About the song
“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that has left an indelible mark on the landscape of folk and rock music. Penned by the talented singer-songwriter Paul Simon, this iconic song was first released in 1964 as part of the album “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”
The track initially received modest success, but it wasn’t until a remixed version of the song, featuring electric instrumentation, was released in 1965 that “The Sound of Silence” skyrocketed to fame. The remixed version climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, securing the number one spot in January 1966.
“The Sound of Silence” is characterized by its poignant lyrics and Simon’s emotive vocals, accompanied by Garfunkel’s harmonious backing vocals. The song’s introspective exploration of isolation, communication, and the human experience struck a chord with audiences around the world, solidifying its place as a timeless classic.
Over the years, “The Sound of Silence” has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, television shows, and commercials, further cementing its cultural significance. Its enduring popularity and profound impact on music make it a quintessential piece of the folk-rock genre and a cherished favorite among listeners of all ages.
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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 shared
And 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
Then the sign said, “The words on the prophets are written on the subway walls
In tenement halls”
And whispered in the sound of silence