I’m 55 and I believe this is the most powerful song I’ve ever heard

Welcome to the world of classically trained metal vocalists

I’m 69. I used to hear the original Simon and Garfunkel song all the time growing up. I always though it was a great song…but kinda of light and fluffy. But this cover was phenomenal! And it brought out the true meaning of the original lyrics. It’s clearly a masterpiece!

Another reactors commentor said, The original sounds like a warning, this sounds like anger that the warning was not heeded. I agree.

I like the reviewer's interpretation. The interesting thing is the original song was written way before social media and yet it is so applicable today. Timeless masterpieces are like that.

I LOVE hearing a younger generation hearing the song for the first time. No, it has nothing to do with social media…. But history repeats itself in different ways

My favorite reactions to this song tend to be those with heavy emotions. I love watching people freak out over quality that's truly worthy of it. That's why I keep hunting for reactions to this song over and over again. However, your reaction is impressive for a different reason. Something that is honestly very rare. Go check out other reactions yourself to verify my claims. In particular, look for reactions to the theatrical release, because that is the only version that has the music video as well. The reason why I am impressed with you is because you took everything in. You paid attention to the lyrics, you examined what it might mean to you, you paid attention to the vocals and the instruments, and you examined the visual video itself and attempted to figure its symbolic meaning. You also compared it to a historical context. On nearly every level, you really paid attention to the message and disseminated it. Well DONE, Sir! Give yourself a pat on the back, along with my like that caused your 267 like.

This song was written in 1963 by Paul Simon. It was about censorship of music by the powers that be, and the direction music was taking. Disturbed have taken it and explained it, in the most powerful rendition of a song I have ever heard. I LISTENED, I know what the powers that be are doing. I am only one man.

You turn it up, close your eyes and just feel the music and you can't help but break down and cry.

God when creating david: would you like the voice of an angel or devil? David: yes

An anthem for the times. 50 years old and just as relevant today as it ever was. Great reaction thanks for sharing.

Experienced. That is the only word to describe hearing this song. You don’t “listen” to it. You don’t dance to it. You EXPERIENCE it. Simon & Garfunkel gave us the poetry, David Draiman gave us the warning

I saw on another reaction video of this cover the best comment ever. It said, "Simon and Garfunkel's version was a warning and Disturbed's version is the rage felt because no one listened".

I am 63 and when this song came out I was just a little girl, but so taken with the song, that it's the first one I learned all the lyrics to. Thank you for such a heartfelt reaction. I have just recently discovered Disturbed through this song and have watched every reaction to it. I also ventured out into the rest of their music and LOVE it. I was never a 'metal' fan....closest thing I listened to in 'rock', if you want to call it that, was Dave Matthews :) Music is the saving grace for coping with my disabilities and I am forever grateful to both the artists who perform these beautiful songs AND those who entertain me by reacting to them. Thank you!

I have watched a lot of "reactors" do this song, and you are one of only a few that really got what the song was actually about. Keeping in mind the song is 50 years old, it's so powerful. You did a magnificent job. Thanks!!!! P.S. I am a "aged" fan, so I was well familiar with the song. You have a new subscriber because of this reaction.

I am 76 years old and saw Simon and Garfunkel perform this in concert. This is absolutely the best cover of any song I've ever heard in my life. I've listened to it almost daily since my grandson introduced me to Disturbed. I'm not a heavy metal fan, but this guy!!!!! Wow. Gives me goosebumps every time.

The "silence" in this song is disconnection - each of us talking without being heard, each of us with stories (songs) that we're writing without being able to share them, peoples' voices unable to break through that silence, and the lack of connection growing and growing, with no one able to break through it, to connect.

I grew up listening to Simon and Garfunkel's version (I'm 69 yrs.old). I have listened to this version a LOT and I never get tired of it. It's fun to go out and watch all the reaction videos of it. I hope David Draiman does more covers that are as powerful as this one! LOVE IT!!

Your most attentive reaction deserves a subscription. Having watched over a hundred reactions to this masterpiece you are one of the best! Well done.

When this song was written there was no social media. I actually think it's about failing to see what is in front of you because you are to busy chasing material things. It was originally done in a folk style it was powerful then, this is more.

Listen to the original from Simon and Garfunkel. That was the warning. It was ignored. This is the resulting battle cry.

This son seems even more relevant today than when it was first released. Simon and garfunkle wrote the powerful words and melody and Disturbed hit it home with the rendition. So powerful and great reaction!

