The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel - A Masterpiece from the 1960

September 05, 2023

The Sounds of Silence is a song by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. It was originally released in 1964 as an acoustic ballad on their debut album, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." However, it failed to gain significant attention. In 1965, a remixed electric version was released without the knowledge of the duo, and it became a surprise hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

The song's introspective lyrics and haunting melody resonated with audiences, and it has since become one of Simon & Garfunkel's most iconic and enduring songs.
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Simon & Garfunkel

Did You Know

  • The Sounds of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel was released in 1964.
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    Album 'The Sounds of Silence'
  • It was originally titled The Sounds of Silence and was later included in the album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M."
  • The song gained popularity in 1965 after it was remixed with electric instruments without the knowledge of Simon & Garfunkel, leading to a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

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🎵 Let's sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

Lyrics

Hello, darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence


In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

'Neath the halo of a streetlamp

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence


And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

No one dared

Disturb the sound of silence


"Fools," said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words like silent raindrops fell

And echoed in the wells of silence


And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets

Are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls

And whispered in the sounds of silence.


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Simon & Garfunkel Photos

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source: ST

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source: ST

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source: ST

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source: ST

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