Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (Audio) Reaction/Review

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3 жыл бұрын

Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (Audio) Reaction/Review
Biz Matik Reviews and Reacts to Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (Audio).
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@voidmstr 3 жыл бұрын

The best line: "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."

@dahveed72 3 жыл бұрын

That line alone explains all of human history.

@martyslazenger935 3 жыл бұрын

74 million Americans voted to reelect Donald Trump. It's astounding.

@martyslazenger935 3 жыл бұрын

@Ann Harper Where I lived, the day the race was called for Biden the entire city erupted in celebrations. There were people dancing in the streets, fireworks, people popping champagne, there were so many people in the streets that folks were climbing trees and lamp posts. As far as I can tell, everyone hates Trump with a passion. It's only online that I meet people who think that this obvious conman and criminal is worthy of any office, let alone the highest office in the land.

@joonzville 3 жыл бұрын

@Ann Harper No "they" don’t, at least no one who counted the votes or had anything to do with running the election or election security or anyone who actually knows how our system works. The "they" who declare that Biden didn’t get more votes have been deluded into believing a lie or are the grifters and/or autocrats who gain a lot of money and/or power by convincing people to believe that lie. With 65+ lawsuits they could not come up with even one piece of believable evidence, that’s one of the reasons all the suits have been kicked out, voluntarily withdrawn (judges get *very* irritated at lawyers who tell lies to the court), or lost on the merits. Every state supreme court that got involved shot the cases down, one way or another. The US Supreme Court refused to hear 2 or 3 cases (iirc). All of that happened because there was no/zero/nada/zilch credible evidence of widespread fraud.

@lindahunter4545 3 жыл бұрын

Voidmstr, "A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest" is also my very best line, too. Isn't that the truth!? So , so true. Correct me, if I'm wrong, although both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are great artists, I believe that it was Art Garfunkel who wrote all the songs. Art Garfunkel was the true poet.Their was an issue about that back in the 80's, and I seem to remember something about Paul Simon claiming that he wrote the words to the songs, but l think it is Art Garfunkel that is the true poet here.

@m.d.d4250 2 жыл бұрын

This song is so beautiful it hurts and it's always fresh to me. I cry every time I hear it.

@user-or1ye3iz6d 9 ай бұрын

Same!!! ❤❤❤

@MoMoMyPup10 3 жыл бұрын

It's one of the best written and composed songs ever recorded. Literally flawless.

@PeaceandQuiet12345 Жыл бұрын

I could not agree more!!!

@ifstatementifstatement2704 Жыл бұрын

Scarborough Fair is really impressing lyrically too

@kestrelle5345 3 жыл бұрын

I'm always moved by this song. Don't we all carry the reminders of every glove that laid us down or cut us till we cried out? Yes, we do.

@deannacrownover3 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite part of the song!

@hudahekizzy8402 2 ай бұрын

f*ckin' absolutely friend.

@alanpeterson4939 3 жыл бұрын

He’s comparing himself to a boxer who gets knocked down, cut, scarred, beaten up by life, laid out, but still gets back up and stays in the ring.

@movietimeateds69 2 жыл бұрын

I love how the drums emphasis it. Like a fighters punch.

@michaelharmon1295 2 жыл бұрын

It’s a story of survival and it transcends culture and race... it’s brilliant and haunting

@joonzville 3 жыл бұрын

The boxer is a metaphor for this guy in the song and that he’s a fighter who has been knocked down over and over by his life and keeps getting back up to fight again. Or the boxer could be a metaphor for everyone who’s struggled in life, been kicked around and got back up, maybe without knowing why, we just keep going no matter how bad it gets.

@debbieelholm7921 3 жыл бұрын

We are all boxers. Each of us has endured some form of pain, some more than others. Do we leave? No, we stay and endure some more. Just like a boxer in the ring, they have to stay and endure.

@sheilajenkins8927 3 жыл бұрын

I felt this ...

@PeaceandQuiet12345 Жыл бұрын

this isnt about suicide this song you do realize that

@debbieelholm7921 Жыл бұрын

I didn’t say it was about suicide. It’s about enduring the bouts in a ring. This was Simon’s response to doing bouts with music critics using the boxer in a ring as his analogy.

