First Time Hearing Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (Reaction!) 

A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. That line always strikes me in it’s profound simplicity, then the rest of the instruments kick in and the song just takes you on an epic musical journey.

“…….I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises.” Just wow! So much to unpack in just the opening line. The more you listen to this masterpiece the more you find.

Paul Simon is unarguably one of the greatest musical poets of the 60s, 70s, 80s. So many beautiful songs with Art or as solo artist. One of the most enduring careers, too.

When Paul Simon plays the song live, he adds this verse: Now the years are rolling by me They are rockin' evenly I am older than I once was And younger than I'll be and that's not unusual. No it isn't strange After changes upon changes We are more or less the same After changes we are more or less the same

You said you loved "their interpretation" of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Theirs is the definitive version. Paul Simon wrote it.

Folk music is storytelling and Simon & Garfunkel did it better then almost anyone else - thanks for the reaction. You get it and I appreciate that.

Shon you are such an insightful young man you are what is called an old soul. You have such a deep respect for these older songs. it warms my soul. you are one of my favorite reactors. please keep on doing what you do and I will keep on listening. good job!

Glad you are doing more of this great duo. I grew up listening to Simon & Garfunkel & had a lot of their records. Absolutely loved them & their harmonies. You won't find a bad song. They have had so many hits such as "Mrs. Robinson", "Kathy's Song", "Scarborough Fair", "At The Zoo", "Cecilia", "America", "I Am A Rock", "El Condor Pasa" etc. Paul Simon went on to have a huge solo career with lots of great songs.

Bass harmonica, then piccolo trumpet, "explosive" sounds made with a snare drum in an empty elevator shaft. Lie, lie, lie, was originally just a placeholder when Simon was writing the song, but he finally decided he liked it - with the reference to all the lies told the boxer.

“…’til he cries out, ‘I am leaving! I am leaving!’, but the fighter still remains.” This line has always stuck with me. So many people just staying in their spot, between a rock and a hard place. Where are they to go?

Out of all the reactions out there, no one grasps or has a more understanding for the lyrics than you do my friend. I absolutely love you enthusiasm for all great music. Peace!

I really admire you for listening to all different types of music shon. You obviously appreciate good music no matter the genre.

Best line: “I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles such are promises.”

When you asked "what is that" for the horn. I believe it's called a piccolo trumpet and it's just a small trumpet.

The back ground musicians were " The Wrecking Crew." Look 'em up. Some of the best in the business.

LIFE, the struggle of it ...genius of Paul Simon...lows are a bass harmonica--right!! horn, a piccolo trumpet blended with a pedal steel guitar; drum crash, a drum kit placed near an open elevator shaft for echo effect -- no fancy studio equipment used to my knowledge, well, 8 mics were carefully placed around...good job man!...1960s listen and think...with your heart...

Hallelujah! I am so impressed! I’ve been listening to this masterpiece for over 50 years, it truly is exquisite poetry set to perfect music. It takes a true music lover to grasp Paul Simon’s ability to create a musical arrangement that accentuates and compliments the lyrics as the story progresses. You, sir, impressed me that you were able to not only recognize these aspects but verbalize it. Subscribed. Thanks !

You have a great ear for music, Shon. There is, indeed, a bass harmonica in there. Most people have no idea! 👍😁

Simon and Garfunkel drop deep truths poetically as if they’re just drifting on the wind. Almost every single one of their lyrics is wrapped in metaphor and is just some of the best stuff I’ve ever heard written.

That's a bass harmonica you are hearing! And there was that english-sounding Solo in the middle that you took notice of and to me it kind of sounds like a French horn or something but what it is is actually a pedal steel guitar mixed with a piccolo trumpet. Which is a trumpet that can play a lot higher than a regular trumpet. They're small.

Great reaction. You seem to appreciate the deep humanity the song expresses.

In the clearing stands a boxer And a fighter by his trade And he carries the reminders Of every glove that laid him down Or cut him 'til he cried out In his anger and his shame "I am leaving, I am leaving" But the fighter still remains Pure poetry.

