"'Kathy, I'm lost,' I said even though I knew she was sleeping.'" Is one of my favorite lines of all time.

When one of the greatest song writers of all time stands up to applaud your version of his song, then you have nailed it. Songbirds.

Umm Paul Simon just gave you a standing ovation. Life is complete.

When I was a young child I listened to Simon & Garfunkel. They were the age of my parents. Today I listen to First Aid Kit, who are the age of my children. And now the circle has been completed beautifully.

That awkward moment when only one person stands up to applaud but it's the only one in the room that matters. Beautiful

Paul Simon watching two people that weren't born when that song came out that live a half a world away from him singing a truly wonderful song he wrote. That has to be humbling and yet satisfying. Nice job.

How cruel is Sweden; every year they invite in some giant of music to "give them an award", and every year they roll out First Aid Kit to make that musician cry in front of everyone

You can see Paul saying "that was great" twice and was fighting back tears when he sat back down. Beautiful rendition of a great song.

I clicked on a tribute to Emmylou Harris and discovered these beautiful singers who I had never heard of before, now I follow them and it brought me here. They are just awesome!

After they did it to Patti Smith and Emmylou Harris, not only bring these girls the great Paul Simon to tears but they also receive a standing ovation from the master... Why aren't they more widely known?

At first I thought Paul looked like a stoic and cold and then I realized that his expression is that of a man trying to hold things together and not burst into tears. That's alright I did the crying for him.

The "I'm empty and aching and I don't why" line never fails to bring me out in goosebumps

When I emigrated to the USA from England, 30 years ago, listened to this song as the bus exited the tunnel coming out of Logan airport. Moved me to tears 😭

You know you're doing things right when Paul Simon gives you a standing ovation.

The smile of his wife Edie Brickell is great to see, Edie herself a great singer looks great, wonderful how she sits there, without make-up just being herself.

Now these girls can sing. No auto tune no fancy electronics , just mind blowing crystal clear harmonies . A pure joy for the senses and heart. Stunning!

You know you pulled a song off brilliantly when the original song-writer/singer gets his eyes filled with water after. Just great, the highlight of my day.

To the 212 people who disliked this video. Stop listening to music. Its not your thing.

God I love watching Paul Simon and imagining him watching his whole life before his eyes, compressed into this beautiful moment. I like to imagine he’s feeling the whole huge glittering life of his and everything he gave the world. This is such an amazing video

“I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why ...” That’s one of the most poignant lyrics I’ve ever heard in my life.

If First Aid Kit keeps this up, they will be finding themselves sitting in that front row someday listening to covers of their songs...

Stunningly beautiful... You can see the pride in Paul, while watching and listening... These sisters are wonderful. Greetings from Ireland 🍀🇮🇪💚

That standing ovation by Paul Simon is all that counts.

Wonderful duo, high praise for Paul Simon to give them a standing ovation.

This is sensational. The harmony is crazy. Different to S&G harmony but equally brilliant. Truly a superb version of the original.

Paul Simon was so moved...what a beautiful performance.

These 2 women have the most pure and beautiful voices and their harmonies are most certainly up there with the absolute best like Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon

The balls to sing this for Paul Simon and to do it with your own flair. That is art art art.

I'm still trying to work out why but when I listen to First Aid Kit's music my emotions are flung into a new plain. Emotions that laugh, cry and sing in joy all at the same time. These guys provide me with something deep and special with every beautiful harmonising note they sing.

Amazing cover. This is not a song to be tampered with. They did it with perfection.

Just wow. Simon sits stunned and pleased. Me too.

I remember being on a greyhound bus listening to this song on an old Walkman cassette player. It was 23 years ago and I was on an adventure of a lifetime travelling with 2 friends. The song always takes me right back there. Fantastic cover ladies ❤❤❤

This performance brought me to tears. First Aid Kit are so incredibly talented and to perform beautifully rearranged harmonies of “ America “ in front of him and to see him visibly moved is truly a reflection of their talent.

Paul Simon has heard so many covers of this song but nothing like this. It came from their hearts. Wonderful.

These girls are the best thing happening in music today! I just love this!

This is the third time I've see these girls do a cover honoring someone. The others were Emmylou Harris and Patti Smith. These three artist are all very honored and decorated. At the beginning of all three of these performances; Paul, Emmylou and Patti seem appreciative but seem to be thinking "another hokey cover band" But, after about a minute they're like these girls are on a whole different level, from a different and higher universe

As the years fly bye and Art & Paul are long gone this song will be handed down to new generations of singer who will put their own spin on this great song. Thank You First Aid Kit you aren't the first and you won't be the last but it will be hard to compete with those voices of yours...Just Beautiful.

