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Bridge Over Troubled Water

Certain Songs #2218: Simon & Garfunkel – “The Only Living Boy in New York”

November 3, 2021 by Jim Connelly

Album: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Year: 1970

. . .

Perhaps the original New York Lonely Boy song — and on the short list of Prettiest Songs Ever Recorded, Folk-Rock Division — this ridiculously lovely piece of pop-craft was Paul Simon’s most direct comment on the tensions that were radiating off of the always-tenuous partnership he’d forged with Art Garfunkel, but of course, it needed both of them to fully make it work.

Early on in the recording of the Bridge Over Troubled Water album, Art Garfunkel took off to Mexico to play Nately in Mike Nichols’ adaptation of Catch-22, leaving Paul Simon to wonder about their friendship and partnership, which of course went all the way back to the late 50s, when they recorded as Tom & Jerry.

[Read more…] about Certain Songs #2218: Simon & Garfunkel – “The Only Living Boy in New York”

Filed Under: Certain Songs Tagged With: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel, The Only Living Boy in New York

Certain Songs #2217: Simon & Garfunkel – “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

November 2, 2021 by Jim Connelly

Album: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Year: 1970

. . .

I was going to say that “Bridge Over Troubled Water” invented the power ballad, but since there is nary a guitar to be found on it — even though Paul Simon wrote it on an acoustic guitar — but that wouldn’t be quite accurate. Obviously, there’s some Spectoresque qualities to it, as well, though it’s also too piano-driven to be full Spector.

And it would probably feel like damning with faint praise to point that this song invented Barry Manilow, even if we didn’t realize it for a few years.

[Read more…] about Certain Songs #2217: Simon & Garfunkel – “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

Filed Under: Certain Songs Tagged With: Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel

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Previously on Medialoper

  • Certain Songs #2632: Talking Heads – “Puzzlin’ Evidence”
  • Certain Songs #2631: Talking Heads – “Road to Nowhere”
  • Certain Songs #2630: Talking Heads – “And She Was”
  • Certain Songs #2629: Talking Heads – “What A Day That Was (Los Angeles 12-1983)”
  • Certain Songs #2628: Talking Heads – “Slippery People (Los Angeles 12-1983)”

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