Classical Composer Reacts to Bridge over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel) | The Daily Doug Ep. 503 

Way back in 7th grade, we begged our music teacher to let us sing this song. He refused because he knew we would screech on the high notes. He finally relented and we screeched like there was no tomorrow.

Quite possibly, the most beautiful song ever recorded.

There are few things in this world of ours that are as pure as this song.

Just amazing how some things fall together. Two childhood friends, one turns about to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time and his buddy has the voice of an angel.

Here are the personnel Art Garfunkel - lead vocals Paul Simon - backing vocals Larry Knechtel - piano Joe Osborn - bass guitar Hal Blaine - drums and percussion Gary Coleman - vibraphone Jimmie Haskell, Ernie Freeman - string arrangements

Paul doesn't come in until the "Sail on silver girl........"

I don't know anything about music theory, I just know what overwhelms me. This one does it every single time.

When you said here comes Paul...I believe that's still Art. Paul doesn't sing any verses on the song, he only sings background vocals. The studio musicians are the Wrecking Crew - Larry Knetchel on Piano, Hal Blaine drums, Joe Osborn bass. Paul is just credited as backing vocals (as well as composer). I know when they played it live years later, Paul would take the second verse. I've seen Art a couple times and I still get goose bumps when he sings it. The room is pin drop quiet. No one even moves a hair. It's magical.

That's an example of a song that gets everything it needs and nothing that it doesn't. It feels like a 7-minute epic, but it's only 4.48.

Thank you for loving this as much as I do. I have been saying for nearly two decades that, if Art Garfunkel and Karen Carpenter had had children together, at least one of them would have had the world's greatest ever pop/folk music singing voice.

Art Garfunkel's voice is an absolute treasure. Pure joy. I agree with you - his voice is divine. This is a truly beautiful song with an almost transcendental quality about it. The lines "If you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind" gives me goosebumps every time. And nobody does harmony like these two. Another favourite for me is The Boxer.

Larry knechtel who played lead guitar for the group Bread and was a member of the session group "the wrecking crew" played the piano on this and with arts voice made this song all simon could envision

To me, it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Amazing vocals and arrangements. Thanks for sharing.

Fantastic song but I still think a live track from 1969 called "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" is the most pure and powerful vocal performance from Garfunkel, full stop! Thanks Doug!

Thank you for doing this song. I really needed to hear it just now when I did. I just suffered a very personal loss and this song brought forth tears I needed to cry. There is no more emotionally provocative song that i know of. Calling it a masterpiece is no hyperbole.

What a masterpiece. They are from another world.

Like "Moon River" and few others, this is one of the few "perfect songs." The great Larry Knechtel on piano. He later of Bread, which deserves to be heard as well.

Great shout out for Art Garfunkel's vocals, I think you're spot on about his purity of voice. The only other male singer I think is close is Harry Nilsson.

One of the most beautiful goose bump songs ever. It touches me. Always. This is so 60/70s.. 🙂the arrangement, the dramatic climax, the sound. Played in a studio live while recording. And no technology today can replace that. Try - you will fail. It needs to played like that. This is breathing music. And that is the magic that this "old" music still has to offer to us today.

Jon Anderson and Chris Squire have stated when they started Yes they wanted to incorporate vocals stylings like the. Beach. Boys and Simon and Garfunkel. Yes covered America, so they were listening.... The I Get Up, I Get Down middle section of Close to the Edge always harkened me back to Scarborough Fair with its haunting sound and overlaying vocals. I think the boys in Yes also listened to Bridge over troubled waters more than a few times because the ending of close to the edge displays the same power and intensity as the ending to this masterpiece. Hey, if your gonna be influenced, you might as well be influenced by the best, right ya'all?

chills is the only way to describe this 🥶😊🎼🎵🎶🎶

And by the first chorus, Tom is in a puddle of tears. Every. Single. Time. If Peter Hammill taught me that I am not alone in my crushing depression and visions of suicide, this song keeps me from going through with it.

That's about as beautiful as a piece of music can get.

There's a wonderful pureness of thought in many of their arrangements, and such intelligent songwriting; but, it _is_ impossible to take your ears off that extraordinary vocal.

Another favorite of mine on this album is "The Only Living Boy in New York". The vocal harmonies on that track are stunning!

I grew up on Simon & Garfunkel and did not realize until I was an adult that this has the elements of a gospel song. I love how there is always something to learn from music as you get more life experience.