@carlajenkins1990 2 жыл бұрын

You are right to want to understand the lyrics. In Paul Simon, you are listening to a damn genius. He couldn't get a job in Tin Pan Alley, and he had to go home a failure. He feels like he has gone 15 rounds and lost. 'Til he cried out in his anger and his pain, I am leaving I am leaving." But the fighter still remains.

@bwilliams463 3 жыл бұрын

The grunting, deep-voiced instrument is a bass harmonica, played (I believe) by legendary Harmonica player Charlie Mccoy. It's usually used in country music, often to inject a touch of lightheartedness to a song, but that is clearly not its purpose, here. If you want to hear bass harmonica in its usual setting, listen to 'Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs?' by Tom T Hall.

@JPDillon 3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like there may be a mouth harp in there as well.

@swmita 3 ай бұрын

Also the horn solo was a piccolo trumpet@@JPDillon

@suec9426 2 жыл бұрын

Your intuition is right…the whole album IS a masterpiece.

@sharonsprenger2207 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorites. The lyrics, the music, the harmonies. It’s next to perfect.

@patclark3024 3 жыл бұрын

The Boxer is a great song. The Sound Of Silence is another one to try. Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, and America are all good choices.

@johnckelly88 3 жыл бұрын

I think America is one of their best.

@nicholashilton2514 2 жыл бұрын

All great classics from them. The one that always sticks out to me and gives me shivers down my spine every time is ‘7 O’Clock News / Silent Night’ from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966). Something about it… moves me to tears.

@jacksaintjack2844 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful poetry set to perfect music. This is as good as it gets.

@jacksaintjack2844 2 жыл бұрын

You really, really, really, must react to LIVE TO WIN by Motorhead. It is ACE OF SPADES on rocket fuel.

@DawnSuttonfabfour 3 жыл бұрын

It's the lies they tell themselves to get from one day to the next. "After this I'm going home...but it's a lie.

@paulhadfield7909 3 жыл бұрын

exactly how i read it

@texadan314 3 жыл бұрын

The boxer is my favorite part. "I am leaving, I am leaving" But the fighter still remains. No matter what, you carry on. You remain. I had that album (it may still be at my mother's) and you are right; the whole album was dope.

@markl2322 3 жыл бұрын

The drum beat in the background reminds me of a timing bag. The heavy snare strike in the long ending makes me think of every time he takes a hit to the jaw. The soaring strings and deep reverberations make me think of someone fighting through cities lined with broken bricks, and boarded up houses. That peaceful ending makes me think of the boxer, finally coming to terms with his life, and realizing that he has done what he could, and the rest is in the hands of God. And if you really want to get a true feel for this song, watch the performance Paul Simon gave on Saturday Night Live after 9/11, with the men of the New York City Fire Department lined up as the camera panned over them, and the dust of the World Trade Centers still covered their turn out gear. The chills I got when I saw that live still come when I think of it.

@movietimeateds69 2 жыл бұрын

It represents the punches of the boxer (life beating you down). At least, thats how I interpret it.

@bradroon5538 2 жыл бұрын

Grew up singing along with these 2 geniuses. As you hit their catalog notice the incredible arrangements. They are diverse and so perfectly augment the whole song. The sound you didn't record harmonica.

@NORGCO 3 жыл бұрын

Boxing as a metaphor for life was already established when they created this. As in you can have all the training, and coaching and people cheering you on, but in the end you have to face the pain of life alone. You have to motivate yourself to keep going and keep getting up and getting back into it when you get knocked down and feel humiliated by failing in public.

@JeffSelf 3 жыл бұрын

This is one of the mellow songs out there that you want to turn up the volume for.

