About the song
“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel is a timeless masterpiece that has resonated with listeners for generations. Released in 1964 as part of their debut album, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.,” this iconic song has become synonymous with the folk-rock genre.
Written by Paul Simon, “The Sound of Silence” explores themes of alienation, communication, and the search for meaning in a modern world. Its haunting melody and evocative lyrics strike a chord with listeners, inviting them to reflect on the silence that pervades their lives.
Upon its initial release, “The Sound of Silence” received modest attention, failing to make a significant impact on the charts. However, a remix of the song by producer Tom Wilson in 1965 propelled it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it remained for multiple weeks.
The success of “The Sound of Silence” catapulted Simon & Garfunkel to international fame, cementing their status as one of the most influential musical duos of the 1960s. The song’s powerful message and captivating melody struck a chord with audiences around the world, earning it a permanent place in the annals of music history.
Decades later, “The Sound of Silence” continues to captivate new generations of listeners, its themes of isolation and introspection remaining as relevant as ever. As listeners immerse themselves in its haunting refrain, they are transported to a world where silence speaks volumes, and the search for meaning never ceases.
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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”