Every time I listen to this I’m always amazed how Paul Simon could see into the future when he wrote the lyrics, they relate to our modern day society and thinking. Probably the most powerful song ever written and I’m pleased David carried that through into his rendition 👌🏼

You seem to get it pretty well. Simon and Garfunkel wrote this in the '60's and sang it in a very passive way. They were warning society of what was coming. Disturbed is now shouting the same message at us and we must wake up before it's too late to recover. Think carefully about the lyrics.

This song and Disturbed hits you right in you're Heart and your Soul. This man's Voice is Beautiful and sooooo powerful.

This song is my favorite to watch people react to!! I go out of my way to search it. David has the voice of an angry yet soothing god lol 🖤🖤🖤

Considering that the song was written back in the 60s, I would say that this is the most prophetic song ever written.

Great reaction. I spend a lot of my time watching reactions to this song, and you are the first, I think, that has come close to interpreting its meaning. From the introductory verses where he simply explains that he had a dream, to the way people try to say anything of real importance (writing songs that voices never share) but cannot be heard (hearing without listening), while the rest of the population just prattle and don't say anything of real importance (talking without speaking). The way his voice starts with sadness, builds to frustration, and finally hits the crescendo with anger. The only thing I would say is take away the word "social" from "media" - social media was not even a concept when this song was written, but the media was already in full swing, TELLING us what is meaningful or not. And God help anyone who thought differently.

magnum opus. Ive been watching these reaction videos for six straight hours of the same song over and over. I cry almost every time. it is awesome seeing how the people are blown away. I think they changed music with this performance.

David Draiman...a voice to die for. A powerful yet soulful voice that can go from warm baritone to angelic tenor, from clear as a crystal to rasp/distortion and back on a dime. He has a timbre in his voice that I've never heard before.....just hauntingly beautiful and pure tonal properties to it! An awesome talent and obvious training to deliver what he does!! Can sing like an angel or the devil ! Loved your reaction and your take on David's performance Suffi. Try "Deceiver", "The Night", "Indestructible" and "Violence Fetish" by Disturbed too.

I am 76. About a year ago, I heard this version. I called my younger son to tell him about it and told him that I had heard Simon & Garfunkel and this song for years and now I understand it. I, too, have been watching reactions to this song. I am sure some people will tell you to look up the Conan O'Brien Show video of this song to watch; it will be worth your time to do it. There is a better orchestral backing thanks to the label. David Draiman was sick that night but still nailed this song. Several people who were in the audience commented that the applause and standing ovation lasted for about 10 minutes. That presentation got a Grammy nomination.

I literally get the chills everytime I hear this. In my opinion this is one of the best covers of a song ever!!!!! It just gets me in the feels!! I love love love it xxx

I have watched a few reactions to this fantastic re-imagining of 'The sound of silence', and I have to say your interpretations of the words are impressive. Very few people take the time to actually break down the meaning of the lyrics. Another thing that needs attention is the images in the video itself, a particular fav of mine is at the end when the boat with all the instruments is crossing the water going towards the people, who are all holding song sheets in their hands....very open to interpretation but I like to think of it as the people getting their voice back :-)

I'm sitting here crying with shivers down my spine

This young man got the message of the song. They wrote it about our society. I think they were ahead of their time when they wrote it.

I know it's been 3 years since you posted this video, but I found this reaction today. I just have to tell you that this is by far the best reaction video I've ever watched. I can tell how much you love music and the story telling of a great song. You are so well spoken and observant. You take the time to really listen to the lyrics and and then share with us what you think they mean. And i love how you took a song that has been around for so long and explain exactly how it is relevant for today's society. Job well done! I am about to journey down the rabbit hole of your videos and I'm so excited.

Another iconic cover is Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt," written by Trent Reznor of 9-inch Nails. It's a deep song, and Mr. Cash does an epic job.

He took his piercings out in I think 2018. He said in an interview that he had started to "feel weird walking around looking like a 45 year old Hot Topic kid". He also said "they were a pain in the butt".

I'm 61 and Bridge Over Troubled Water was always my favorite of theirs...even though I learned to play many of their songs on my piano growing up. Now, at my age, after watching this cover, I am thoughly convinced that this is the most incredible awakening I have experienced! Not only is David's voice beautiful, it is full of emotion. Not only could you hear it, but you could see it in his face. The pure artistry behind the video is phenomenal and moving. I cried as I finally understood what Paul Simon was correctly prophecying. I got a very similar impression that you did. It was profound. I must have listened and watched this video 20 times before I stopped burying out in tears. Since I first heard this, I have seen quite a few interviews with David and I was truly impressed with who he is as a person and performer. He was classically trained and together with his natural talent and ability to FEEL what he is singing tells me a lot about his character. And about the piercings....I am not a fan of them and to each his own....reminds me not to stereotype nor judge a book by it's cover. ❤

I think your reaction to this cover is my favorite, you're paying so much attention and you clearly understand the song and it's impacting you. A++ to your reaction. there's a comment I read on a different video that I love and it said that the original song was a warning of what is to come if were not carful and Disturbed's version is like a call to war on what has happen.