@hongfang2508 3 жыл бұрын

Not only is Paul Simon one of the greatest songwriters of the modern era, he is a wicked acoustic guitarist. Those subtle but killer guitar licks you heard in this song were done by Paul Simon. I'm not sure what the instrumentation was that you pointed out but it may be a moog synthesizer. This 'instrument' can create a multitude of sounds and was becoming popular in rock music in the 60s largely due to its use by the Beatles and Paul Simon. Last comment: The amazing vocal you heard in Bridge Over Troubled Waters was Art Garfunkel. The lead vocal on this song was Paul Simon but the 2 men could harmonize like butter and toast. The two grew up together in the NYC area.

@TedHaughawout 3 жыл бұрын

On this song, Paul is playing a straightforward fingerstyle pattern and Fred Carter Jr. is playing, including the intro, all of those "subtle but killer guitar licks."

@ChristopherTate 3 жыл бұрын

Simon is a very good guitarist, but the flatpicking on "The Boxer" is a long-time Nashville session ace named Fred Carter Jr.

@CrazyBillBo 2 жыл бұрын

To me it sounds like a bass harmonica. My dad played one that was quite long and got down to a quite low register

@sdill86 3 жыл бұрын

Love your personality shining through on these reactions

@watchbizmatik 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@brianorzel1873 3 жыл бұрын

He was likening his experience to being a fighter who kept getting knocked down, but kept getting up again. He swore that he was leaving, but he stayed. Lie la-lie...

@jacklewis5452 3 жыл бұрын

Lie Lie Lie

@johnmcbarron7282 3 жыл бұрын

Bass harmonica by Charlie McCoy, the greatest harmonica player in the last 50 years. He’s been on everybody’s records it seems. (If they employ harmonica)

@sarahzentexas 3 жыл бұрын

I think they’re saying that the boy says he’s leaving, going home, but the fighter inside him will always stay in the ring.

@mikemiller3069 3 жыл бұрын

"In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his TRADE", not by his side. And, yes, the whole album is fire. I don't have a huge cd collection but this one is in it and one of my favorites.

@MLeibs 3 жыл бұрын

The repeating drumbeat after lie lie lie 🥁 seems like a boxer’s punch 🥊

@gl15col 2 жыл бұрын

Don't worry, it's takes time to get to the very deep and sad story in this song. But the music is so good, learning it is a pleasure.

@Manageode 3 жыл бұрын

We have the advantage: many repetitive listens to the lyrics, to figure songs out. Looking forward to watching more & more of your reactions. I like reactors who get into the lyrics, too. Good job.

@edwardcrews2952 Жыл бұрын

One of the most beautiful songs ever written and performed

@margiemcpeak9304 3 жыл бұрын

BizMatik! I absolutely love the pure JOY you display from the music you react to! I mean, that's what it's about, right!? What music makes us feel/remember/think PLUS where it transports us to is "the ride"---the experience! I love your channel & don't understand why you don't have more subscribers!!! Wtf⁉️ Keep up your GREAT CONTENT‼🔥

@DawnSuttonfabfour 3 жыл бұрын

p.s I always thought of the big bangs at the end represented punches the Boxer received.

@kestrelle5345 3 жыл бұрын

This.

@HiddenCharmhome 3 жыл бұрын

Same

@movietimeateds69 2 жыл бұрын

Took me like 10 listens to realize that. Made the song so much better.

@johnckelly88 3 жыл бұрын

I love when the tuba comes in on the final chorus

@KennethWilliamElkington 3 жыл бұрын

Such intelligent... wonderful lyrics, and amazing vocals... melodies: S&G were simply the embodiment of fine music.

@jesrush 3 жыл бұрын

The best artists are always the best storytellers.✌️😊

@stevevasell429 3 жыл бұрын

The Boxer is a greeat song. I strongly suggeat you listen to " I Am A Rock ". Its a very powerful piece of music.

@scottgelb2650 3 жыл бұрын

Not maany people recommend this song but it's always been one of my favorites.

@gl15col 2 жыл бұрын

"I Am A Rock" was my theme song in high school. I was alone and that's the way I wanted it. But it's not easy...

