Simon & Garfunkel one of the most popular artists of 1960’s. An American Folk Duo. Paul Simon songwriter, Art Garfunkel singer/actor, both talented musicians. Bridge Over Troubled Water was their final album. It was released in 1970. It went on to become one of the WORLDS best selling albums.
Simon & Garfunkel won 7 grammy awards. In 1990 they were inducted into the Rock & Roll hall of fame. A Bridge over Troubled Water is a classic. instantly recognizable when played. It seamlessly flows from generation to generation.
Paul Simons songwriting touches the space inside us that “knowing” or relating comes from. His released songs are well known work and receive worthy attention.
In 1997 a previous unreleased collection of songs was released. Two box set. Old Friends is my favorite release. It’s poetry for the soul. The simple truths of life are captured in this particular song. The chaotic musical notes towards the end can be jarring when 1st heard. Yet it represents the completeness of the Circle of Life. The song relays a story of 2 friends sitting on a City Bench contemplating life. I recognize the city benches in my own city as well as the benches in cities I drive through. Seems most cities, even low population cities, have a public bench where friends gather to sit, talk, think, or just be.
The song Old Friends awakens an awareness. I am still. A silence encompasses me. A knowing for a brief moment, words cannot fully explain. An experience that has to be experienced.
The lyrics are below. Take a break from your day and listen to this masterpiece wherever you stream your music. You will have an emotional experience that stays with you. Good, Bad, Scary, you cannot NOT have a resonance. This is the genius of this song. I encourage you to let yourself be stilled by this song.
I love to listen to Simon & Garfunkel whatever I am doing. Gardening, cooking, cleaning, writing. Their music just has that unique ability to enhance your day. I will play Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, & Thyme while gardening it makes me smile every time.
Old Friends
Old friends, old friends
Sat on their park bench like bookends
A newspaper blown through the grass
Falls on the round toes
Of the high shoes of the old friends
Old friends, winter companions, the old men
Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sunset
The sounds of the city sifting through trees
Settle like dust on the shoulders of the old friends
Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly?
How terribly strange to be 70
Old friends, memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fears
Bette River 