“The Sound of Silence” is a song by the American rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. It was written by Paul Simon and originally released in 1964 as an acoustic ballad on the album “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” However, the initial release didn’t gain much attention.
About The Song
The song’s more famous version, the one that became a massive hit, was the electric rock version released in 1965. The producer Tom Wilson overdubbed electric instruments without the knowledge of Simon & Garfunkel, turning the folk ballad into a folk rock hit.
The lyrics of “The Sound of Silence” are known for their poetic and enigmatic nature. They touch on themes of alienation, communication breakdown, and the struggle to connect in a modern, urbanized society.
Musically, the song is characterized by its haunting melody, Simon’s distinctive fingerpicking guitar style, and the harmonious vocals of Simon & Garfunkel. The electric version incorporated a more rock-oriented arrangement, giving the song a powerful and atmospheric quality.
“The Sound of Silence” became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts and becoming one of Simon & Garfunkel’s signature songs. It has since been covered by various artists and remains a classic in the folk rock genre.
Video
Lyric
🎵 Let’s sing along with the 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 street lamp
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”