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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Controversial Opinion - Simon and Garfunkle

158 replies

Magenta82 · 07/04/2023 07:49

I've long harboured this opinion and so far the people I've voiced it to have been split so I thought I would throw it out to you lovely ladies.

Paul Simon is a genius, his songs and music are amazing, however, pretty much every cover version is better than the original that was sung by Simon and Garfunkle.

So Mumsnet, AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
lsanny · 07/04/2023 08:17

YABU

danceyourselfdizzy1 · 07/04/2023 08:18

NormaTheWife · 07/04/2023 08:15

Try listening to the Peyton Parrish version of the Sound of Silence.

Yikes!

ByTheSea · 07/04/2023 08:19

I am a massive Simon and Garfunkel fan and YABU. Also a big Dylan fan and agree more with that comment. That said, Paul Simon is a songwriting genius so of course covers of his brilliant songs will be brilliant.

ididntwanttodoit · 07/04/2023 08:20

YABVU. Many cover versions are great, because the songs themselves are great. The S&G versions are very much of their time. Personally, I think they are sublime, especially - Old Friends/April, Come She Will/Sound of Silence.

lljkk · 07/04/2023 08:21

I loathe Disturbed Sound of Silence. For me it has no charms.
I will check out the other covers, though.
As a kid I found Bridge-troubled waters fairly flat, it's tolerable now, would definitely appreciate a better cover of that.

Fairislefandango · 07/04/2023 08:22

YABU. And it's Garfunkel!

Awrite · 07/04/2023 08:23

I prefer Paul Simon's solo stuff.

However, I do agree that the cover versions you listed are better than the originals.

I guess Art is the weak link then.

JulieHoney · 07/04/2023 08:24

The fact there are some great cover versions just speaks for how strong the songwriting is. However, S&G are outstanding.

Bemyclementine · 07/04/2023 08:24

@lljkk thank goodness, I thought I was the only one. It was doing the rounds on social media a few years ago, so I listened to it several times. I can't understand the love for it

So1invictus · 07/04/2023 08:25

Disturbed's SoS is a masterpiece. It so is the original.
I do agree with Dylan though. They forgot to tell him he couldn't sing. As a lyricist though, he is a poet.

Original poster
Magenta82 · 07/04/2023 08:25

NormaTheWife · 07/04/2023 08:15

Try listening to the Peyton Parrish version of the Sound of Silence.

This is one of the exceptions! It is much worse than the original.

OP posts:
Slitherie · 07/04/2023 08:27

I bet Marilyn Manson would do an amazing cover of Sound of Silence

i recommend his version of “Cry Little Sister” from the lost boys

or Sweet Dreams. So much better than the originals

LadyEloise1 · 07/04/2023 08:29

Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 07/04/2023 08:08

Nope Simon and Garfunkel are amazing and I won't hear any of this nonsense! Their harmonies are just beautiful.

This

LadyEloise1 · 07/04/2023 08:29

StopFeckingFaffing · 07/04/2023 08:09

There have been some good covers which isn't surprising with such wonderful songs but I love the classic and distinctive sound of S&G singing so I can't agree with you.

And this.

Original poster
Magenta82 · 07/04/2023 08:31

Awrite · 07/04/2023 08:23

I prefer Paul Simon's solo stuff.

However, I do agree that the cover versions you listed are better than the originals.

I guess Art is the weak link then.

I thought that was well established, the comedy act Garfunkel and Oates made a joke of naming themselves after the weak links in 2 different duets.

OP posts:
LadyEloise1 · 07/04/2023 08:32

@So1invictus - they forgot to tell Dylan he couldn't sing.
😀
And I agree too that he was an amazing lyricist.

Original poster
Magenta82 · 07/04/2023 08:33

Hobbes8 · 07/04/2023 08:07

I haven’t heard a version on bridge over troubled water that I like as much as the original. It’s the weakest cover on Johnny Cash’s awesome cover versions album.

I love his version of Hurt, way way better than the original.

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 07/04/2023 08:33

I don't share your opinion, though both of us agree about the beauty and quality of the songwriting.

BrokenWing · 07/04/2023 08:34

Never heard the cover version from Disturbed before........ not keen, don't get the emotions in it at all, feels shouty for the sake of shouting, too try hard. Personally think S&G version delivers the essence of the song much more powerfully.

Chateaulaohshit · 07/04/2023 08:34

Absolutely not S&G were my 1st great love, the soundtrack to my childhood the melancholy to my teenage years the 1st dance to my daughters, they are just wonderful.

I do enjoy First Aid Kits version of America, but only because very similar harmonies like the original.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pa3xOakbGTo

First Aid Kit - America (Live at Polar Music Prize)

We performed our favorite Simon & Garfunkel song, "America", for Paul Simon at the Polar Music Prize Award Ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Concert H...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pa3xOakbGTo

Original poster
Magenta82 · 07/04/2023 08:34

Fairislefandango · 07/04/2023 08:22

YABU. And it's Garfunkel!

Yeah not sure why my phone decided it needed correcting.

OP posts:
MenopauseSucks · 07/04/2023 08:35

To me, the original S&G songs sound much much better than all the cover versions!
Something about Art's voice just brings me out in goosebumps. Truly beautiful.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 07/04/2023 08:35

We used to do a lot of long car journeys to visit family and we tended to listen to the Simon & Garfunkel Reunion Concert in Central Park. So I was more familiar with their live versions of their own songs than the album versions. When I first heard the recorded, album version of Bridge Over Troubled Water I was a bit disappointed and thought it was over-produced.

I'm over that now though and think it's sublime. I can't listen to that Reunion Concert though without feeling incredibly emotional.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 07/04/2023 08:36

Kina Grannis does a beautiful version of Sound of Silence.

toomuchlaundry · 07/04/2023 08:36

I remember, during the first lockdown, someone made a video of empty towns and streets and used Disturbed’s version of Sound of Silence. It was very evocative. (was then removed from Facebook as assumed hadn’t paid to use the music!)

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