When I met my guy 26 years ago, he had 2 bands in his collection..Green Day and Simon and Garfunkel. He is a keeper.

The instrument midway's through is a Piccolo Trumpet. It plays an octave higher than the standard B flat Trumpet. 'Penny Lane - The Beatles' is another song I know of that uses one. Cheers.

I'm an old man who grew up with the music of the 60's & 70's so of course I love it. I love it when young folks such as yourself show an appreciation of the music of my youth. Thanks!

Great reaction! That low bass sound that comes in at 7:55 is a tuba. That echoing bang sound during the chorus, was a snare drum hit next to an open elevator shaft. It's supposed to sound like punching. Very cool.

Paul is said to have considered the instrumental outro as some of his best work on the guitar. I would agree !

Ah, the memories of waking to their songs as a young kid! It sure takes me back... Great reaction as always! This one is one of my top favorites of theirs.

Paul Simon is genius! You should check out his solo career. Start with 50 ways to leave your lover, please.

Next to Sound of Silence, The Boxer is my favorite S&G song. Their career began in the early 60's, which exploded with Sound of Silence in 1964. I saw them perform at Providence college in 1965, where they played for over 3 hours. Your question about 'lie-la-lie' chorus is interesting, since it was originally put into the piece as a 'placeholder' for something they might have added later, but didnt', deciding it was good the way it was. Many have tried to talk about it as lying, by the person trying to make do in NYC, but Paul Simon has denied any such connection. Remember now, we're talking about mid 60's where technology was minimal compared to today, but it was their most highly produced songs taking 100 hours to complete.

Folk music is amazing, tells some of the best stories. John Denver, Jim Croce, Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, Don McLean, James Taylor, a lot of old country music like early Johnny Cash is what I call folk country too. Awesome storytelling!

Amazing…I had listened to a couple of reaction vids after randomly hearing The Boxer on a Pandora station and yours was absolutely spot on…loved to see your facial reactions (and they were always as good as I knew they would be!) I am 70 years old and still in tears after hearing this again and again.

Pure greatness. S & G are genuinely fabulous!

The ly, ly,ly, part was just a place jolder wen they were writing the song..they liked it an left it in🤘

"Lie la lie" was just a bit of placeholder nonsense for a chorus that they thought should be added. They never came up with wording they liked, so they just left it. A lot of people think it has something to do with lying, but it could just as well be written as "lai la lai." It's just sounds.

I think the instrumental section at the end is an incredibly beautiful piece of music; its so layered and carries so much emotion in it. Its genius.

Paul Simon is one of the most innovative arrangers as well as being a brilliant composer. And most of his music has some social consciousness along with the tunes.

The instrumental solo was a slide guitar doubled with a piccolo trumpet.

The "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album won "Album Of The Year" in 1972. You can just do the whole damn album, it's that good. I think when you said their interpretation of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" it came out of you wrong. Paul Simon wrote the song, theirs is the original form. The ton of people who have covered it did their interpetations of the song. I saw The Beatles live in Pittsburgh in 1964, seen The Rolling Stones, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Doors and so on but the greatest show for me was in 1990 when these two reunited for a tour and I saw them at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. 50+ thousand hippies just chilling, smoking pot and enjoying great talent. Biggest outdoor pot party I've ever attended, it was incredible. Peace ❤

Paul Simon is a genius !! ..... next S . & G. song ... EL CONDOR PASA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

‘Me and Julio Down By The School Yard’ by Paul Simon

Peanut: it’s a bass harmonica. Amazing sounds! I always thought it was a hurdy gurdy. Recently found out, nope, bass harmonica. Sounds like it’s the size of a refrigerator. Hehe “American Tune” by Paul Simon, should be required listening. The lyrics are timeless, and profound. Written a half a century ago, but could have been written yesterday. He recently updated the lyrics for a performance with Rhiannon Giddens. That’s another performance worth seeing. But, for fun Paul Simon rhythms, “Cecilia”, “Me and Julio (Down By the Schoolyard)” and “You can call me Al”, come to mind. Really great reaction, by the way. Cheers.

