Caleb Warner

Music and Culture

Simon and Garfukel

The style of Rock music originated in the United States by evolving from the musical styles of the blues,
Rhythm and Blues, and Rockabilly which eventually became what we know today as Rock and Roll. Rock and
Roll has evolved to envelop many different styles of music. One of the sub genres of rock music is known as
folk rock. Folk rock combined the elements of folk music and rock. Folk music came to be incorporated with
rock after the folk music revival in the 1960's around the same time that rock emerged. One of the groups that
emerged shortly after the creation of folk rock and thrived in this genre of music was Simon and Garfunkel. Paul
Simon and Arthur Garfunkel together formed their duo music team that was a major representative of folk rock
during the 1960's. Instead of following the psychedelic and acid rock waves like many of their fellow folk rock
bands, they stuck to folk rock and became one of the most prominent folk rock groups of the day. We will
discuss and share the history of the duo and folk rock as well as focus on key elements in 3 of their hit songs that
define Simon and Garfunkel as a folk rock group.
Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel grew up in the same Jewish neighborhood in Queens, New York. They
began performing together when they were in their teenage years. They began singing doo-wop style music on
street corners and were able to have a hit song emerge, Hey School Girl. Neither member received specific
schooling in music, but actually pursued schooling in law (Paul Simon) and mathematics (Arthur Garfunkel).
Through their college years they performed together and made their first album together known as, 3 A.M. In
The Morning. The first album was not successful but one of the songs on the album was later fused with rock
music by a radio station to mimic some success the Byrd's had with their song, Tambourine Man. The song,
The Sound of Silence became a hit overnight and Simon and Garfunkel's era of musical prosperity began.
Simon and Garfunkel received their surge from fusing folk music with Rock. Folk music traditionally
was originated through oral tradition. The songs were more tunes that never had distinct lyrics. The lyrics were
changed to match or express the culture of the region. The tradition allowed for a wide range of diversity among
folk music because it was able to adapt to the culture it was in. As a result the folk music of a region usually

contained tales about history, personal events, and the fusion of cultures. The specific element of expressing
personal events, culture, and politics of the time or region is one of the reasons so many latched onto and
connected with the music shared by Simon and Garfunkel. In the 1960's there was a folk music revival which set
the stage for the style to begin its synergy with rock music. Some other artists that sang folk music in the United
States were Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. The first major hit that combined folk and rock music was Bob
Dylan's, Tambourine Man covered by the Byrd's as shared before. The Rock style instrumentation as well as
the story told by the song made it a hit. Because of its success, it paved the way for the birth of folk rock.
Simon and Garfunkel were able to ride the surge that The Sound of Silence gave them. Although the
rock influence put The Sound of Silence in the popular music group, the personal anguish that Simon shares in
the lyrics of the song is what made it connect with the listeners of the time. The lyrics shared the groups introvert
nature as well as the social situation of the time. Lyrics such as, hello darkness, my old friend, People talking
without speaking, Writing songs with voices no one shared... No one dared, Silence like a cancer grows,
amplified the mood of the song to the listener. The early 1960's historically held a lot of controversy about
voices. The civil rights movement was in full swing in the 60's and President John F. Kennedy was assassinated
in 1963. Additionally the beginning surges for the 26th amendment to the constitution which changed the voting
age from 21 to 18 were made. Subsequently the instrumentation of the song shared the emotions of society by
being very simple, but changing with the mood of the music. For example as the lyrics became more emotional
and vigorous the instrumentation and tempo increased and grew into a forte only to die off at the end as the last
lyrics, the sound of silence were sung a capella. Thus the song held the folk elements in the message and tone
of the music while the rock elements were portrayed in the electric guitar and percussion that accompanied the
song.
Simon and Garfunkel's next musical rendition that captured the elements of folk and rock was,
Scarborough Fair. Scarborough Fair, is a very traditional Anglo Celtic folk ballad. Paul Simon lived in
England for a time and was influenced much while there and is where he was introduced to this ballad. Simons
rendition of Scarborough Fair, is one of the musical successes that Simon and Garfunkel had together.
Scarborough Fair, being an old Anglo Celtic classic follows the 4X3X4 Ballad meter. The 4x3x4 ballad meter

