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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
friskybivalves · 07/04/2023 09:31

Ohhh the live Central Park version of Bridge over Troubled Water is just...sublime. and The Boxer is another favourite. Wish I'd ever seen them play.

SockGoddess · 07/04/2023 09:32

Though I don’t listen to them a lot, I do prefer the original s&g performances. The harmonies, the vibe of 60s/70s folk is what I like. I don’t mind cover versions in general but s&g are so tied to those original songs imo.

also agree Graceland is one of the best albums ever made and doesn’t even sound dated.

AuntieMarys · 07/04/2023 09:32

Slitherie · 07/04/2023 07:52

YANBU

The Sound Of Silence by Disturbed is an absolute masterpiece … I listen to it all the time and when I hear the original it sounds like a karaoke version … no emotion or feeling in it at all

It is fantastic

Ambertonix · 07/04/2023 09:33

Have you heard Pentatonix's version. They are an accapella group and i can honestly say they knock spots off either S&G's version or indeed Disturbed. They dont do covers, they do upgrades!

CatchYouOnTheFlippetyFlop · 07/04/2023 09:36

Yab so fucking U and if I had more info, I would hunt you down and do something serious. Joking, but not joking 😅

HOW VERY DARE YOU

TheyAreMinerals · 07/04/2023 09:44

Garfunkel.
Garfunk-el.
Not -funkle.

Highlyflavouredgravy · 07/04/2023 09:45

Never heard the disturbed fersion- just listened. Awful! Not a patch on the otiginal!

LongLostNailVarnish · 07/04/2023 09:46

i like all the covers think they are good, but just different I wouldn't say better.

on side note do you know the back story to sound of silence?

Art spent along time supporting a friend who lost his sight. its a quite a touching story.

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-story-behind-simon-and-garfunkel-sound-of-silence/

The Story Behind The Song: Simon and Garfunkel’s mesmeric ‘Sound of Silence’

A friend in need.

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-story-behind-simon-and-garfunkel-sound-of-silence

TheyAreMinerals · 07/04/2023 09:46

Also Graceland wasn't S and G. It was just Paul Simon.

ODFOx · 07/04/2023 09:49

YABU !!!!

BestIsWest · 07/04/2023 09:49

No, I think you’re wrong. I don’t mind some of the other versions but they are not better. Bob Dylan though.

NotSorry · 07/04/2023 09:53

HeddaGarbled · 07/04/2023 08:14

Nope. The harmony of the two voices is something special. And that Disturbed version turns the original into a ten-a-penny power ballad.

Thought it was just me! The Disturbed version is awful - the song is called the “sound of silence” and the singer shouts most of the way through it

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 07/04/2023 09:55

I don’t like the Pentinax version or Peyton Parish. Too overproduced.

l like Disturbed though.

Enko · 07/04/2023 09:58

CoalCraft · 07/04/2023 08:01

Definitely agree re. Bob Dylan. Simon and Garfunkel I'm on the fence. Most of the time I think the original and the cover are both good.

I agree with this.

I also think many of S and G covers are soo different it makes you stop and listen.

I really love firstaid kits version of America but I also love the original version.

MrsMariaReynolds · 07/04/2023 10:08

Nope. gavel bang I'm not having it.

I fail to see what's so "great" about the Disturbed version of Sound of Silence, apart from it being a bit more gritty and modern. S&G's songs are 60+ years old now. Perhaps it's not greatness you're hearing in the remakes, but newness.

bellinisurge · 07/04/2023 10:09

Really don't like them. Too many "young people's Mass" at school where S&G were the soundtrack.

HoppingPavlova · 07/04/2023 10:10

Absolutely love S&G. I’m in camp Disturbed though for SoS, love it and can’t go back to S&G’s now. Can’t think of any other covers I believe are better though.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 07/04/2023 10:11

Glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t get why The Sound Of Silence by Disturbed is good. Original is way better.

RaininSummer · 07/04/2023 10:13

Disagree entirely and don't like the Disturbia version.

RoseslnTheHospital · 07/04/2023 10:17

HarlanPepper · 07/04/2023 09:21

I love Simon and Garfunkel and I've got a deep emotional attachment to their music. So I don't agree in general, BUT I've always loved that Lemonheads Mrs Robinson cover.

This is me too. I love Simon and Garfunkel's Mrs Robinson but the Lemonheads cover was right in my 90s teenage years and I also have a fondness for it. Its "as good" as the original!

The Disturbed version of Sound of Silence is interesting and powerful, but not better than S&G's original.

And finally, Garfunkel is not the weak link in the duo. It's their different voices in harmony that makes the sound unique. Paul Simon on his own is a great songwriter and singer but together they were just sublime.

Iwasafool · 07/04/2023 10:24

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.

Yes, this sums it up.

Iwantthepenthouse · 07/04/2023 10:28

I'm so pleased I'm not the only one who cannot stand that Disturbed cover. People went nuts over it and kept telling me to listen again, it's amazing etc etc

Dreadful.

OP, you are so so wrong about Art Garfunkel.

And covering Mrs Robinson was a terrible mistake for The Lemonheads.

LadyLyndon · 07/04/2023 10:34

Edie Brickell’s version of Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall (Dylan) is a masterpiece. She is also married to Paul Simon.

BestIsWest · 07/04/2023 10:55

DH likes the Disturbed version, I don’t. But I love the First Aid Kit version of America. It’s not better than the original though.

comeondover · 07/04/2023 10:56

Another vote for the Disturbed version of The Sound of Silence. It's great to turn up loud and bellow along to, and if I need a cry somehow this helps.

I'll also risk controversy by saying I prefer Nirvana's version of The Man Who Sold The World, and Natalie Merchant's Space Odyssey, to the Bowie originals.

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