@tanya4025 3 жыл бұрын

" I am a Rock" by Simon and Garfunkel.... also "What a Wonderful World this Would Be" them with James Taylor...great harmonies💥👍

@geobol7603 3 жыл бұрын

Great reaction, this song is a masterpiece, and that’s a funny as hell and an epic commentary: “that’s some deep poetic shit... and I don’t get it! “-

@chanceybooth4537 Жыл бұрын

How beautiful that we have a song like this to listen to. ❤

@patdonnelly9392 2 жыл бұрын

I always took it to mean that he is a boxer that has passed his prime, and all his losses are adding up. But, fighting is all he knows....so, as much as he wants to leave that life, he can't. While his collection of scars and shame grows...he remains there, fighting as best he can.

@Griegg 3 жыл бұрын

“Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” You’re hearing the musicianship and disregarding the story.

@kingseanp9267 2 жыл бұрын

Music is our purest creation, and as much as it moves me I get even deeper feelings seeing what it does to someone else. It’s this great shared experience.

@matthawkins8880 3 жыл бұрын

This isn’t as beautiful as Bridge Over Troubled Waters, but the lyrics are outstanding. It makes you think.

@michaelbastien3572 2 жыл бұрын

Homeward Bound, Kathy's Song, American Tune, Scarborough Fair...the list goes on and on.

@sammybeck7794 3 жыл бұрын

If you don't tear up when you hear this song, there's something wrong with you

@ebob4177 3 жыл бұрын

That last stanza makes me cry every time

@WMalven 3 жыл бұрын

Gotta love that baritone harmonica...a very unique sound.

@joeybee1914 3 жыл бұрын

To the homeless people of America, you are some of the bravest, most selfless people I've known in my life.

@J_Gamble 3 жыл бұрын

You got that right. The whole album is a masterpiece. Love your reaction.

@kennyoconnor1523 3 жыл бұрын

Paul Simon played this on SNL after 9/11. It was the first real live event on tv after 9/11. It was huge moment for the country.

@dcramblermusic317 2 жыл бұрын

Props to the producer Roy Halee who created the sound of this masterpiece !

@rayniecox7683 3 жыл бұрын

For good harmonies from these two try El Condor Pass. If you decide to do Scarborough Fair, please do it with the Canticle (another song underneath), so amazing!😎😎😎😎

@mr.knowitall6440 3 жыл бұрын

"Kodachrome", "Mother and Child Reunion", "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", "50 ways to Leave your Lover", and then the official video for "Call Me Al". You'll see why Paul Simon was WAY more than 50% of S&G... 👍

@cup_cuppy_cuppers5817 3 жыл бұрын

The ending minutes of music (alone), for me, represent triumph through sadness and sacrifice [The fighter still remains] .

@rebeccajohnson8769 Жыл бұрын

Man, I love the bass harmonica on this. It just wouldn't be the same song without it.

@ScottyGMusic 3 жыл бұрын

"... cried out, in his anger and his shame 'I am leaving, I am leaving', but the fighter still remains." I always took that as a man who had been absolutely crushed by life, but is still haunted by his former days of glory.

@EessaTube 3 жыл бұрын

Simple brilliance in its purest form.

@stephenqualtrough7322 2 жыл бұрын

Yes. This is an all time classic album Paul Simon.of the duo writes all the songs on it apart from Bye Bye Love that is covered (An Everly Brothers classic.) Later on in his solo career Graceland was also similarly acclaimed for Paul Simon but with a different sound altogether. Hr is one of your traesures, America! He is still writing upto the present day

@brianevenson9655 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not 100% sure but I think that instrument you are hearing is a Bass Harmonica.

@hornerinf 3 жыл бұрын

Yes its a bass harmonica. Very cool instrument!

@cartercarter645 3 жыл бұрын

Yes u r right but growing up I always heard it called a juice or jaw harp. Great sound

@herbiesnerd 3 жыл бұрын

@@cartercarter645 a Jews Harp is different. My dad was a musician and had a small collection of miscellaneous instruments. As a kid I used to play the Jews Harp. I’m pretty certain that sound is from a Kazoo, not a Bass Harmonica or Jews Harp. The Jews Harp makes a Twang sound you manipulate by changing the shape of you mouth. Edit: I just read online that it was a Saxophone blown to sound like that. Mystery!

