Like timeless novels, there’s classic storytelling through song lyrics. Simon & Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence is a perfect example of timeless lyrics. They remain in peoples’ brains because the message universally resonates, no matter who sings them. And every artist has their own delivery — their unique voice — just as novel writers do. Here are the lyrics to Sound of Silence. Follow along as six outstanding — and totally different — renditions of Sound of Silence perform.
* * *
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 sound of silence
And Paul Simon, Solo, in Hyde Park.
This is as good as songwriting gets. Put on your headphones or earbuds and listen to how these amazing artists break the sound of silence.
* * *
Simon & Garfunkel Original Cut – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zLfCnGVeL4
Jayden Raylee Cover – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWtvP6FeDJI
Nouela Cover – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4oInT79CUk
Disturbed Cover – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg
Simon & Garfunkel Reunion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-JQ1q-13Ek
Paul Simon – Solo – Hyde Park – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iai6m7FBLDQ