I've probably already commented on this before, but who cares? This is quite easily one of the best covers ever done.

This is a stellar performance. It will live in my heart forever as a gift.

This rendition just evokes emotions in me for a simpler time when the only way we all had to connect with one another was to get out, and be interactive with each other. No computers, no social media. The sounds of their harmonies really get close to bringing tears to my eyes, and it is a pure mixture of sadness, and happiness. Never get tired of hearing this version of Paul's song.

Paul's fighting like crazy to hold back the tears.

Paul seamed like a changed man after this song. They really touched him.

Will never understand why everyone else didn't stand up with Paul.. You could see him thinking through this performance that he was proud to have inspired such a beautiful rendition of his song... Would have loved to have been there

I can't imagine what it's like to hear these two amazing women perform your work...I've watched them serenade Emmylou Harris with a song they wrote about her...brought her to tears...brought ME to tears. Looking at Paul's face, I wonder if his life is flashing before his eyes...if he is being reminded of his own mortality...if he is reflecting on the magic he made with Art...thinking about how these sort of tributes happen toward the end of life...is he wanting more time? or to go back? or to make time stand still... Edie's face...her expression, warm, compassionate, kind, full of love, admiration, and pride for Paul's accomplishments...she's a light in his world...even if they aren't together, her glow still reaches him and holds him up, gently, she teaches him the value of humility and vulnerability, still managing to show up for him and give him graceful support. I think Paul, like most people, is struggling to accept the technological revolution, and the contribution of today's youth to the evolution of the revolution of Paul's generation...The fire in the belly rebellion is no longer a threat to the establishment. The Peace Train left the station when the Boomers traded in their sandals and flowers for careers, families, retirement plans, investment properties, and went ahead and let (and elected) the Orwellian Big Brother set up cameras everywhere. Is the look in his eyes disappointment? Defeat? Remorse? Judgement? Is he forlorn? These dreamy young women are breathing new life into this song. They are delivering it with the same embrace that Edie's presence projects. There is love and forgiveness and a call to remember who he once was, and how he tapped in to a cultural current and became a voice of a generation of hopeful dreamers and lovers and fighters... disillusionment be damned... awaken the dream. We're not holding anything against you, but we're not letting you off the hook. I believe you still have embers of the counterculture smoldering in there somewhere. Take a deep breath and let it fan your flame. You now possess the benefit of hindsight, and with reflection comes clarity. Tell us what you see. Write us another song, one of hope, something to stand for,

Emmy Lou Harris was moved to tears. Paul Simon showed his appreciation by standing up and applauding the sisters. I suppose it is this difference that caused 212 ppl to give a thumbs down. They were wrong to do so. Paul Simon is a perfectionist so this was high praise indeed.

You know you have nailed it when the composer stands and applauds, with tears in his eyes, simply sublime.

this is impossibly brilliant. candescent and majestic with just a touch of heartbreaking.

The harmonies are absolutely incredible. Phenomenal performance.

What can you say about these two?? SOOOOOOO talented!!! A privilege to hear them, even cover a Paul Simon classic.....

Cool seeing the composer hear his work performed so beautifully back at him. It looked as though it affected him.

3:50...beautiful fade out to a beautiful rendition. Look closely at the very end of the video. Paul's eyes are just starting to tear up.

They are so refreshing to hear and watch, now this is what i call music, pure blending, voices, harmonies and simplicity. Not a naked butt wiggling out in the TV screen

I would love to know all the many, many thoughts going through Paul Simon's mind during that beautiful performance.

These young ladies are really talented, their harmonies are exquisite. I think Mr. Simon appreciated their version of his song too.👍👍

Stunning. When Paul Simon is visibly emotional and muttering “that was great” multiple times while giving you a standing ovation, you did something very right.

A poignant and gorgeous interpretation of Paul Simon's masterpiece. The Master, himself, was overwhelmed!

What an amazing moment.If Paul Simon gives you a standing ovation that is really something very special.💚Beautifully sung.One of my favourite Paul Simon songs.

God, how they sing! Cannot find words to express my appreciation!

I'd never heard of them, nor heard them sing, until I stumbled across this performance. I like them, and hope to hear more from them.