As a kid, my parents often had a couple over for dinner, and they all loved this album, especially, Cecilia. I'd be upstairs at midnight trying to get to sleep while they played that song over and over again. This may be Simon & Garfunkel's last album together, but to me it's their best, one that certainly demands a track-by-track analysis. 5:50 - 7:10 😪😥😢😭

An amazing song in so many ways. "Sail on silver girl .." gets me every time.

This was my favorite version of this song! This was Art's best voice. I've seen other performances where he holds back but this version he really shines.

It's interesting that Paul wrote two verses. After they recorded that, Roy Halee and Art realized that the song was very good but not complete, so they leaned on Paul to write that third verse.."Sail on Silver Girl." When it came time to release a single Paul and Art figured that "Cecilia" would be the song but the record company said no. "Bridge over Troubled Water" might not sound like a 'typical' top-40 song, but it was the best written, best arranged, best performed, best produced song they had ever done so it would be the single and the rest is history. The times were different back then as well. You could have "A Boy Named Sue", "L'Amour est Blue" (with an oboe riff!) Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Jefferson Airplane and Motown all played on the same radio station at the same time. I don't know that this song could have found a niche in today's fragmented music scene.

Doug, just a head's up - Where you say "iv to I" is actually iv dim to I (Ab dim to Eb). It's why Knechtel can put the B in the bass part of the piano underneath the F and G in the melody Art's singing and it still works.

What a gorgeous song.... I can't imagine hearing anyone other than Art Garfunkel sing it.

I love how in each successive verse, the vocals get louder and more reverb is added to them. By the end, they are positively triumphant. An amazing performance combined with sensitive production.

Doug, for another almost perfect vocal, please do Forever Autumn" Justin hayward of the moody blues, was the voice Jeff Wayne wanted for this beautiful song, in fact when he contacted Justin, he asked, 'are you the guy who sang "Nights in White Satin"?? erm, yes!!! 😂😊🎶🎶

This awesome song is such a comfort to listen to when you are having a hard time.

Not only is this one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, it is one of the most perfect recordings ever.

Absolutely the most perfect song ever written!💖💖💖

What an amazing job by Larry Knechtel on the piano .

Almost a musical sigh so well composed.

Are you aware that the piano was played by Larry Knechtel? He also played bass for the Doors, Guitar (the solo in Guitar Man) as a member of Bread. He was a session player in "The Wrecking Crew". Many hits. My session hero of the era. (I toured with Oingo Boingo '93, guitar, amongst other sessions, tours, gigs).

I have no idea what it is about Simon & Garfunkel, but their classic songs sounds just as fresh today as they where when they came out. Amazing really. This one, Sound of Silence(prob. my favorite), The Boxer etc. Newer get tired listen to them or good covers of them.

Never fails to give me chills and teary eyes. Sublime.

The reunion live version of this marvellous.. When Paul just disappears in to the back, to let Art shine alone, smiling at his friend.. And then comes back and lays his arm around Art.. Tears...

We didn't have many albums in our house when I was young, but this was one of them.

This song is just one of those songs, you just sit back, listen and enjoy it’s sounds, the music itself, and how you react to it.

Wonderful song, kills me every time I listen, slayed. Merry Christmas Doug and all!

An exquisite arrangement and performance.

Happy Holidays, Doug. A brilliant song from two brilliant guys. The piano introduction is SO good, it's basically announcing that we're all about to hear one of the most epic songs ever written.

When Paul wrote this for Art to sing he only wrote 2 versus. Someone told him he needed a 3rd verse and that's where Paul comes in. Beautiful song that still give me goose bumps.

I cry every time I hear this. Every time. Not because of a personal story just because of the words.

Like an Angel from heaven delivering the perfect song emotionally touching all earthling souls!

Art Garfunkels voice is the pure icing to an already "purfect" song

I'm so glad to have grown up with this song. I was alive when it was recorded and am in no way surprised that it has endured for a half century.

I had read that at first, they didn't have the last verse. Garfunkle thought it should have a more dynamic ending with another verse. Finally Simon agreed and as he was not accustomed, he wrote the last verse as they were in the middle of sessions.

I will always remember the first time I heard this song. I had just parked my car and was planning to spend my afternoon shopping. The very beginning with the piano and then Art's beautiful voice caught my attention and I had to stay put to listen. What a journey- I was in tears by the end and I knew if was going to be song of the year. All these years later I still get teary listening to this masterpiece. This version far exceeds any other version, including Elvis Presley's.

An old friend of mine used to sing this as "Like a bridge over Ethel Waters". It rings a bit differently that way.

