| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Front cover of the US and some overseas vinyl releases (back cover shows Garfunkel) | ||||
| Single bySimon & Garfunkel | ||||
| from the albumBridge over Troubled Water | ||||
| B-side | "Keep the Customer Satisfied" | |||
| Released | January 20, 1970 (1970-01-20) | |||
| Recorded |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:55 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Simon & Garfunkel singles chronology | ||||
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| Official audio | ||||
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" onYouTube | ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
"Bridge over Troubled Water" is a song by the Americanfolk rock duoSimon & Garfunkel, released in January 1970 as the second single from their fifth studio album,Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). It was written byPaul Simon and produced by Simon,Art Garfunkel andRoy Halee.
"Bridge over Troubled Water" features lead vocals byArt Garfunkel and a piano accompaniment influenced bygospel music, with a "Wall of Sound"-style production.[4][5] It was the last song recorded for the album, but the first completed.[6] The instrumentation, provided by theWrecking Crew, was recorded in California, while Simon and Garfunkel's vocals were recorded in New York.[6][7][8][9] Simon felt Garfunkel should sing solo, an invitation Garfunkel initially declined.[10] Session musicianLarry Knechtel performs piano, withJoe Osborn playingbass guitar andHal Blaine on drums.
The song won five awards at the13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971, includingGrammy Award for Record of the Year andSong of the Year. It is Simon & Garfunkel's most successful single, topping the USBillboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks, and was the No. 1 song on theBillboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970. It also hit number one in the United Kingdom, Canada, France and New Zealand. It reached the top five in eight other countries, eventually selling over six million copies worldwide. It became one of the most performed songs of the 20th century, covered by over 50 artists, includingElvis Presley,Aretha Franklin andJohnny Cash. It is ranked number 66 onRolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
"Bridge over Troubled Water" was composed byPaul Simon in early 1969; the song came to him very quickly, so much so that he asked himself: "Where did that come from? It doesn't seem like me."[10][11][12] The title concept was inspired byClaude Jeter's line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in my name," which Jeter sang with his group, theSwan Silvertones, in the 1959 song "Mary Don't You Weep."[13][14] According to gospel producer and historianAnthony Heilbut, Simon acknowledged his debt to Jeter in person, and handed Jeter a check.[15] Simon namedJohann Sebastian Bach's "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" as inspiration for parts of the melody.[16] Simon wrote the song initially on guitar but transposed it to the piano to reflect thegospel influence and suit Garfunkel's voice.[6]
Simon told his partner,Art Garfunkel, that Garfunkel should sing it alone, the "white choirboy way", though Simon adds harmony on the final verse.[10] Garfunkel felt it was not right for him;[6] he liked Simon'sfalsetto on the demo and suggested that Simon sing. At the suggestion of Garfunkel and producerRoy Halee, Simon wrote an extra verse and a "bigger" ending, though he felt it was less cohesive with the earlier verses.[17] The final verse was written about Simon's then-wife Peggy Harper, who had noticed her first gray hairs ("Sail on, silvergirl").[18][19] It does not refer to a drug abuser's hypodermic needle, as is sometimes claimed.[20] The verse was Garfunkel's idea, but Simon reportedly did not like it.[21]
"Bridge over Troubled Water" was the final track recorded for the album but the first completed, with an additional two weeks of post-production.[6] Simon initially composed the song inG major, but arranger and composerJimmie Haskell transposed the song toE-flat major to suit Garfunkel's voice.[22] The song's instrumental parts were recorded in August 1969 in California, to make it easier for Garfunkel to go to Mexico to filmCatch-22.[9][12] Simon wanted agospel piano sound, and hired session musicianLarry Knechtel.Joe Osborn played two separate bass tracks, one high and the other low. A string section entering in the third verse completed the arrangement. Thedrums were played byHal Blaine in anecho chamber to achieve a hall effect and Los Angeles session percussionist Gary Coleman played theVibraphone. The arranger Ernie Freeman labelled his string arrangement as "Like a Pitcher of Water".[23]
Simon and Garfunkel returned to New York in November 1969 to record the vocals.[24][7][6][12] The vocal style in "Bridge over Troubled Water" was inspired byPhil Spector's technique in "Old Man River" byThe Righteous Brothers.[25] Simon said it sounded likethe Beatles' "Let It Be", stating in aRolling Stone interview: "They are very similar songs, certainly in instrumentation."[26]
