"Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." I'm in my 60s and have had so many experiences reinforcing the truth of this line.
@mitzifrancis984310 ай бұрын
I am leaving I am leaving But the fighter still remains. That entire verse but especially those last lines always bring a flood of emotion, evoking times I lost the fight but not the desire to continue.
@go-nogo14754 ай бұрын
I've been split equally between if that Boxer says, "I give up, I'm going back where I came from, leaving this city...I've had enough." OR if that Boxer is saying, "I'm beaten-up, frustrated, broken, yes, and I say the logical thought, "Considering everything, I'm leaving...but, no: I'm literally THE Boxer. I cannot leave the ring standing up. The fight never ends until I'm down for the count, and I still stand..." And I'm old(ish) and have heard this for 50 years, and either meaning can cause real, deep emotional reaction, depending on where I am mentally & emotionally.
@chrisholland605210 ай бұрын
Fun fact; The drum impact, what you called hitting a punching bag, was made by recording in the lobby of the studio, and using an open elevator shaft to create that echo. Since synthesizers weren't around then, artists had to get very creative to make the unique sounds we still enjoy today.
@jonathanmurphy31419 ай бұрын
They recorded parts of this in a NYC church, for the echo - and, as noted other, the drum “smack” in an elevator.
@brucekislow169010 ай бұрын
It's pretty hard to have a favorite Simon and Garfunkel song, although I have probably listened to this one more than any other. Paul didn't think it was necessary to write a chorus because the verses were so rich and deep.
@z-man234310 ай бұрын
Paul's songwriting and guitar virtuosity are second to none. The man is truly a national treasure. A must listen is the song "Under African Skies" off his 1986 release Graceland. The entire album is sooo good, but this track in particular is otherworldly.
@muriel226710 ай бұрын
This is album is a masterpiece with hidden gems like El Condor Pasa, Keep the Customer Satisfied, So Long Frank Lloyd Wright, and The Only Living Boy in New York
@stevedahlberg868010 ай бұрын
💯!
@Carln013010 ай бұрын
Absolutely Muriel.
@terri249410 ай бұрын
I’ve always taken “the fighter still remains” to mean he’s lost the battle but he’s still fighting the war.
@hackermusic33559 ай бұрын
One of my favorite lines in any song. For anybody taking lumps and wanting to quit but fighting on.
@2021ruber5 ай бұрын
Perseverance
@davidrauh811810 ай бұрын
That bass harmonica and steel guitar in the middle gives it such grand color. Let alone the vocals and the lyrics.
@bettybaby6310 ай бұрын
It really is a perfect song.
@kathyrizzi87545 ай бұрын
I got tears in my eyes listening to this great song from my years way back!👍👏👏👏💙
@Carln013010 ай бұрын
I always took that as the blows reigning down on the boxer and him punching back. And the metaphor is that we are all boxers as we have all fought through adversity and are still standing if we are here listening to this reaction. I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains. Brilliant lyrics, awesome music and vocals. Great, great tune. That's when you know you have great lyrics. When it means so many different things to so many people.
@kimberelyanngunter63416 ай бұрын
The first album I ever owned...1976 I got my first HiFi stereo for my 8th birthday & my mom gave me this album that she played relentlessly and then so did I😊
@steveullrich773710 ай бұрын
The ending of this song with its building crescendo makes it so powerful. Just overwhelms one's senses.
@davidchapman22139 ай бұрын
Great job! A masterpiece that I’ve been listening to for 50 years. Paul Simon is one of those geniuses with the ability to turn every song he creates to gold. I’ve watched many first reactions to the song and done are better at interpreting than others. Because of so many interesting instrument, harmonies and the general arrangement, most people don’t notice ( or at least never comment) on the full orchestra in the last segment of the sing as it crescendos. The majority of the song is guitar with creative use of bass harmonica, steel guitar, piccolo trumpet, and reverb snare drum. Thanks for keeping this amazing and legendary song alive and remembered.
@MarySiddell8 ай бұрын
Favorite S&G song. Thank you. It's pretty special. "The fighter still remains"
@z0n0ph0ne10 ай бұрын
One of the best produced records of all time. Dig that bass harmonica.
@make725daily110 ай бұрын
Your content is outstanding! Subscribed and looking forward to your journey! -- "Embrace your potential to navigate your remarkable journey."
@OhCuePie5 ай бұрын
You'll notice that the great guitar playing held on and never let go. All kinds of instruments were coming in, building to that awesome crescendo. But the fingerpicking kept it all together, and in the end the guitar won out and finished well.
@carlswenson553810 ай бұрын
You've now heard what a bass harmonica sounds like.
@kevinsattler660310 ай бұрын
Can't go wrong with Simon and Garfunkel. Check out Scarborough fair. Peace ✌️
@36karpatoruski10 ай бұрын
Scarborough Fair - Gorgeously beautiful song!
