Does anyone know what inspired the song Sound of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkel?

Question

Many people use secular music at funerals now, but my father died in 1976. He requested that no organ music be played, and Sound of Silence was one of three songs he requested be played at his funeral. It was not a common practice, and turned heads at the visitation and the funeral. I have never heard any story for the inspiration of that song. I will also take a minute to apologize for missing answering all my contacts questions. I have been sick. Not to worry, but I am recovering slow. I miss all of you.

Answer 1

Eagle, I am SO happy to see you back. I hope you're alright. The story about your father is touching, and he obviously had wonderful taste in music. I think this choice of music can tells us a great deal about him and his desire to see people communicate with one another humanely.

I don't know that anything in particular moved Paul to write this song, but it is one that took him six months to write - averaging about a line a day. This is what I've read, of course, not straight from the horse's mouth, but I've heard him speak similar words in interviews. He was young, just received his Bachelor's in English, and was deeply troubled by man's inability to communicate with his fellow man. Everyone should read the lyrics to this song. They have a brilliant ring of truth to them. "Sounds" was also used in the movie "The Graduate" and was pretty much the theme for all that happened. If only people could talk without judgment or insult and be honest the "mess" never would have happened. It was Simon's first #1 in the states. (Yup, England discovered him first). Simon has said it was not about the Vietnam War but since it took off during wartime (1966) many people think that's what prompted him to write it. He wrote it a few years after JFK's death and has said that the post-Kennedy era was a tough one - he doesn't mention it being the reason he wrote the song but says it certainly is part of what encouraged him to. I usually like Wiki but it's not always quite 'up' on its info. I say this only because of what I've heard him say in interviews. Batgirl may be utterly correct though. I love 'er.

Many people find the song somewhat sophomoric and for a while I kind of did as well. Then I thought of the implications his words had, and how hard he'd worked on writing them and re-read the lyrics. I was wrong. They were wrong. It may sound a bit 'fresh-out-of-school-English-major" but it is a brilliant and insightful song nonetheless:

Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again.
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains within the sounds of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone,
Through narrow streets of cobblestone.
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp,
When my eyes were stabbed
By the flash of a neon light,
That split the night,
And touched the sounds of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never shared.
No one dared disturb the sound of silence
"Fools!" said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the world of silence.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they'd made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming,
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls,
And tenement halls,"
And whispered in the sounds of silence.

(((Eagle))) Thanks, honey. I am sending positive and healing thoughts your way.

Answer 2

I just want to say home deeply moving I find the song "The Sound of Silence". The words are like a haunting classic poem!

It reminds me of a sad prayer on a disappointing day.

I trust my gut about these things, more than "propaganda" press releases designed to win more fans.

Ditto for others of their songs, especially including "I am a Rock...I am an Island"!!! Masterpieces of poetry, as well as hit songs!!!

I feel it is also sad communication with God on a bad day!!!

I don't always buy what authors say inspired them. For all I know it's their Public Relations firm's BS.

All Glory to God who inspires us to greater heights, if we let Him. When I say something brilliant (like my 10 pt answers), I feel He inspired it, from deeper wisdom than my own!

I feel God speaks to me through their song "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"! Those words fit Jesus to an extent, and the song makes me think of finding The Way.

Other S & G songs are great poetry...great literature...but don't make me think of my own prayer life, like "The Boxer". Great words too, but for some one else.

A song means what it means to me (not S & G)!

I feel as if God is the author, at some deep level, because the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart through this music; and these songs inspire me to pray honestly on my bad days!

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the 'vision that was planted' in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo' of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
'Hear my words' that I might teach you
'Take my arms' that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and 'prayed'
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the 'prophets' are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence

AWESOME!!!

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sound_of_Silence

It was written by Paul Simon in the aftermath of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Simon conceived of the song as a way of capturing the emotional trauma felt by many Americans left by the sudden death of a vigorous and visionary leader.

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

They visited a Buddhist monastery that had a vow of silence.

Answer 6

it was inspired after that had a conversation with a christian, that is why they chose the title sound of silence because that is what they would have liked to hear instead of so many jimbo jambo.

Answer 7

I don't know, but I love that song. :))

(((Eagle Woman))) I'm so glad you're feeling better and are back with us. I missed you friend.

Answer 8

no I don't but i am sure that thricey does,
sorry you have been sick, feel free to e mail me anytime you need prayer,

Answer 9

batgirl2good nailed it! i will be praying for your continued recovery, and increased strength and energy