As their relations frayed preceding their 1970 breakup, Simon began to experience regret for allowing Garfunkel to sing it solo:
He felt I should have done it, and many times on a stage, though, when I'd be sitting off to the side and Larry Knechtel would be playing the piano and Artie would be singing "Bridge", people would stomp and cheer when it was over, and I would think, "That's my song, man..."[10]
Billboard called it a "beautiful, almost religious-oriented ballad" whose "performance and arrangement are perfect."[27]Cash Box said that "set in parable, this love ballad carries a two-level interpretation" and praised "Garfunkel’s magnificent vocal performance and the material."[28]Record World predicted that the song would "equal [the duo's] 'Boxer' success."[29]
The song has also been lauded as one of the greatest by Simon & Garfunkel. In 2017,The Guardian called the song one of the best by the duo, describing it as "heart-stirring".[30]The Independent similarly lauded the song in 2020, calling it "a transcendent experience" and ranking it as the best song by the group.[31]
Despite the song's five-minute length, Columbia decided to release "Bridge over Troubled Water" for play on pop radio. AM radio had previously playedBob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" in 1965, despite its running over the conventional three-minute playtime limit. This figured in Columbia's decision to release the five-minute version of "Bridge over Troubled Water" as a single.[32] It reached number one on theBillboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at the top of the chart for six weeks. "Bridge over Troubled Water" also topped theadult contemporary chart in the US for six weeks.[33]Billboard ranked it as theNo. 1 song for 1970.[34]
The song was certified Gold for over one million copies in the US by theRecording Industry Association of America,[35] and sold over six million copies worldwide.[36][37]
The single won theGrammy Award for Record of the Year,Song of the Year,Best Contemporary Song, andBest Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals in theGrammy Awards of 1971, with its album also winningAlbum of the Year.
Weekly charts[edit]
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Certifications[edit]
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"Bridge over Troubled Water" entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 at no.13 on February 9, 1970. It jumped to no.3 the following week before climbing to no.1.During a six-week run at the top – the most for any single that year – Simon and Garfunkel held off strong competition fromCreedence Clearwater Revival ("Travelin' Band") andThe Jaggerz ("The Rapper"). Then, on April 11, the song fell to no.5 – replaced byThe Beatles' "Let It Be". "Bridge over Troubled Water" concluded a 13-week run in the US top 40 on 9 May as their follow-up hit "Cecilia" began its rise to no.4.
As in the US, "Bridge over Troubled Water" made its UK top 40 bow at no.13, on February 28, 1970. The song climbed steadily over the next four weeks before claiming no.1 on March 28. During a three-week stay at the top, it held off strong competition fromMary Hopkin with "Knock, Knock Who's There?" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" byAndy Williams.Then, on April 18, the song fell to no.2 – replaced by "All Kinds of Everything" byDana.In total, "Bridge over Troubled Water" spent seventeen weeks in the UK top 40 (concluding on June 27).
"Bridge over Troubled Water" has been covered by over 50 artists,[66] includingElvis Presley andWillie Nelson.Merry Clayton recorded a version in gospel style on her 1970 albumGimme Shelter.[67] A cover was included onThe Supremes 1970 releaseNew Ways But Love Stays with lead vocals byJean Terrell, Roberta Flack on her 1971 album - "Quiet Fire",Mary Wilson, andCindy Birdsong. A cover recorded byJohnny Cash andFiona Apple for Cash'sAmerican IV: The Man Comes Around album was nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in2003.[68]
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byAretha Franklin | ||||
| from the albumAretha's Greatest Hits | ||||
| B-side | "Brand New Me" | |||
| Released | 1971 | |||
| Recorded | August 13, 1970[69] | |||
| Studio | Atlantic (New York City) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Aretha Franklin singles chronology | ||||
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Aretha Franklin's gospel-infusedcover version was recorded in the summer of 1970, during the sessions for what would become her 1972 albumYoung, Gifted and Black. Franklin debuted her version on March 5, 1971, during her landmark three-night stint at San Francisco'sFillmore West, which was later released asAretha Live at Fillmore West. Eleven days later, she performed the song on television for the first time at the13th Annual Grammy Awards, at which an already-disbanded Simon & Garfunkel picked up five Grammy Awards for the song. Franklin's Grammy performance was released decades later on the 1994 compilationGrammy's Greatest Moments Volume III.
