Het guys, you've played the acoustic version of "The Sound of Silence" from thei debut album, Wednesday Morning 3 AM. This album was actually a commercial failure and led to the duo disbanding; Simon returned to England, and Art Garfunkel to his studies at Columbia University. In 1965, the song began to attract airplay at radio stations in Boston and throughout Florida. The growing airplay led Tom Wilson, the song's producer, to remix the track, overdubbing electric instruments and drums. This remixed version was released as a single in September 1965. Simon & Garfunkel were not informed of the song's remix until after its release. The remix hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending January 1, 1966, leading the duo to reunite and hastily record their second album, which Columbia titled Sounds of Silence in an attempt to capitalize on the song's success. You should listen to the remixed version also, as it was this version that catapulted them to fame. Could be an "S" to you. :-)

If you want to hear Simon and Garfunkel doing medieval sounding songs, there’s nothing better than Scarborough fair / canticle. Some of the best harmonies you will ever hear!

In the end, with Simon and Garfunkel, you have to let your preconceptions of music go. Paul Simon is one of the best American songwriters and the vocal performance of Art Garfunkel is incomparable. S-tier duo.

The next S&G song you should do is Scarborough Fair/Canticle. Scarborough Fair is an old English ballad. Canticle is a rewriting of an anti war song by Simon with a new melody written by Garfunkel. The two songs and the two voices all interwoven make for an incredible experience.

One of the defining songs of the 60s and of all time

Imagine listening to this song for the first time coming at you over AM radio. How many remember those days?

Paul Simon's "Graceland" album is fantastic.

To me, Sounds of Silence is the epitome of a song that is truly timeless. A haunting melody, and lyrics that take a number of listens to truly unpack.

I always loved how the final lyric to this song, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls In tenement halls and whispered in the sound of silence" was referenced and lampooned by Rush in "Spirit of Radio" when Geddy Lee sang "For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall, concert hall, and echoes with the sound of salesmen." Both brilliant in their own way.

Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair is a fantastic song, that when you analyze the lyrics, it becomes so much more powerful.

Scarborough Fair/Canticle is definitely the next to hit, really hits on the medieval vibe and is a masterclass of harmonies.

It’s hard to believe that this version was released in ‘64. It was really ahead of its time in terms of composition and production. It never ceases to take my breath away. Just a perfect song. The electric overdub version released in ‘65 is incredible, too. Another song from The Graduate you should react to is “Scarborough Fair/Canticle.” It’s atmospheric and beautiful and full of autumn vibes. It’s also my favorite S&G song.

Rate their electric version too. That was the hit version, I think.

“El Condor Pasa” is one of their most underrated songs. ✌️

This song came out when I was still at school and still gives me goosebumps all these years later. It is one of the most beautiful songs ever written with those gorgeous S & G harmonies . It is a classic and has S written all over it!!

I'll echo others - this is the acoustic version, and gorgeous as it is, it isn't the version that catapulted them to fame. Check out the radio version, it's also amazing.

One of the most iconic songs of any generation. Paul Simon is a genius song writer and he had never let himself be chained to the wall, being limited to one particular style of music. The progression of his writing, both lyrically and musically would make for an excellent documentary which would delve more deeply into his entire catalog of work than the EXCELLENT “Under African Skies” documentary which dealt primarily with the making of his Graceland album. You should now react to Disturbed’s version of Sound of Silence and witness David Draiman’s remarkable interpretation! Either one of official video or the live performance on The Conan O’Brien Show will astound you! I really appreciate and enjoy the way you react to the music you bring. Proud to belong to the A&A family……

I think a song like this is the definition of S-tier. Immediately iconic - covered by musicians of every genre and generation. I've heard this at weddings AND at funerals. It's been played in bars and in churches. It is timeless and relatable to literally everyone who hears it. Not even my favorite S&G song, but it is, in a way, a perfect song. (next: "America", "Only Living Boy In New York")

I don't think this song is about sleeping. It's more about the lack of communication that plagues society. "People talk without speaking. People hear without listening" A line like "People writing songs that voices never share" really illustrates the tragedy of people not sharing their creative gifts because of fear of what others will think. Other great lines in this song are" Silence like a cancer grows" for which I picture a married couple drifting further and further apart as they fail to communicate and "and the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made" which I interpret as the fact that television has contributed to the lack of communication in society. Definitely should be an S tier song.