@cartercarter645 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Herbie! I knew I remembered that! Keep rockin

@texadan314 3 жыл бұрын

I came here directly from your reaction to The Average White Band Pick Up The Pieces. Such an eclectic spread of songs from my teenage years. New subscriber.

@johnmcbarron7282 2 жыл бұрын

Somne one may have adressed this already but just in case, ... "in the clearing stands a boxer And a fighter by his trade"

@drayton2060 2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe that no-one has mentioned the album cover. If you cover Paul's face, it looks like Art has a humongous mustache. Try it! It is hilarious. :)

@cindyfalstrom7231 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. My absolute favorite S&G song. Majestic and pure poetry in the lyrics. I don't know what that instrument in the background. sounds like a kazoo but I doubt it.

@DarkPony.01 Жыл бұрын

Bass harmonica

@freedragon3050 3 жыл бұрын

It's nice to see someone just enjoy music and not be constrained by genre. Personally I love nearly all music. As long as it evokes an emotion or makes me think.

@timothygasper406 2 жыл бұрын

That instrument is the bass guitar. The bass or the amplifier broke during recording. Instead of doing it over they left it in. They felt it had a very unusual sound and quality. They were right.

@mrnobody9104 3 жыл бұрын

haven't heard this in 40? years made my day! Cheers

@PeaceandQuiet12345 Жыл бұрын

Such a beauty. My Fave S&G song.. This is about a time when orphans and neglected kids jumps trains w the hobo's He ended up w nowhere to go as in today's homeless. "I am leaving, I am leaving but the fighter still remains.." that is a comparison. Thank you for this... xoxo 🥰😘

@tombigbee37riusa 5 ай бұрын

the orchestra part at the end as it builds and that heavy synth soiund just thunders in....i always picture a boxer just getting bodied ....but the spirit in him is so strong he gets up to everyones shock and he knocks his opponent out cold.....only to leave the arena alone but still the champ

@karenmandeville7116 3 жыл бұрын

Paul Simon's Graceland album is classic! also check out Keep the Customer Satisfied by Simon and Garfunkel.

@guyturbide6348 3 жыл бұрын

🇨🇦✌👍 Simone and Garfunkel One of the best vocal duos of all time 👌 Try Paul Simon Song 🎵 is Diamond's on the soles of her shoes 👞 It's a timeless masterpiece Keep the good work ✌

@evabartlett4599 3 жыл бұрын

Make sure it's the one featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo!!!!

@ryanaloe3433 2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of interpretations for the last verse. My favorite one is that he wants to give up desperation but that’s not really an opinion so after he dramatically yells out “I’m leaving” he’s still there.

@jamescaporale9367 3 жыл бұрын

love S and G ....and your reactions are terrific .....you like your music ...

@fightthestate2767 2 жыл бұрын

Paul Simon and Jimmy Page are the best at elevating their songs by being top-notch producers as well as musicians. They both layer and over-dub their songs with deft little touches. The Boxer illustrates this perfectly - it could have been just an acoustic guitar folk song but Simon develops the song by introducing the pounding-on-steel percussion, a 2nd overdub acoustic guitar playing fills, the soaring strings and at the end the genius touch of that foghorn tuba, finishing up with just a hint of fiddle over the acoustic guitar outro

@whoneedssantawhenthereisgr1724 4 ай бұрын

A very beautiful song one of my favorites, thank you Biz.

@DawnSuttonfabfour 3 жыл бұрын

No.22. The Universe is telling you to play the Brothers Johnson "Strawberry Letter 22. The boxer is my mum's favourite.

@Kwaminho 3 жыл бұрын

Two of my all time favorites tracks right here! “The Boxer” & “Strawberry Letter 23” I have literally, just randomly, awoken singing to both of these songs in my head on 2 different occasions. 😂

@DawnSuttonfabfour 3 жыл бұрын

@@Kwaminho Guy, you psychic! Love Strawberry Letter and on different reactors pages I keep turning the number to either 22 or 23, the Universe is trying to tell us something! Peace to you.