The breakdown of human race (which is happening right now) Neon GODS WE MADE are your phones and computers ...nobody talking.. (always on the phones...IPADS) ..... SILENCE....

Bro, this was written in the 60’s but the words reverberate still today

I grew up with these songs like 50 years old. My own father takes my CDs. he has started to like modern music. He is 70 years old.

Oh my gosh you truly hear this song. I have watched reactions for hours today and you made me tear up because you get it.

David Draiman....one of THE BEST vocalist's we have out there! Soooo damn talented!! Quality voice!! Can sing ANYTHING!!!

I cant listen to this song without getting goosebumps and tears in my eyes everytime. I think he captured the utter hopelessness that the lyrics of this song try to convey unlike Simon and Garfunkel's version. You would probably like his song Darkness if you like is soft calm voice. Its a slow song but its also beautiful. Thanks for giving this song a chance. I really love it.

You aren't getting carried away, for a first time listener, you NAIL the meanings in the song. (Neon lights then = social media and cell phones now). Great job

I am 75 and know this song since it first came out and have always loved the peaceful quality and lovely harmony of the original. But this version OMG. Wow. I never really listened to or got the message from the lyrics till now. Paul Simons was way ahead of his time and what a song writer. Wow the most powerful song I have heard and is 75 years I have heard many.

Dude….you totally got it!! 🙏🙌💖💖💖 even now, in November 2022, I use this song as a warm-up to my gym workouts. And as I’m warming up in my gym, I still have a glint in my eye because it still brings me to tears after listening to it a Bajillion times!🤣🤣🤣

The lyrics are from 1964 and one would have to be aware of the world at this time. Can you relate it to the world today, yes !!! But the concern in 1964 was that the folk music movement of the 50' s and early 60's and their powerful messages were being pushed away by the British Rock Invasion where the beat and tune were now what the youth was looking for and no messages in the music to hear. Slainte

I’m old enough to have Simon and Garfunkel on my playlists, yet young enough to call out the same “neon god” that you did. While Paul Simon was not thinking of the internet in 1964, it’s existence today has closed the loop on his prophetic warning. As you said, so much talking going on, yet little valuable information is being shared. We retreat into our clicks and speak self affirming drivel to others that think like us. All this to the detriment of society (like a cancer). Where’s the boat that we need to cross that river? This cover is approaching a billion views now. That’s no accident. I think it’s touching a lot of people. “Thank you” to Dave Draiman and Disturbed for writing these lyrics on the subway walls and giving us another chance to listen to the words.

When a song gives you goosebumps every single time you hear it, you know it has a unique power & magic

Despite being sick at the time the live Conan performance is phenomenal

Your analysis of this song is spot on. I love how you are able to take the lyrics from 1964 and find them to be relevant today. Well done, well done. I'm 58yrs old and I even learned some things from you. Thank you. Thanks for your honesty.

This song is almost 60 years old. Voices have been silenced since long before the advent of social media.

Before playing “The Sound of Silence” live in 1966 Paul Simon said: “One of the biggest hang-ups we have today is the inability of people to communicate. Not only on an intellectual level but on an emotional level as well. So you have people unable to touch other people, unable to love other people. This is a song about the inability to communicate. It’s called the Sound of Silence.”

The entire band and studio personnel were CRYING when he came out of the sound booth. Simon and Garfunkel told them. "This is THEIR song now" that says a lot. Lol Check out the live version on conan....he was SICK af and still NAILED it.

The song is being sung the way it should be. Not placid, not gentle, but angered by humanity for not fixing the problems.

Paul Simon was a prophet in 1963 when he dreamed of 10,000 people bowing to a neon light.

Brother, your analysis of this is fantastic. Songs like this are like great works of art. Meant to be interpreted by the listener to evoke feelings and thought. There really is no one way to interpret it. It’s about what it means to you, and hearing you work through the lyrics as they came and seeing the comprehension of the song as it progressed was AMAZING to see. The meaning to most people is pretty timeless. And the fact that some 50 odd years after it was first written, it still has meaning and is poignant and applicable today is both amazing and kinda sad. Great job. You got yourself a new subscriber.