I think the low end instrument you hear when the repeating chorus at the end is a bassoon. Great reaction as always.

Simon’s name is pronounced the same as the game “Simon Says”. 😊😊😊

S&G were the voice of a generation and they still resonate today.

One of the best songs from the 1960s.

I love the how the "lie" gets louder and the music more dark and imposing as it closes out.

Love this! I think you might enjoy Shawn Colvin and Allison Krauss's version of this song that they did live to honor Paul Simon at the Kennedy Center Honors 2002.

The live at central park version is the best version of this song plus the lyrics are diffrent and makes the song even better anyone who ain't heard that version give it a whirl is a must

PEANUT: at 3:44 The instrument you heard that you said "What is that?" Is called a pedal steel guitar. It's a guitar built into a console, kinda like a keyboard, and played sitting down with a steel bar to fret the notes instead of fingers. It has a bunch of pedals you manipulate with your feet and knees to modify the sound. It's used a lot in country music.

Ly Ly Ly is like singing Doo Doo Doo. Not literally lie lie lie, as in being lied to, just a furtherance of the chorus lyrics.

Just FYI. Their version of Bridge Over Troubled Water is the original. Sorry; had to say that; old person here. Thanks. P.S. Not sure on the instrument, but it sounds like something called a bassoon. Check that out. Also, if you're going to do S&G Sound of Silence, I strongly suggest their original studio version before their live performances. You mentioned it unsolicited and I'll concur - - their instrumentation on this (and a lot of their early songs) is just beyond delicious. But, in live performances, they generally have stripped down mostly to vocals and a piano or guitar. It isn't that their vocals aren't gorgeous (they are, and they're worth hearing) but, if you love instruments and sound effects (as I do), stick with their studio stuff for now; and then maybe later on see some of their live work, which is beautiful, but like I said, more bare. Another great reaction. If you haven't reacted to it yet, I suggest a Paul Simon video/song: Call Me Al.

Believe it or not the lie-la-lie chorus was initially used as a fill-in for later-to-be-written lyrics. But Simon decided to leave it as-is as he couldn’t come up with suitable words.

An album with Boxer and Bridge over Troubled Waters. Folk Pop Classical, released Jan 1970. I was 15 when I bought the vinyl, had the words on the record sleeve.

Yknow, I always just heard it like a La La La. He thought ‘lie” sounded better than ‘La’. And you are correct, Paul Simon is one of the greatest 20th century American poets, imo

I've been eagerly awaiting this video! Subscribed, and I'm thrilled to be part of this journey! - "Value the journey, it shapes your extraordinary story..."

That's a Tuba at the crescendo!

People have commented that the very deep sound at the end was made by a tuba. I didn't find any information online about a tuba, but some sources say it was an early Moog synthesizer.

I am so glad you found all the great music I and so many grew up with. Listen to the lyrics, as you are. They just don't write like this anymore. Only thing coming out of this day and age is...swill. I am very proud of you.

seriously, the hu!! mongolian metal and it will change your life! i'm 62 and can't get enough! no CLUE what they're saying and it doesn't even matter 😁😎😎

Yes sir...bass harmonica

Another EPIC tune from S&G. A classic. I love me some folk rock. You are right, these guys really can tell a great story. It seems this era had some stellar storytellers. Great time for great music.

Their “interpretation” of Bridge Over Troubled Water?? Paul Simon (not Simone) WROTE that song. It won Song, Record and Album of the Year for 1970.

Always thought Paul was underrated as a songwriter ✌️

PEANUT,,,, the low humming drone at the end is a MINI-MOOG,,,, basically it's a keyboard with low gutteral tones, deep deep down low gutteral sounds, so amazing because it fits perfectly in the end of this type of song where it discusses the hard life of a Boxing Man! Cheers!

laiaili.. just a sing-song lyric.. this song is exceptional

Oooohhhhhhh!!!!! Sooooo good! I love your reactions! this song is fire!

If you have 90 minutes, find Simon & Garfunkel's "The Concert in Central Park" (New York City, 1981). Get a feel for that era. It has a good feel about it.