Imagine hearing this in 1965 as a 17yr old. The song stands on it's own. I'm sorta glad I experienced the music of the 60s and 70s as an "innocent".

Speaking of S&G in medieval times, play Scarborough Fair! It's a traditional English ballad tracing back at least to the 1600s. Their take on it in the 1960s is amazing.

Truly iconic…Don’t use that word lightly. Happy Monday! Ps…I now have the urge to watch The Graduate. For the 50th time.

Greatest song of all time. You need to listen to the words multiple times to grasp what they are saying about society... and it resonates even MORE today, with people standing next to each other but both staring at their phones and not talking. It is today's society in a song. People hearing without listening...

Art Garfunkel is widely regarded as the best harmonizer ever. The harmonies is what makes Simon & Garfunkel songs the creme de la creme.

Historically - this is an S tier song - as it hold up immensely - even more so - after 50 years. The Sound of Silence captures the essence of a utopian future where people put their phones to their faces and with ear buds basically ignore each other as they stay in their own little world.

This is definitely an S tier come on guys 😊

The line "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenements halls" is called back to by Rush in "Spirit of Radio" during the 'reggae' section where Neil Peart wrote "The words of the profits are written on the studio wall, concert halls"

The Everly Brothers as a duo will also land nicely on your ears. Their vocal harmonies remain the standard by which all who followed are measured

Now, you have to do the live version from their reunion concert in Central Park. It's breathtaking.

My English teacher in HS had us study the lyrics of this song as poetry. Paul Simon is a poet first, a singer second.

In September 1981 Simon & Garfunkel got back together for a concert in Central Park, it was filmed and shown on HBO, and you can watch it on KZfaq. I was there about 30 feet from the stage, in a crowd of over 500,000, something I’ll never forget. When they played this song the entire crowd went silent, it was incredible.

This song, and it’s impact…. definitely an “S”. Greatness can be beautifully simple.

Any beautifully written and performed song that still makes your hair stand up nearly 60 years later is not only an S but one of the best songs of all time. This is one of those, IMO.

"I am a Rock" is another great S&G song - I strongly suggest a listen! Thanks! Love you guys! 😙 😙

I always thought that Garfunkel sounds like an angel harmonizing with Simon. I still remember the live concert in Central Park. It was amazing!

Sound of Silence was the first album I ever purchased. It was 1967 and I was 12 years old. It started me on a lifelong musical journey! We were lucky enough to live halfway between Boston and New York City and we picked up radio stations from both places.

When Neil Peart wrote, “and the words of the profits were written on the studio walls and concert halls - and echoes with the the sound of salesmen” is a direct reference to this song. Peace from Toronto!

This is the original acoustic version. The radio hit has a backing band and is much better.

I am surprised it took you guys so long to do this one. Let there be no doubt this was a HUGE song as far as it's influence on later artists and its over all influence on culture.

This acoustic version is great, but most people are familiar with the version that became a hit after S&G had broken-up and their manager or producer added electric guitar and drums. I'd assume A&A would like that version more because of the added instrumentation.

A brilliant song by Paul Simon. You ought to tackle Homeward Bound next.

I think this was basically their first song. I had the 45 and listened to it over and over. So beautiful I had never heard anything like it. S tier. Historic actually.

“Scarborough Fair/Canticle” is another great S&G song. “America” and “The Only Living Boy in New York” are also great.

This is their first #1 hit, the one that kept them together and making a second album (and another 3 after that). Check out America, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, I am a Rock, Hazy Shade of Winter, and then the whole last album: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Cecilia, Baby Driver, The Only Living Boy in New York. The last is about their impending break-up, and hits hard.

This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE SONGS. I firmly believe Paul Simon is SUPERIOR to Bob Dylan as a lyricist. Also, if you want a powerful recent cover, I HIGHLY recommend Disturbed’s version. Paul Simon himself gave it his stamp of approval 👍

This is an S for me. Incredible.

