Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!: Day 26 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

I never tire of saying that good music is timeless and what is often called Simon & Garfunkel's 'Signature Song', Bridge Over Troubled Water, is a good case in point. It was released on this day 46 years ago.

The instrumentation for the song was recorded in California and the vocals cut in New York. Initially Paul Simon had wanted Art Garfunkel to sing the song Solo, but Garfunkel declined that invite. But after hearing the demo Art felt that Paul should sing it! (makes me giggle a bit to think that these guys could hardly agree on anything together!)

The chorus lyrics were partly inspired by Claude Jeter's line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me," which Jeter sang with his group, the Swan Silvertones, in the 1958 song "Mary Don't You Weep." Gospel producer and historian Anthony Heilbut told the New York Daily News that Simon acknowledged this debt of gratitude in person and had handed Claude Jeter a cheque of compensation (I don't know how much the cheque was for). It was originally written on guitar by Simon but he felt that in order to get across the Gospel sound that it should be played on Piano, that and it would work best for Art's vocal.

Producer Halee and Garfunkel felt that the song was not complete and desired a third verse. Simon agreed and wrote the third verse..."Sail on Silver Girl...". Now, over the years there has been much debate about exactly what Paul Simon was getting at here. Many have said that he is writing about drugs, heroin etc. But it should not come as a shock that it's something way more simple than that - Paul Simon writing a line for his then-wife Peggy Harper who had noticed her first grey hairs! What's funny though about this is whilst Garfunkel and Halee had insisted upon the third verse Simon himself has said that he never cared much for it! He felt that it didn't necessarily fit together well with the preceeding verses.

It was to become their most successful Single, reaching the #1 both sides of the Atlantic, France, Canada and New Zealand, and wast Top 5 in a number of other countries. It is one of the best selling Singles of all time.

The song won the Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1971 Grammy Awards.

Down through the years the song has been covered by a wide range of artists including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jimmy London (a reggae version!), Buck Owens and the Buckaroos (did the first Country version of the song), to name but a few. Most people who have released it have a had a hit with it.

Bridge Over Troubled Water
written by Paul Simon
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

 Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel

Columbia

Produced by Roy Halee, Simon & Garfunkel

Released 26th January 1970

US Chart #1

UK Chart #1

Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!

New Video: Dion & Paul Simon - New York is My Home

The Story:
Paul Simon and I have been friends a long time. I was at his apartment back when there was a terrible downturn in the country and Paul wanted to do something special for the city. Well, he put together that wonderful concert in Central Park. He thought the city needed a touch of friendship. I thought it was off the Richter scale doing something for our city. When I wrote “New York Is My Home” I thought this is a way to have New Yorkers fall in love with their city all over again. I thought of Paul. ... Early on I knew I had to sing it with Paul Simon. We share a love for rock 'n' roll street music the way it was done when we were kids. I knew Paul would get this song. And he did. Soon after I sent it to him, he called and said he’d become obsessed with it. He added his own distinct touches to the production. He’s from Queens, I’m from the Bronx. We’re both at home in New York. What a trip, a labor of love for us. ~ Dion

Paul Simon - Hyde Park 15th July 2012

• 1. Kodachrome
  2. Gone at Last
  3. Dazzling Blue
  4. 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
  5. The Harder They Come (with Jimmy Cliff)
  6. Many Rivers to Cross (with Jimmy Cliff)
  7. Vietnam & Mother and Child Reunion(with Jimmy Cliff)
  8. That Was Your Mother
  9. Hearts and Bones / Mystery Train / Wheels
  10. Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
  11. Slip Slidin' Away
  12. The Obvious Child
  13. Hello My Baby
  14. Nomathemba (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
  15. Homeless (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
  16. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
  17. I Know What I Know
  18. The Boy in the Bubble
  19. Mandela (Bring Him Back Home) (with Hugh Masekela)
  20. Stimela (with Hugh Masekela)
  21. Crazy Love, Vol. II
  22. African Sunset (with Thandiswa Mazwai)
  23. Under African Skies (with Thandiswa Mazwai)
  24. Gumboots
  25. Graceland
  26. You Can Call Me Al
  27. Encore:
  28. The Sound of Silence
  29. The Boxer (with Jerry Douglas)
  30. Late in the Evening
  31. Encore 2:
  31. Still Crazy After All These Years