is the use of the iambic pentameter four times in the first bar then three times in next adding up to make two sets
of seven. For example, the opening line for, Scarborough Fair is, ARe you GOIng to SCARborough FAir.
The four emphasized iambic syllables. The process of using the same tune or music but different lyrics as the
song progresses is known as strophic form. The use of the strophic form allows the song to tell a story, another
key element for a ballad. Following the first verse a piano with a weird exotic sound is introduced into the
accompaniment. The sound produced by the piano is known as the pentatonic scale, another common ballad
element. Simon and Garfunkel's melodic voices merge perfectly with the simple guitar and abnormal sounds
made by the piano, giving the song an almost floating feeling. There is a complex moving lyrical part that
shadows every verse of the song except part of the first verse, and the last verse. It is almost a whisper at the
beginning, but grows louder as the song progresses. It seems as though Simon and Garfunkel were giving a
second message through the song that almost becomes the dominant message. The last shadowing lyrics are,
Generals order their soldiers to kill, and to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten. In 1966 when the
album, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme was distributed the United States had been bombing many
different places in South East Asia and the war had become very unpopular. The last line, to fight for a cause
they've long ago forgotten has almost a haunting truth for the issues of the time, making, Scarborough Fair a
beautiful protest song. The entire song is repeated after an instrumental break as if to give a second emphasis on
the message. Similarly, the folk elements are relevant to the time period and the lyrics discussed the political
issues of the time, while the rock elements are expressed in the musical style played by the instruments.
Simon and Garfunkels most prominent and to me emotionally powerful song is the final song that I will
discuss. Like a Bridge over Troubled Water has been Simon and Garfunkel's most successful and bestselling
song. The song was written and produced towards the end of Simon and Garfunkel's professional career
together. Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water, seems to have significance to both Simon and Garfunkel as well
as to the social circumstances of the U.S. Additionally anyone who empathizes with the song has connected
with it on a personal level. The lyrics are words of comfort to someone in distress. The tender imagery created
by the chorus, I will lay me down like a bridge over troubled water is a resolute declaration of love and
support. Further the power that Arthur Garfunkel sings with adds to the bone chilling feeling that stirs within the
listener. Garfunkel begins the song at a very peaceful pace with a quiet, almost piercing whisper. The lyrics of

the song are words of dependence and encouragement to the recipient. When youre down and out... when you
fall so hard I will comfort you. The image of life as a raging river and the speaker declaring that they will be
the bridge that allows you to cross the troubled waters is the resounding message of the song. The final verse is
changed to, If you need a friend, I am sailing right behind, like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your
mind. The crescendo or gradual increase in volume of the accompaniment and Arthur Garfunkel's voice make
like a bridge over troubled water create an inspiring feeling in the heart. In the final verse Simon harmonizes
with Garfunkel. In addition a violin, guitar, and the march of a snare drum with the piano are added to the final
verse. In the background there is a steady backbeat with what sounds like a cannon shooting off. The beginning
of the song holds the folk elements. The personal lyrics and the application to the time period are again
prominent. The rock elements emerge in the last verse. The contrast of the additional instruments against the
previous musical simplicity gives the song the power to drive home the message into the listeners pathos.
In conclusion Simon and Garfunkel were very successful as a musical duo. The songs they wrote and
performed together affected the generation of their time. Many of their songs have withstood the test of time and
40 years later their songs are still loved, enjoyed, and respected. The lyrics capture you on a personal level, and
the musical combination of vocals and instrumentation, are the elements that made Simon and Garfunkel
successful and what defined them as a folk rock group. The Sound of Silence, was directly affected by the
rock influence and helped to slingshot Simon and Garfunkels career. Scarborough Fair continued their
success and aided in connecting the audience to the music. Like A Bridge Over Troubled Water with its grand
ending that contained both the folk and rock musical styles was a fitting end for Simon and Garfunkel.