An ABSOLUTE MUST HEAR Classic,, Simon & Garfunkel "Scarborough Fair/Canticle"...Nuff Said.

You should check out "Homeward Bound". Great stuff.

I LOVE THIS SONG!!! You still need to hear Paul Simon's "Late in the Evening," particularly the version from Simon and Garfunkel's concert in Central Park.

Cool, I never heard the original version of the song before. Paul Simon is one of the greatest songwriters (lyrics and music) and musicians in rock history.

"The Only Living Boy in New York" - is my favorite S and G song.

Paul Simon wrote this & it was originally released in 1966. In 1981, they gave a free concert in Central Park. 500,000 showed up.

One of my favorite S&G songs! It's generally about lack of communication and people not talking to each other, which is extremely relevant today. Disturbed does such an amazing cover to this song, updated for the current times.

Hard to believe this version wasn't successful, it's a masterpiece.

One of their best songs IMO. Please check out Scarborough Faire. It’s just as beautiful. 😅edit: Speaking of a song coming to the writer in a dream and waking up to hurriedly to write it down Joe Lynn Turner (one of the singers for Deep Purple and Rainbow) said that is how his song Street Of Dreams came to him. There is a very cool rockin’ version by Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow and an acoustic version that I enjoy just as much (Joe Lynn Turner Acoustic In Glasgow Street Of Dreams). Please consider reacting to it. I’d beg if I thought it would do any good. It’s one of my favorite songs and I really think you guys will like it too. ✌️❤️

In one of my college poetic literature classes, around 1971, my beautiful female 30-ish professor, who I believe I was crushing on at the time, played a recording of this song in class one day, and then assigned us the task of dissecting the lyrics, along with other contemporary music of that time. Needless to say, I never missed one of her classes.

Glad to hear you guys had an extended session with The Police. They were the biggest band in the world when they stepped away from it all after the Synchronicity album and tour. They passed that title to U2.

One of the most beautiful duets in the history of pop music. "The Sound of Silence" showcases both of their voices and they blend together perfectly; definitely greater than the sum of Simon and Garfunkel. Extraordinary tune!! ✌✌

The most epic lyric from this song that I always remember and hits me for "any time of history" is >"Silence like a cancer grows". SO INCREDIBLY TRUE!

So just a couple years ago Disturbed did a cover of this song. You must react to the live performance on the Conan Show that they did. It's amazing!

I have an out-of-the-box suggestion for you. I just recently watched the Foo fighters tribute to their drummer. His son played the drums. And boy did he play the drums. What an amazing talent at only 17 years old. I think you should really watch this. Thanks 💜

Such a masterfully written song, very melancholic. 👍

I had no idea all these years that there was an original acoustic version! Never heard anything but the radio version. I thought it was the only one.

There are several more hit S&G songs such as "America" "The Only Living Boy in New York" and "I Am a Rock". However, I think A&A would most appreciate their 1975 hit reunion song *"My Little Town"* because it has a lot more going on instrumentation- and production-wise.

This song is about as perfect as a song can get. A pure Classic. Relevant and timeless…

Garfunkel has the higher voice. His solo effort “99 Miles From LA” is a must listen.

You really need to do Disturbed version of Sounds of Silence. It is an incredible take on this song and very powerful in a different way.

This never fails to give me goosebumps. NEVER.

Disturbed did a killer version of this. You should definitely hit that just for your own enjoyment. "Hello, darkness, my old friend." isn't as deep as it sounds. Simon had said in an interview in the 70s that he wrote a lot of his songs in a small bathroom because of the acoustics. Unfortunately, the lightbulb would burn out a lot, so there you go, "the darkness" is actually just darkness.

Their use of dynamics is just amazing for a song that is just two voices and an acoustic guitar. The volume rose and fell with spectacular emotional resonance!

Such great harmonies! Especially when you remember this was recorded in one take in the early 60s.