You truly know you are accepted when the person who wrote the song you are singing stands up to applaud you! Loved these 2 from the second I heard their music, the same a I did 40 years ago when I heard Paul and Art signing! You will go far First Aid Kit! 👍🏻

I'm a huge Paul Simon fan - and he's often seemed pretty jaded at events of the past few decades - except at this performance.....

Simon and Garfunkel were genius in their story telling. It takes maturity and intelligence to understand their genius and even more to convey it as beautifully as Simon and Garfunkel. This song is a journey through American history and any relatable person's journey in this country. It's romantic, honest, and tugs at my heartstrings. Well done S&G and FAK!!!

First aid kit gets a standing ovation from Paul, doesn't get much better than that...Fantastic sisters...

I love these girls, this version of a great song is very well done. Even Paul was moved to tears.

Wow happy camper today discovered this pair of angels...such talent..

This is pure art.

This and MANY other Simon and Garfunkel songs were the soundtrack to our family road trips. Listening to this puts me right back in the far back of a 70's land yacht station wagon driving from New Jersey to Florida or New Jersey to Michigan. The cassette player was bolted under the dashboard. I feel like I am 6 or 7 years old all over again. This is outstanding. I love this version of this song. Just... wow.

Sweden have exported so makt different styles of music over the years, but these two might be one of those I’m most proud of. No matter, this isn’t about Swedish or American music, it’s bigger then petty lines on a map. Great song, great artists and great comments in this thread. Internet at it’s best.

Proves music knows no language barriers, no generational barriers. When it's good - it's good.

This song reminds me of all us coming to America for better life and freedom which is now not working for most of us but extremely few. Let's us bring American spirits back and work together to turn this nation around for all of us and our next generations.

I would say how brilliant this is, but one look at Paul's expression says more than i can ever manage.

when you realize that the paired voices of two sisters is infinitely greater than any instrument in a symphonic orchestra

I persuaded my dad to get an 8 track player for his car back in ..... well a long time ago! I then installed it for him (I was about 16 at the time) and put in four speakers in the doors (no sub-woofers or the like - just decent speakers in all 4 doors). I then used to sit in the car in the garage listening to Simon and Garfunkel and others from the same era. I loved America, it was one of my favourites. First Aid Kit have got it spot on. The best cover of it I have heard. Brilliant!

Wow, I'm truly touch by these two beautiful young ladies,...talented! Ivanisha.

And to everyone loving this upload, here's an interesting article about it: time.com/3591929/first-aid-kit-america-video/

At 4:29 King Karl XVI Gustaf stops applauding and contemplates if he too should stand up. He decides not to and thus emphasis Paul Simon's praise.

I really like that Paul Simon was able to give them a one-man standing ovation. :-)

I just came into this video and it brought me.to tears. There's something so moving in their voices blending together, they give a new spirit to this music masterpiece!

What an amazing version and to see how humble the great Paul Simon is .... thank you for sharing

wow - that performance made me weep with joy -- truly beautiful

Just discovered these two girls, Ruins is a fabulous album. America is one of my favourite S&G songs, and this is beautiful. Looks like Paul loved it too.

Such pristine perfect sublime singers these 2. Absolutely carved in the great ABBA mold. No wonder Both groups from Sweden. Must be something about the air and climate to produce such fantastic singers.

They look and sing like angels!

I think Paul Simon really loved this fabulous cover of his signature song! 😃

Wow! This did crazy things deep inside me, I felt like crying & smiling at the same time. Wonderful.

Just discovered these talented singers/musicians....thank you youtube...so happy to see and hear this!

In just one day that I came across this I don’t recall anymore how many times I keep going back listening to them. New found favorite to listen to just like the rest of their music.

to hold the audience attention with just your voice. with such depth and intensity on such a calm song. there arent many musicians around anymore who could do that. love these girs

Mr. Simon was visibly moved by that experience. Well done First Aid Kit !!

Simply. Beautiful! And to sing America for Paul Simon! Amazing.

They never let me down with their amazing covers

All of their covers are freaking amazing!

What's better than a wall-to-wall, stalls-to-gods standing ovation? This.

Whenever I hear them my eyes well up with water. Such awesome voices. Such beautiful harmonizing.

Take two wonderful songbirds, mix the poetry and storytelling of a musical genius and you have this lovely performance. Awesome indeed.

Absolutely a masterpiece.

wow they got a standing ovation from Mr Simon!!

How can this not bring tears to your eyes. Bravo!!!

Wow. Just wow. Power, and tone, and confident harmonies. Well done ladies.

Goosebumps! An absolutley amazing performance