"What is that sound"? (first time) That's a pedal steel guitar (usually used in country music) played in unison with a piccolo trumpet (smaller higher pitched). Pretty unique combination. "What's that sound" (at the end) is a sousaphone or tuba, not sure which.

PNUT - A TUBA.! Created those incredible low, strong, notes heard toward the end. I could’ve used more myself. Beautiful composition and powerful lyrics - thanks for sharing!

Enjoy your analysis, you know your music.

Peanut ... tuba is the instrument with the deep and low sound at the end.

Yes, there is bass harmonica in this song, and you recognized it. The other, deeper sound to which you referred is something else. Paul Simon has done quite a few songs with bass saxophone but I don't believe that is used here. It could be a sousaphone (tuba) as some have suggested but look up "contrabass clarinet". It has both the tone and the grit in this song. Also not a bassoon, that has a wooden sound.

You are so insightful! One of the few that actually listen to the lyrics! Love your reactions! So enjoyable✌️

"In a clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade and he carries the reminder of every glove that laid him down or cut him 'til he crued out on his anger and his shame, 'I am leaving. I am leaving!' but the fighter still remains" Dont we all carry the reminders of every set back life has handed us until we questioned if it was worth it...yet we remain and fight on, too.

I just so enjoy your reactions. So, “lie lie lie” is just syllables. It could have been dah or lah, but they used lie as a placeholder until they came up with lyrics for it, but they liked lie lah lie, so they kept it. Another favorite story song is I am a Rock.

"Bridge" was not an interpretation, it was the original.

My favorite of theirs.😍

Truly the perfect duo. Their voices compliment each other as few others have done.

lie lie lie … to me this chorus/ refrain symbolises the many lies we constantly tell ourselves and others day in day out.❤

The parts of the song where he is singing "lye lye lye" is simply just to take the space of that part of the songs! Every famous band did that, from Elvis, to The Beatles, to The Rolling Stones, to Led Zeppelin,,,etc. etc..

One of my favorites in my youth

I just came across u...and u r terrific! I am a subscriber

Shon, the LI LI LI part is just a musical sound that i have heard in some Jewish songs that fits well here

One of my favorites by them, relate...have you heard the song Cecelia by them? A bit different from their usual music, great beat, music...Bridge over trouble water, my favorite....if you like S&G...let's see...how about Jim Croce, Don't mess around with Jim, Roller Derby Queen, or James Taylor, you've got a friend, Cat Stephens, Father and Son, Wild World, some good old artist from the 70's you may like...

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 Really like to see your reaction to Niel Young Song is 🎵❤️ Heart of Gold 🎵 LIVE You're gonna love this one too Keep the good work my friend 👍🏻👌👏

Always a favourite - any Beatles or Dusty Springfield on the way 😂

That deep dark sound you hear at the end is a tuba and i think it resembles a hoorn of a boat because "he's leaving"

That Tuba at the end makes it !

Great Reaction! You picked up on the Bass Harmonica, wich most people miss. Peanut that deep sound near the end is a Tuba...

If you want poetry put to music, check out Leonard Cohen and his song "Everybody Knows". He was a poet first and then put his stuff to music. It's all about the brilliant lyrics.

Apparently the lie lie lie bits were markers for yet to be written lyrics. It sounded fine so they left it as is. 😁

At the end the instrument you asked about is the Tuba. I’m not 100% sure but I’m a musician and it absolutely sounds like a Tuba

I haven't seen many reactors do their "Keep the Customer Satisfied"... I'd be so happy if you'd do that. It's my fav S&G song

The gritty instrument at the end is a tuba.

What is that I believe was a Picalo trumpet.

Li Li Li as oppossed to La La La

I appreciate your appreciation!!!

If you want to hear a little bit of controversial music that made the top 10 check out Luka by Suzanne Vega. It got a lot of attention for its topic back in the 80s

Hey Shon love the reactions- Paul’s last name is pronounced “s eye mun “ not see moan - keep Rockin’