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | |
|---|---|
| Song byElvis Presley | |
| from the albumThat's the Way It Is | |
| Released | 1970 |
| Recorded | 1970 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 4:35 |
| Label | RCA |
| Producer(s) | Felton Jarvis |
In 1970,Elvis Presley covered the song.[71]
Chet Atkins andJerry Reed recorded an instrumental version of the song and released it on their 1970 albumMe & Jerry. The song appears as the second song on the album's first side and features both Reed and Atkins playing guitar trading lines back and forth with each other.[72] The album and their rendition of the song received generally positive reviews with the former going on to win the 1971Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance.[73][74]
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byLinda Clifford | ||||
| from the albumLet Me Be Your Woman | ||||
| B-side | "Hold Me Close" | |||
| Released | 1979 | |||
| Recorded | 1978 | |||
| Genre | Disco | |||
| Length |
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| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon | |||
| Producer(s) | Gil Askey | |||
| Linda Clifford singles chronology | ||||
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Linda Clifford,Curtis Mayfield's protégée signed on his Curtom label, released an up-tempodisco version of "Bridge over Troubled Water" on her albumLet Me Be Your Woman in March 1979. This epic version (10:20 in length) was produced byGil Askey (jazz trumpet player and musical director for manyMotown acts) and mixed by Jimmy Simpson, brother ofValerie Simpson fromAshford and Simpson. The song has two originalities, the first one being a 132 bpmtempo (considered the ideal tempo for disco dancing) when the Simon and Garfunkel original is 82 bpm and Aretha Franklin's cover is 76 bpm. It was the first time that this song was covered with a fast tempo. It also has a highly original "Braziliancuica on a disco beat" break. It became a US disco number 11, pop number 41, R&B number 49 and UK number 28.[75]
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | |
|---|---|
| Single by P.J.B. featuring Hannah and Her Sisters | |
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:45 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon |
| Producer(s) | Pete Bellotte |
In 1991, P.J.B. featuring Hannah and Her Sisters, a UK group assembled by British songwriter, record producer and authorPete Bellotte and fronted by British singerHannah Jones, released a dance cover of "Bridge over Troubled Water" which reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.[76] The group appeared onTop of the Pops as the opening act on the 26 September 1991 episode.
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Europe (European Dance Radio)[77] | 24 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[78] | 21 |
In 2003,American Idolseason two runner-upClay Aiken performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" during the competition. After the final results were announced,RCA Records released the song as adouble A-side single with "This Is the Night" in Canada in New Zealand; in the US, "This Is the Night" was credited as a solo release since it received a higher cumulative airplay audience.[79][80] The double A-side charted at number one in both Canada and New Zealand, earning a sextuple-platinum sales certification in the former country and a platinum disc in the latter.[81][82] On New Zealand's year-end chart for 2003, the single was ranked at number 38.[83]
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[84] | 1 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[85] | 1 |
| USAdult Contemporary (Billboard)[86] | 29 |
A rewriting of the song with Cantonese lyrics ("Many hearts prevail" –zh:滔滔千里心) was collectively sung by many Hong Kong singers for public shows in Hong Kong to raise funds after theEastern China flood of 1991. In 2009 it was also used in theArtistes 88 Fund Raising Campaign for the victims ofTyphoon Morakot.[87]
Dami Im covered this song during the Family Heroes-themed sixth live show of the fifth season ofAustralian X Factor on September 29, 2013.[88] Im's performance of the song debuted at number 15 on theAustralian Singles Chart. Im later released a version of the song on herself-titled album,[89] which debuted at number 1 in Australia, and was certified Platinum.[90]
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Artists for Grenfell | |
| Released | June 21, 2017 |
| Recorded | June 2017 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Length | 3:53 |
| Label | Syco |
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon |
| Producer(s) | |
| Music video | |
| "Bridge over Troubled Water" onYouTube | |