@wendyt7958 3 жыл бұрын

Such a mournful song..amazing

@joannem8405 2 жыл бұрын

Bizmatik, just discovered your song reactions. Love them...just subscribed

@watchbizmatik 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the sub

@lancevaughn432 3 жыл бұрын

More Simon and Garfunkel, “ America“. “ I Am a Rock”,. “ Scarborough Fair/Canticle”. “Homeward Bound“. “Mrs. Robinson”,. “The 59th Street Bridge Song”,. “At The Zoo”,. “Baby Driver”, and 100 more.

@flaviosouza4040 Жыл бұрын

The mystery instrument played on the left channel is a bass harmonica, played by Charlie McCoy

@Lat41 3 жыл бұрын

The drums were played in front of an open elevator. They wanted a cannon like effect when he hit the snare.

@raenellefisher8514 3 жыл бұрын

The way I heard it Paul Simon is the serious musician; consumed by music. Art Garfunkel likes music OK, but he simply has the voice of an angel. God-given, not earned. This song engulfs me at the end.

@Sober2003 3 жыл бұрын

I'm with you I sometimes listen to the music and instrumentation and miss the lyrics! I need to hear music at least a dozen times to hear it all! Some times more!👍💪💖🍀

@ZalMoxis 3 жыл бұрын

Superbly crafted songs that transport you to another world of imagination....

@thatmanstumototours2270 3 жыл бұрын

Bass Harmonica is what you heard. Also the booms are slapping of church pews.

@joelliebler5690 3 жыл бұрын

Paul Simon and the production was just genius with this and almost every Simon and Garfunkel song and even later when Paul went solo!👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️☮️🎤🎼🥊

@loadedorygun 3 жыл бұрын

I was always struck by the honesty of admitting to buying prostitutes. The core of it is loneliness, and while so much negative happens in sex work, that’s the real nature of it-making the loneliness go away for a while.

@johnmcbarron7282 3 жыл бұрын

You will find that with all of Paul Simon’s music, percussion is very important.

@stevenjohnson243 3 жыл бұрын

okay

@crosscatch 2 жыл бұрын

Right! The drums sound like what a blow feels like and I think it is supposed to be something like that.

@user-or1ye3iz6d 9 ай бұрын

This is my favorite song from them ❤❤❤

@cindiaker5778 3 жыл бұрын

Perfection.

@beverlybrown2673 3 жыл бұрын

All of their albums were great, I don't think they ever did a bad song.

@ericdaure7964 Жыл бұрын

The lyric is "A fighter by his trade"; it makes sense that way.

@johnnyappleseed5590 9 ай бұрын

Folk music is amazing! Some of my favorites are Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean, John Denver, James Taylor, etc.

@cindyp1033 3 жыл бұрын

My favorite song from this album 🔥❤️

@valogden 3 жыл бұрын

My son is named Lial. This was the song I always sang to him. Lydi, ly lydi Li. Love this song!

@umenhuman7573 Жыл бұрын

he's a figter who steps into the ring of the big city, boxes his way till he gets knocked out and returns home, but hes a fighter so he will step into the ring again...

@saflynn14 3 жыл бұрын

There’s an absolutely brilliant documentary about S & G that is so worth watching. They explain how they recorded this song.....just amazing!!!

@gerhardbraatz6305 3 жыл бұрын

I like the boxer like your life. You get beat down by life and at times you feel like checking out but you always get back up and fight on. It will make more sense once you have been around about 60 yrs. or so.

@bradroon5538 2 жыл бұрын

S & G were geniuses at musical arrangements. Check out their Poem from an underground railway. Amazing lyrics at the end!

@warrenhughes911 2 жыл бұрын

Paul Simon American treasure Bob Dylan..Paul Simon ALL I NEED

@toneighty6913 3 жыл бұрын

In the clearing stands a boxer And a fighter by his trade (NOT SIDE) And he carries the reminders Of every glove that laid him down Or cut him till he cried out In his anger and his shame "I am leaving, I am leaving" But the fighter still remains

@vincentkelly5660 3 жыл бұрын

The fighter is him...he went to new york and got beat up by being on his own....the city is the thing that cut him....and yes that is a master of an album won album of the year...