@sourisvoleur48547 ай бұрын
One of the very highest points in my life was Paul Simon performing this, solo, at the apron of the stage, on the "Born at the Right Time" tour. It was just him and his guitar, and every time he sang "Lie la lie" the audience made the percussion sound, saying "Tschhhh!". It was so powerful, it took me to another place. Like I said, it's in the maybe top 5 powerful experiences of my life.
@flingmonkey549410 ай бұрын
This song, to me, is the story of a young man leaving home and venturing out on his own. This leads me to a classic "You Can Never Go Home Again" song, that I deeply love for the pain of losing a family. Try "Pop Tops - Mammy Blue (1971)".
@martinellis715610 ай бұрын
Been loving these songs forever, so it doesn't surprise me they are being rediscovered by people like yourself - I envy you hearing the songs of my youth for the first time! "Turn of the Century" by "YES" is a must to continue your prog journey. Peace.
@davidrauh811810 ай бұрын
Some people criticized his writing as fluff and somewhat immature. Boy did he prove them wrong. One of the great American songwriters, period.
@wendyryder270810 ай бұрын
How on EARTH could they say that Paul Simon’s writing was fluff? How RIDICULOUS! He is a PHENOMENAL writer!
@beeg564 ай бұрын
˚₊⋆。‧˚ This song is an essential paver in the path of my adolescence. ˚‧。⋆₊˚ Everyone who came of age when I did knows every single word of almost every single Simon & Garfunkel song. Thanks for giving this one a little more air time.
@hognaut10 ай бұрын
Everything about this song is just epic, so emotional and my favourite song by the boys
@user-gu1zb6cw6t8 ай бұрын
Paul Simon is an amazing songwriter
@dianegardner721010 ай бұрын
No one has done Scarborough Fair-have loved that since the moment it came out
@terri249410 ай бұрын
I’ve seen a few reactions to it, including one a few days ago. I am surprised that it’s not recommended more often. When I think of S&G that’s one of the top songs that come to mind. Same with I Am a Rock. Cecelia too, but that gets a little more attention. But Scarborough Fair - it baffles me that it’s so neglected. It’s such an amazing song.
@melissakhalar184210 ай бұрын
Such a good song. ❤
@yelljal276410 ай бұрын
Absolutely one of the greatest albums ever published. Every song on it is a pure masterpiece.
@flubblert10 ай бұрын
That build up at the end just screams defiance. "I am leaving I am leaving but the fighter still remains". Jackson Browne and Paul Simon... Two of the great singer-songwriters of a generation in one afternoon. Nice.👍
@michaelpitonak339610 ай бұрын
A lot of folks suggested Scarborough Fair, but, when (not if) you do it, it should be Scarborough Fair/Canticle to really get the full impact of the song.
@thomasa.bradley629210 ай бұрын
That deep boom sound was from the great drummer Hal Bain from the famous sessions band The Wrecking Crew.
@redcaddiedaddie10 ай бұрын
Paul Simon is often mentioned in the pantheon of great singer-songwriters, but not enough recognition is given to his guitar-playing- he's a virtuoso, IMHO!
@gregc24673 ай бұрын
Thank you Shawn for letting the outro play, most idiots ignore it, I think it's the best ever outro 🤩
@maryhuhnke47066 ай бұрын
Pertinent and Powerful ❤
@ritagryphon22210 ай бұрын
Beautiful...
@joelliebler569010 ай бұрын
A legendary tune that one can feel the sweat and heartache from this fighter struggling to survive in a brutal world!in fact Paul, as a solo artist became an even bigger superstar as after one year when Stevie Wonder to a break from doing an album Paul won Grammy of the year for his album Still Crazy After All These Years!
@jimmythetout10910 ай бұрын
When you actually read the way S and G created the various sounds heard on the cut .....you will be amazed .......e.g. they used an elevator shaft for one such sound ..
@patticampana945810 ай бұрын
I love the line a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest! Good one! Thanks✌️
@yelljal276410 ай бұрын
Paul Simon is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, behind only that of Bob Dylan. He most certainly deserves a Nobel Prize.
@ammaleslie5093 ай бұрын
Yes please yes please PLEASE give it to him while he is still alive and still with us!!!
@roborr528710 ай бұрын
The crashing sound was a type writer thrown down a lift shaft
@user-ez6vk2bw7q4 ай бұрын
This entire album is a masterpiece. I recommend you check out "El Condor Pasa", "Cecilia", "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright" and "The Only Living Boy in New York".
@SpuzzyLargo10 ай бұрын
A fantastic "runaway " song by Paul Simon is "Duncan" from his 2nd solo album.
@mysterychuck10 ай бұрын
Looking forward to you reacting to Don McLean's "American Pie" one day. Hopefully soon.
@terridostal134810 ай бұрын
The Boxer and Bridge over Troubled Waters are 2 of my favorites.