Soul stirring are the words to descibe this heartfelt beauty...Ty brother

The silver girl was Paul’s wife who was prematurely grey ..😊 Happy New Year and please more BIG BIG TRAIN in 2023 …. EAST COAST RACER live for example or THE UNDERFALL YARD sitting there behind you!

Great song. Happy christmas Doug, thank you for the great videos. A fan from the Netherlands.

Thanks! This piece is one of the rare, beautiful things of the last 50-60 years. Their singing is pure, correct, musical. Why is this so impossible today?

Paul joins Art for a few lines beginning with "Sail on silver girl..."

The first S&G song that I didn't know all the lyrics (actually I knew them, but never got the verses in correct order). Still know several. "For Emily, Wherever I May Find Her" is still my favorite. " Good God, don;t jump!"

This beautiful song always makes me cry.

such a legendary song, one of the most divine songs ever created

Thanks a lot for taking up this song. I love it since I was a small boy.

Thank you for reminding me of this song. I haven't heard this one in years.

Larry Knechel played that beautiful piano part. Interestingly, Knechel also played the honky tonk piano on Rockin Pneumonia.

Merry Christmas, Doug. Loved listening to your commentaries this year.

I love this song and I'm thankful for all you said about it. This song really touched my heart.

Art Garfunkel sings all the lead vocals on this song

Still gives goosebumps after all these years!

Totally agree with your observations on Art' Garfunkel's voice, just stunningly beautiful

THE greatest male voice in popular music bar none ... Art Garfunkel ..an angel on earth

a beautiful reaction to such an epic tune & as you say, recording.

big, big thanks to Larry Knechtel for creating that iconic piano part... Larry Knechtel was the bassist, organist of Bread, and was the one who did the wahwah lead guitar in "The Guitarman"... since "Bridge" made a big hit, Bread included it in their shows, and it was voiced by James Griffin.

Doug, I love your skillful remarks, but above that , your human reaction, you could hear them before, the key is wise reaction, You got it , and a big heart ! Thanks . Mike

There is an excellent vid on here about the making of that song. Larry Knechtel played the piano and contributed to the "gospel: sound Simon was looking for. Besides Art's voice, the magic was in the mixing on this one.

I grew up with this song and have had songbooks with this music taunting me ever since it was new. Finally, during the pandemic, I put together the best arrangement that I could with the music and my ear. It's thrilling.

"The Boxer" by Simon and Garfunkel is right up your alley Doug. That ending section!

"Sail on Silver Girl" makes me think of my dear sweet mother, now in a loftier clime, and whose dreams, through her children, are on their way, to fruition. She was always, always a bridge over troubled water, just like Pappy. Thanks for this. I heard it over on was it Papillon? No, Patreon, and was well worth revisiting. Now I look a mess. Peace and love. db

Fantastic song. Timeless.

Happy Holidays Doug and Megan. I wish you a happy new music year ✨✨🎶🎶❤❤

SIR, WHY ARE YOU NOT CRYING?????!! 😭 I'm in tears.

I know of people who think drum kits in the 1980s were too drenched in tasteless reverb. They need to hear THIS recording from a decade or more earlier. There's so much open space it's almost proto-ambient! Beautiful all around.

Such an amazing song sung by amazing singers

4:17 - "Here comes Paul." Is that Paul Simon on the second verse? I thought it was Art Garkunkel on lead vocal all the way through. (Although, I have seen some live concert performances where Paul would take the second verse.)

As has been documented, Paul Simon wrote the first two parts on guitar then asked Larry Knechtel to write the piano part which he did in a couple of days. Garfunkel then pushed for a third verse which Simon initially did not support but in the end wrote it. Larry Knechtel had a background in gospel music. He went on to join the group Bread.

It's an incredible album. I also love the bass playing on it.

The first power ballad? :-) Such an amazing performance by Art Garfunkel.

Beautiful song from the best of their amazing albums.

What a 💎 gem of a song.

Paul joins in on the harmonies

The song is divine.

I love watching you love music :-)

❤❤

Paul Simon is a genius.one of the best songwriters of my time.

Larry Knechtel played piano on this song. He won a Grammy for his performance. Larry was a member of the storied Wrecking Crew.

Thanks Doug. A masterpiece whatever your perspective.

Where you say 'here comes Paul' at the second verse it is still Art (and vocal art as well). I also love the live version of their concert at Central Park, 1980 I think. I usually play this song in C while you mention E, does that make much difference?

"I get the high part". too funny. so do I. much to my wife's chagrin.!