You understand. Thank you, wake the rest of your generation up!

I am 54 years old and I LOVE this cover!!

he has the piercings bc he wanted them. and not painful. he’s an artist expressing himself in the ways he is moved to do so.

I’m 59. I just wonder how amazed you were to find out this was written the year I was born. 1963. It was the counter culture of the 60s. It does parallel with present day because history repeats.

YOU NAILED IT. Social media - talking without speaking, hearing without listening. Paul Simon wrote this in response to a tumultuous time in US history, so poignant for 2020 too. Powerful song.

Sir, you were spot on with your analysis. This song is a warning to us all. If you notice we no longer communicate without social media and those of us trying to speak are being silenced by sensorship. Its almost as if we have given up the will to fight, thus we give in to the silence. Its amazing that this song was written 60 years ago, and it is equally amazing that you are such a perceptive young man.

I was a young woman when this came out in 1966. This was a time of war both in Vietnam and here where black americans were being beaten and shot in the streets for trying to be free. Many of the songs from that time were addressing the issues of our society. Society did not listen then, as recent events have shown, they still are not listening. This song is a warning, we still aren't listening.

Simon gave this song to David after he heard this version. When Simon wrote this song he was talking about TV being introduced to society...David has made it apply to social media now. This song is timeless...

My belief is that both Simon and Disturbed interpreted the song differently and thus the song being performed from opposite view points. The original version is performed almost in a folksy manner, taking nothing away from the great original version. The Disturbed version however dug deeply into the lyrics and made the cover their own. They know exactly how this song pertains to today's society and how the lyrics hold a certain profoundness to what we are experiencing today. That is why I think this cover version by Disturbed is iconic. Simon was right when he said that people should interpret the song on a personal level which is exactly what Disturbed accomplished when they took this wonderful old song and made it their own. Amazing!!

David has one of the most beautiful powerful voices ever ❤️

Keep in mind that these lyrics were written by Simon a lot of years before social media.

Remember this was written in 1964 by Paul Simon. So the lyrics weren't meant for today but seem to be more relevant today.

Great reaction! This is the only version that Paul Simon endorsed, and praised on his website.

Although Simon and Garfunkle wrote this song, they could never convey this timeless message that Disturbed achieved..Absolutely brillant renditon of this song.. David Dramen of Disturbed is amazing .. hands down....

I'm 55. How amazing that this was made so long ago, and then it was almost like a vision, to become even more relevant today! Very powerful, both then and now. Chilling, and yet so much like a prophet's vision, both versions done in 2 different ways, but gripping of the soul. Awesome vocals gives it an almost surreal feeling. Other than that, I'm almost speechless. Fantastic!

Disturbed’s version hits all your musical senses…You see it, feel it, and hear it all in a powerful crescendo into finally uniting the music with the musicians…Brilliant! Thanks for your well felt reaction! I love watching reaction videos of songs that move my soul…However, this cover by ‘Disturbed’ is always stopped for reaction just as it’s building to a new level…99% of male reactors do this, and I have to be honest and descriptive here (wives will understand what I mean🫢)… It’s like the act of physical love being expressed and you are in a rhythmic flow toward a beautiful climax and suddenly… your 6 yo. is knocking on the bedroom door…🙄🫤 Thanks for your beautiful reaction… 🦋Lily🦋

Hard to believe this was written 50 years ago!

Your facial reactions say it all !!! This is an amazing cover of a brilliant song, 1st done by Simon & Garfunkel warning us, if we don't change our ways we are headed for destruction, & Disturbs version is angry, because we didn’t listen to the warnings 😌

It is Amazing how a song released almost 60 years ago still rings true today. This cover is AMAZING

One could almost offer a college-accredited course on this tune. There’s the original soft lamentation that was Paul Simon’s, who was reacting to Kennedy’s assassination. This tune was a hit in 1964. The neon god was television and being told what we need(what to buy). People would come home from work, have dinner, and watch TV all night. This song is so prescient, because we have multiplied that by 1,000,000. We’re all buried in our phones, and our communication is so much less because we have our silos and we are meaner because we feel more anonymous on the internet. The second message was brought by Disturbed through the video, which was people unearthing their instruments in a post apocalyptic world. Then across this great gulf of water were the songwriters. And at the end, the players put all their instruments in the boat and crossed the gulf, to be united.

