years, “The Sound of Silence” has been covered by countless artists, from Bob Dylan to Disturbed. These interpretations demonstrate the song’s versatility and its ability to connect with audiences across generations.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, “The Sound of Silence” is a song that deserves a place in your music collection. Its timeless message and haunting beauty continue to resonate with listeners, making it a true classic of folk rock.
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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 street lamp
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”