This has special meaning to me as my dad would play this when I was a child in the late 60's it really hits home when I hear scarborough fair which was his home town in England and I actually have been to the real fair as a child now I'm in 60's it brings back beautiful memories when life was simple

A&A you should listen to Disturbed's cover of the Sound of Silence, the studio version, heck watch the official music video too because it's great. Dozens if not hundreds of KZfaqrs have reacted to it so perhaps you're aware of it. It's just such a beautiful reimagining of the song with a slightly hard rock vocal arrangement that doesn't lose the subtleties of S&G's performance.

This takes me back to my youth. About 1988 specifically, my parents listened to S&G a lot when I was a kid. I'm in my 40s now and probably haven't heard this acoustic version for over 20 years, what a breath of fresh air. I think this is so much better than the overdubbed one. Great reaction, thanks!

A gem song on their third album is “ Patterns”. Haunting and rhythmic with impeccable harmonies.

'Homeward Bound' is a beautiful classic of theirs, too.

You hit it exactly, for people of my generation this is an S-tier song. It had so much impact at the time it was written.

I remember seeing them live. Great show. Their last song, on their third encore, was Sound of silence. It was just the two of them on stage. Meanwhile, while they sang this, they bussed the band out of the venue before the crowds all tried to leave

Thanks guys, for listening to this beautiful, iconic song. My suggestion for the next S & G song is "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her"

The “Disturbed“ version of this song is a totally different vibe… Super powerful. You should check it out soon.

The last verse of this song is emulated in the last verse of Rush"s "The Spirit of Radio." The sounds of salesmen...

Did you catch the line that Rush paid homage to in Spirit of the Radio?

They sang "the words of the prophet are written on the subway walls and tenement halls", so I think you're OK with drinking a beer instead of something fancy.

I agree with Paul Romeo, who wrote a fantastic article in 2018 regarding the meaning of these lyrics, where he states that their central meaning are the dangers of societal indifference, spiritual shallowness. It’s an absolute must read!

I grew up with this song in an era when “folk” had a legit place, right next to rock, especially for songs of social message, like this one. In that context it is iconic and absolutely an S-tier song. By today’s measure maybe not so much. To see what can be done with this message in a rock setting I really urge you listen to the studio video version by Disturbed. It’s not their normal metal fare but it is definitely highly impactful.

this version of the song will always be among my favorite songs... I love the Boxer and Bridge over Troubled Waters a bit more... but this song says things to your soul.

Simon was living at his parents house when he wrote this. He was really depressed following the assassination of President Kennedy. He already had the melody. At his parents he would often sit in the bathroom in the dark and play tunes until he came to some lyrics. When he played this melody the first words that came to him in the dark of bathroom were, "Hello darkness my old friend." Genius us just genius!

Their "Homeward Bound" is worth listening to, as well.

One of my favorite S&G songs. Timeless classic!

As far as other S & G songs, definitely Bridge over Troubled Water. It is only Art Garfunkel on the vocals but it is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

I heard this for the first time at my babysitter's in 1968, I was 9 years old and remembered it ever since, big Simon and Garfunkel fan.

.....you two, with your appreciation of a wide variety, and attempts to listen in perspective, relative to the time the music was created, are simply the best. Even when I think "uh oh, this might have pushed the boundaries of their eclecticism too far", you amaze me.... your appreciation of groove, under-stated playing, and most of all LYRICS make me smile, and give me hope for the future of music..... roll'em easy

You should also check out Disturbed's cover of this song, preferably the live version on Conan O'Brien. It is effectively the yang to S & G's yin acoustic original. Powerful stuff.

As others have already mentioned, the cover by Disturbed will not disappoint!

Posting before you review, after the song. I'm 57...this, as I'm sure you know, is an EPIC song. I got goosebumps once again, listening to it.

One of the five most iconic songs of the sixties. Without a doubt this is a S tier song

Always a top 5 all-time song for me. The two greatest songwriters in Rock history are both named Paul.

The single best harmonized vocals in the history of pop/rock

I was not a S&G fan back in the 60's it wasn't till I was in my 40's that I truly appreciate this song. The words say so much.

This isn't just a song, it's an experience! From their album, 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme', you must listen and react to the last track, '7 o'clock News/Silent Night'. It carries so much meaning, with the two elements of the track in complete complete contrast. It's a must listen!