This is a song that will live on forever...! So glad you did this song.. great job Danny

It's all about the disconnect

Paul was before his time in writing this song, it was in the mid 1960's when no social medial existed, yet actually talking and listening to each other was still an art not oft practiced. What David does with this song is absolutely amazing. I have performed this song many times, but this has put a hold new edge on it for me. I have listened to it hundreds of times. It reaches my soul. with the visuals of the musical instruments, people, and David's look, his piercings, his ambiance adds so much to the overall video.

Pabl Simon wrote this song in 1963. He was 21. It was before it's time . I love this song by Disturbed. I am 66.

Evil exists when good people do nothing

If you think this was good(which let's face it you're so right on the double bop) you should totally check out Pentatonix- Hallelujah maybe not in your normal genres but it may surprise you if you don't know of them already 😊🤭

I agree a hundred percent. While listening to this song for six hours, my analysis immediately took me to the fact that rock singers are the best to sing the most beautiful and touching songs ever. Guns and Roses, Metallica, and the likes. They bring emotions across fenomenall.

As a 70+ lady, I LOVED your reaction to this song... Simon and Garfunkel's lyrics are as relevant today as they were back in the 60's...But so much more powerful sung by David Draiman... I have watched many of the "experts' " reactions and I like yours the best..I cannot stop listening to this version of this song!

The original was a warning. This version, the warning was not heard...

Suggestion. To compare, watch the live version from 2015 from Conan. What few ever mention about it is that he replicates the studio version, SEATED.. and while ill with the flu. It's amazing.

Your comments are so interesting. When this song was written there was no social media but your interpretation is applicable

This song was written in the 1960s. No social media existed. The internet didn’t exist. This is a truly phenomenal cover. The voice, the musical arrangement, the visuals and the way Draiman makes the song feel so deeply relevant almost 60 years later is astonishing. Truly remarkable.

This song gives me chills every time I hear it. I’m assuming you’ve heard Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt, but if you haven’t, do that one lol. Lyrics NF Mansion

"and the people bowed and prayed, to the Neon God they made"! Sounds like our society today. People worship Pop culture instead of God himself.

The song was written in the early 60's a long time before social media. It was written as a reaction to the assignation of JFK. The line people talking without speaking is a line a came to understand several years ago. I was living in a small mountain town. A major forest fire was slated to wipe our town out. An entire town prepped for evacuation knowing that homes and "the things" would likely no longer be there when we returned. A few people brought in moving trucks and choose to take all of their things. Most people choose radical acceptance and prioritized things. Pets, important documents, photographs and sentimental things. The irreplaceable. We all went about doing our preparations. Banking, mail, ect. There was a little bit of time for this. We were connecting with each other, nodding, really looking at each other but not speaking. There was no need for it. We all knew what each other was thinking. We all knew what each other was feeling. To speak would have emotionally been to much to bear. We all shared a very freighting, painful, common knowing and traumatic experience. Everyone single member of the community at the very same time. It was the most unique social phenom I have ever experienced in my life. One I hope to never experience again. There were just simply no words to name the emotion. Overcome is the closest I've ever gotten. At the last moments the winds shifted and our town was spared within an hour of when homes would have started burning. As happy as we all were for this miracle a town a little further away was not so lucky. Survivors quilt is carried by many of us to this day. (This fire was over 20 years ago.) Life quickly returned to normal. It was spoken about for a short while but not for long. People wanted to put it behind them as quickly as possible. This phenom occurred with the American public when this murder occurred. An entire nation shared a very freighting, painful, common knowing and traumatic experience. To not get that line is a really good thing. It has been years yet here today tears are running down my face as I write this.

Social media didn't exist in 1965, when this song was written. The song is timeless. Technology as we know it didn't exist then and the lyrics ring home today.

Please react to Pentatonix! This song or any other of them, you can't go wrong!

this song was written way before social media was ever even thought of, we still watched black & white tv's, lyrics by paul simon, sung by art garfunkle, during the late 1960s about the Vietnam war. on one side of the water were people with the instruments, the other side people holding sheets of music. David Draiman spent the first couple of decades of his life training in the US and Israel to be a cantor, like his world-famous grandfather.

I really love this cover. I liked Simon & Garfunkel back in the day but this song by Disturbed, in my view, has multiple meanings and I think because of the popularity and the reactions it has a greater element of God’s handiwork. There is no doubt a spiritual component to this composition. I don’t know how else to explain it but it’s message is timeless. Thank you Jesus. 🙏🏾

Every time I hear David Draiman's version I am blown away. He's got the most beautiful voice and style WOW