When I think of Simon and Garfunkel I hear Simon singing "An American Tune". It is one of the saddest, most poignant songs I know. And every year it seems truer and truer. Heartbreaking.
Too many of the entertainers I love are either hitting 70 or are already gone. Then there's Paul McCartney getting married again at a ripe old age and deleriously happy. That makes me feel less old.
Paul Simon has written so very many meaningful songs. The Sounds of Silence is another old one that is as true today as when it was written, like An American Tune. He is truly a genius.
Barbara, Tom wondered if Paul Simon still thought memories 'are all that's left you.' When we are in our twenties we just don't see that life goes on till it doesn't. I'm thrilled about McCartney! And did you know that Mick Jagger has a new group, Superheavy? I'll be posting about it soon. :<)
I couldn't remember "An American Tune" and had to look it up. Wow! That is so very sad. I did love "Old Friends" and "Sounds of Silence" though. It is weird to think of them in their 70s. I hope they were able to reconcile and remain old friends.
OK, that song made me cry. I think I am just a little melancholy today. Thanks for posting this, Nan, my "old friend". Think we'll still be chatting away in 10 or 20 years. I hope so. :-)
Hey Nan! I love Paul Simon (and Art Garfunkel too). Did you hear Paul Simon perform at the Sept. 11th ceremony in New York? I loved what he sang, it's on my blog if you want to see it! Oh, and Paul Simon is a WONDERFUL songwriter but he did take the melody from Bach for "An American Tune", I'm sure you and your readers know that. It makes me like him all the more, to know he recognizes a great melody, and expands it and puts great words to it.
Kay, me too, both the melancholy and the hope to still be chatting.
Nellie, :<)
Kay, I did know that, but I'll be honest. I first heard the tune from Mr. Simon! :<) I'll check out the entry on your blog. And thanks for the Moody Blues tip. I'll tape it. Did you know there is a MB movie on Netflix Instant?
In college, a carload of us drove down to St. Louis from Normal, Illinois to see Simon and Garfunkle on their last tour before they broke up. 1971? They played Old Friends, Sounds of Silence, etc., but, it was also when they introduced Bridge of Troubled Waters. I've never forgotten it, nor has Tom.
I love both of these great performers. I have a lullaby album by Garfunkel that I played for my daughter bedtime. I also had the pleasure of seeing them play in an outdoor concert in Minneapolis. Hard to believe they are 70! My favorite is still 59th Street Bridge Song/Feelin' Groovy!
Amazing. I grew up listening to these two. I wrote about that here. I love this song.
Kay, this made me a bit weepy, too. I hope you and Nan and I are still chatting away in ten or twenty years! You are truly my "old friends." (And Teri, too, if you're reading this!)
Aaaaah! Still have the original album. Lots of tributes on the radio here yesterday and people saying that if Paul were British, he'd be Sir Paul. One of the plays was American Tune; I stopped everything and just listened.
Guess who's going to see 70 YO Bob Dylan this evening? With her daughter! These ageing stars have timeless appeal.
Peaceful Reader, did you ever see or hear about a television series called Brooklyn Bridge? It was a wonderful family drama, and the song was sung by Art Garfunkel. I keep hearing rumors it will be released on dvd but not yet. I just saw the song is available at iTunes on his 1993 Up 'Til Now album.
Bellezza, and I was 20 when I first heard this song. I found it very poignant even at that young age. Old soul, I guess. :<)
Les, beautiful songs and beautiful voices - I love their albums. And I love Graceland by just PS. It is one of my top five of all time! And I, too hope we are all going strong years from now.
Lisa, :<))
Call me madam, I shall be interested to hear how it went. I've heard he is unpredictable with some concerts stellar and others not so great.
I still have the original album too and have just put it on to listen again. It's a wonder it plays - it should be worn through, given the number I played it as a teenager: Time it was, and what a time it was, it was...
Wow. My high school year book in my sophmore year had an S&G theme with song snippets from their lyrics, a lonely empty bench with the words from "Old Friends" on it...to think back then I thought it was a strange and impossible thought to be seventy - or even sixty or fifty!
"Terribly strange" was how I felt when I turned 70 this year too. I love it that these guys are my age and still people love the work they've done. Bob Dylan is another one that I think is hitting his seventies,
Margot, I anticipate I shall too, and in not too many years. That number is daunting, I think. Yes, Dylan is also 70 this year. And Ringo turned 70 last year.
Nan, I have just listened to this song. How wonderful, thank you for posting it. I have always loved them and still listen to their music on CD. It is hard to believe they are seventy.
I'll answer your comments as soon as I possibly can. Please do come back if you've asked a question. Also, you may comment on any post, no matter how old, and I will see it.
When I think of Simon and Garfunkel I hear Simon singing "An American Tune". It is one of the saddest, most poignant songs I know. And every year it seems truer and truer. Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteToo many of the entertainers I love are either hitting 70 or are already gone. Then there's Paul McCartney getting married again at a ripe old age and deleriously happy. That makes me feel less old.
ReplyDeletePaul Simon has written so very many meaningful songs. The Sounds of Silence is another old one that is as true today as when it was written, like An American Tune. He is truly a genius.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, Tom wondered if Paul Simon still thought memories 'are all that's left you.' When we are in our twenties we just don't see that life goes on till it doesn't. I'm thrilled about McCartney! And did you know that Mick Jagger has a new group, Superheavy?