@elizabethavolck77842 ай бұрын
The "lie lie lie" is exactly what it means....the boxer that was leaving was never leaving, everything was a lie.
@tomh175410 ай бұрын
What can you say, Paul Simon was one of the premier song writers of the 60's, right their with Dylan, and he could certainly sing better. So much great music from these guys .My favorite song from him is Iam A Rock. A dark sardonic song to be sure, Paul was not in a good place when he wrote that one, for good or bad it hits home with me. America is another dynamic tune you might enjoy....be well
@terri249410 ай бұрын
Bad times can produce some really great art.
@suecook132610 ай бұрын
Both America and I Am A Rock are favorites of mine!! He needs to do both, definitely!
@yelljal276410 ай бұрын
If any other songwriter besides Bob Dylan deserves the Nobel Prize it is most certainly Paul Simon.
@beverlybrown26739 ай бұрын
IMO, Paul's lyrics are second only to Bob Dylan's in complexity, beauty, and truth about the human condition.
@margiewilson432410 ай бұрын
Some of the best lyrics ever.
@plantfeeder667710 ай бұрын
Best S&G song you've done so far. May I suggest America and American Tune by just Paul Simon himself. For their early stuff Scarborough Fair is a favorite of mine as is Patterns and Homeward Bound.
@andrewclayton418110 ай бұрын
This is primarily a Paul Simon production. Art went off to Mexico to take part in the film Catch 22. ( c/f Only living boy in New York.) Paul went to extreme lengths to get the sounds he wanted. Recording in a church to get echoes, and beating a drum in a lift shafts to get massive reverb. It took months to do, but the result was worth it. Their tracks ere often well crafted, and thought about. Try their take on Scarborough Fair.
@johnanderson809610 ай бұрын
My Childhood... LUCKY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@rk41gator10 ай бұрын
One of their best. No lie. lie. lie.
@29tinkypoo9 ай бұрын
pure ear candy
@custardflan10 ай бұрын
My favorite S&G song. Another good one that gets some airplay in stadiums is Cecilia.
@kmach100010 ай бұрын
I've always interpreted it as a glove hitting a punching bag. Another epic crescendo! You can't go wrong with S&G! "America" is another great song. But, anyway, all their songs are great!
@bradlymiller493610 ай бұрын
There is a missing verse. Simon and Garfunkel usually add this following verse when they play live. Now the years are rolling by me They are rockin' evenly I am older than I once was And younger than I'll be and that's not unusual. No it isn't strange After changes upon changes We are more or less the same After changes we are more or less the same
@jons.10510 ай бұрын
I've never been sure when he sings "Lie, lie, lie" if he's lying to us or lying to himself. Or being told to lie down.
@rubroken10 ай бұрын
I've read that he used the"li, li li" as fill ins because he was having trouble with lyrics, and eventually kept them in. True?
@tcanfield10 ай бұрын
@@rubroken I think you’re right. It seems like an alternative to “doo-doo-doo”.
@jons.10510 ай бұрын
@@rubroken I'm not sure, but the lyric search shows it as spelled lie-lie-lie. And if he's a boxer, maybe he's being told like Rocky to stay down after a knock-out.
@rubroken10 ай бұрын
@@jons.105 My spelling is just my spelling, yours is probably right. My point was I heard that they were just fillers at first
@terri249410 ай бұрын
@@jons.105 I’ve heard it both ways and I suspect both are true. It started as a filler but he ended up keeping it. The spelling is because he was frustrated with the record company, and he felt like they were lying to him. The boxer is a metaphor for the struggles he was going through, not having a clue that he would spend over half a century as one of the most successful and respected singer/songwriters of his generation.
@uncnorseman267010 ай бұрын
One of the greatest laments of all time...
@bobdelp202310 ай бұрын
HEY NOWWWWW, VERY NICE GIB, VERY NICE!!!👍😊
@tresianyfb586510 ай бұрын
Imagine entering show with 2 paper tablets n just letting it all unfold
@jonthomson839210 ай бұрын
👍👍👍👍👍
@gforce406310 ай бұрын
I am a rock
@lynnieiapichino112110 ай бұрын
☮️💙💙💙🔥🔥🔥😎
@M.B.ChalliesNZ5 ай бұрын
🌿♥️🇳🇿
@rk41gator10 ай бұрын
I have heard some say that the Boxer is Paul Simon. The fighter still remains.
@davidmckenzie42010 ай бұрын
Probably my favorite S&G song. And though a minor point, I love playing the intro notes on guitar.
@MisterWondrous10 ай бұрын
SO much better than their "The Kickboxer"!
@guitgas10 ай бұрын
Being a folk singer in the 60s inevitably meant being compared to Dylan. Dylan is a generational talent, while Paul Simon is "merely" great. Some critics unfairly, in my opinion, criticized him.