To raise money for the families of the victims of theGrenfell Tower fire in June 2017 and forThe London Community Foundation,Simon Cowell arranged the recording and release of a charity single on June 21, 2017.[91] London-borngrime artistStormzy featured prominently, having written a fresh 16-line intro to the song which specifically referenced the tragedy. The recording reached number one on theUK Singles Chart on June 23, 2017 after just two days of availability, and was certified gold by the BPI on January 31, 2020.[92][93] The artists were awarded with thePower of Music Award at the2017 MTV Europe Music Awards.[94][95]
The song was performed by the following artists (in order of appearance):[91]
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[96] | 53 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[97] | 32 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[98] | 26 |
| Finland Download (Latauslista)[99] | 23 |
| France (SNEP)[100] | 111 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40)[101] | 31 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[102] | 25 |
| New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[103] | 4 |
| Scotland (OCC)[104] | 1 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[105] | 28 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[93] | 1 |
Willie Nelson covered the song in the closing ceremony of the2002 Winter Olympics inSalt Lake City.[106]
Mary J. Blige,David Foster, andAndrea Bocelli performed the song on January 31, 2010, during the52nd Grammy Awards ceremony, in the context of raising awareness for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.[107] This version reached number 75 on the USBillboard Hot 100.
ForBBC Children in Need in2012, over 2,500 children sang the song in unison from 15 towns across the UK.[108][109] The performance started in the studio before cutting between the choirs as they sang giving each choir around 15 seconds on air, this was all done in real time. However 5 of the choirs weren't included in the link up shown on the night and were instead shown later on the highlights show.They were led byAled Jones who conducted the choir in theLondon studio.The Choirs sang from:London atBBC Television Centre the studio where the main telethon was held,Aberdeen at TheBeach Ballroom,[108][110]Northumberland atThe Alnwick Garden,[108][109]Swindon atSteam: Museum of the Great Western Railway,[108][111]Birmingham atThe Mailbox,[108]Belfast atThe Broadcasting House,[108][112]East Sussex atGlyndebourne,[108][113]Cardiff atThe BBC Hoddinott Hall,[108][114]Scunthorpe atBaths Hall[108] andWinchester atIntech.[108][115] The choirs not included were:Cambridge atWest Road Concert Hall,[108][116]Exeter at The Forum Library,Exeter University,[108][117]Leicestershire at Conkers Discovery Centre,[108][118]Rotherham atMagna Science Adventure Centre[108] andSalford atThe BBC Philharmonic Studio atMediaCityUK[119]
On December 9, 2013,Tessanne Chin covered the song onseason 5 ofNBC's singing competitionThe Voice for the semifinal round. The song went to the number one spot on iTunes within 12 hours, with her becoming the first contestant to achieve the top chart position at the end of an applicable voting window that season.[120]
"A Bridge over You", a charity single recorded and released independently by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, the choir of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust located in south-east London, was a mashup of "Bridge over Troubled Water" andColdplay's 2005 single "Fix You", with additional arrangement by the choir's conductor, Peter Mitchell. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart at Christmas 2015.[citation needed]
In August 2019,Kodi Lee covered the song onAmerica's Got Talent in the quarter-finals of the competition. Simon Cowell revealed that Paul Simon personally signed off to allow him to sing the song within thirty minutes of the show producers asking for permission.[121]
Matt Bellamy fromMuse released a cover on September 8, 2020, stating it is one of his "favorite songs of all time...We should all reach out and be there for our friends right now!"[123]
In2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the gold medalist pair ofpair skating,Sui Wenjing &Han Cong, adapted the mixed cover of this song, byLinda Eder andJohn Legend, in their free skating programme with a stunning score, 155.47 points.[124]
Jacob Collier (who was featured on the Artists for Grenfell cover) released his own acapella rendition of the song featuringJohn Legend,Tori Kelly, and uncredited vocals fromYebba as part of his albumDjesse Vol. 4 on February 22, 2024, as the last single.[125]
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{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)| Sounds of Silence |
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| Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme | |
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| Bridge over Troubled Water |
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