I'll be posting about it soon. :<)
I couldn't remember "An American Tune" and had to look it up. Wow! That is so very sad. I did love "Old Friends" and "Sounds of Silence" though. It is weird to think of them in their 70s. I hope they were able to reconcile and remain old friends.
ReplyDeleteOK, that song made me cry. I think I am just a little melancholy today. Thanks for posting this, Nan, my "old friend". Think we'll still be chatting away in 10 or 20 years. I hope so. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is even stranger when I consider the "fact" that I have not aged at all.
ReplyDeletenellie
Hey Nan!
ReplyDeleteI love Paul Simon (and Art Garfunkel too). Did you hear Paul Simon perform at the Sept. 11th ceremony in New York? I loved what he sang, it's on my blog if you want to see it! Oh, and Paul Simon is a WONDERFUL songwriter but he did take the melody from Bach for "An American Tune", I'm sure you and your readers know that. It makes me like him all the more, to know he recognizes a great melody, and expands it and puts great words to it.
Oh and while we are thinking of music, the Moody Blues will be on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon TONIGHT, Thursday, Oct. 13th. We will record it!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all three of 'my' Kays here!!
ReplyDeleteKay, from what I've read, they have. They were touring last year when AG began having problems with his vocal cords. Last I heard they were healing.
http://sunny1043.radio.com/2011/03/20/art-garfunkel-swears-to-new-simon-amp-garfunkel-tour-dates-in-late-2011/
Kay, me too, both the melancholy and the hope to still be chatting.
Nellie, :<)
Kay, I did know that, but I'll be honest. I first heard the tune from Mr. Simon! :<) I'll check out the entry on your blog. And thanks for the Moody Blues tip. I'll tape it. Did you know there is a MB movie on Netflix Instant?
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Moody_Blues_Classic_Artists/70065169?trkid=496624
Seventy-oh my I didn't realize they were that old!! Time goes by too quickly!!
ReplyDeleteThat brought back many memories.
ReplyDeleteIn college, a carload of us drove down to St. Louis from Normal, Illinois to see Simon and Garfunkle on their last tour before they broke up. 1971? They played Old Friends, Sounds of Silence, etc., but, it was also when they introduced Bridge of Troubled Waters. I've never forgotten it, nor has Tom.
Thanks. Nan.
Yeah, pretty amazing, Sherri.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful story and memory, Penny!
I love both of these great performers. I have a lullaby album by Garfunkel that I played for my daughter bedtime. I also had the pleasure of seeing them play in an outdoor concert in Minneapolis. Hard to believe they are 70!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is still 59th Street Bridge Song/Feelin' Groovy!
Seventy? Seventy! I could listen to Bridge Over Troubled Water til at least twice that many years.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about it, though, I've been listening to them for a little more than 30. :)
Amazing. I grew up listening to these two. I wrote about that here. I love this song.
ReplyDeleteKay, this made me a bit weepy, too. I hope you and Nan and I are still chatting away in ten or twenty years! You are truly my "old friends." (And Teri, too, if you're reading this!)
I agree with Nellie. How can they be getting so old and I am not. ??
ReplyDeleteAaaaah! Still have the original album. Lots of tributes on the radio here yesterday and people saying that if Paul were British, he'd be Sir Paul. One of the plays was American Tune; I stopped everything and just listened.
ReplyDeleteGuess who's going to see 70 YO Bob Dylan this evening? With her daughter! These ageing stars have timeless appeal.
Peaceful Reader, did you ever see or hear about a television series called Brooklyn Bridge? It was a wonderful family drama, and the song was sung by Art Garfunkel. I keep hearing rumors it will be released on dvd but not yet. I just saw the song is available at iTunes on his 1993 Up 'Til Now album.
ReplyDeleteBellezza, and I was 20 when I first heard this song. I found it very poignant even at that young age. Old soul, I guess. :<)
Les, beautiful songs and beautiful voices - I love their albums. And I love Graceland by just PS. It is one of my top five of all time! And I, too hope we are all going strong years from now.
Lisa, :<))
Call me madam, I shall be interested to hear how it went. I've heard he is unpredictable with some concerts stellar and others not so great.
Really, REALLY makes me feel old. Until I hear the music. Then I feel young. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, how beautifully expressed, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteI still have the original album too and have just put it on to listen again. It's a wonder it plays - it should be worn through, given the number I played it as a teenager: Time it was, and what a time it was, it was...
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminiscences, Nan.
Debbie, I'm amazed at two things, one that it still plays and two you have a turntable!
ReplyDeleteWow. My high school year book in my sophmore year had an S&G theme with song snippets from their lyrics, a lonely empty bench with the words from "Old Friends" on it...to think back then I thought it was a strange and impossible thought to be seventy - or even sixty or fifty!
ReplyDeleteSusan, neat idea for a yearbook. I love the ones that have a bit about the current movies, music, etc.
ReplyDelete"Terribly strange" was how I felt when I turned 70 this year too. I love it that these guys are my age and still people love the work they've done. Bob Dylan is another one that I think is hitting his seventies,
ReplyDeleteMargot, I anticipate I shall too, and in not too many years. That number is daunting, I think. Yes, Dylan is also 70 this year. And Ringo turned 70 last year.
ReplyDeleteNan, I have just listened to this song. How wonderful, thank you for posting it. I have always loved them and still listen to their music on CD. It is hard to believe they are seventy.
ReplyDeletePatricia
Australia
How nice to hear from you, Patricia! Their voices are sure beautiful together.
ReplyDelete