“American Tune“ is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon….which was the third single from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon in 1973….and released on Columbia Records. The song, a meditation on the American experience, is based on the melody of the hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”….as the song reached # 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“The Boxer“ is a song recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel….from their fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water in 1970….which was produced by the duo and Roy Halee….and was released as the lead single from the album in March of 1969. The song, written by Paul Simon, is a folk rock ballad that variously takes the form of the first-person lamenting….as well as a third-person sketch of a boxer. The lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible….and were written during a time when Simon felt he was being unfairly criticized….as the song’s lyrics discuss poverty and loneliness…..and is particularly known for its plaintive refrain, in which they sing ‘lie-la-lie’, accompanied by a heavily reverbed snare drum.
“The Sound of Silence“ is a song by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel…..which was originally written by Simon over several months in 1963 and 1964….as a studio audition led to the duo signing a record deal with Columbia Records….while the song was recorded in March 1964 at Columbia Studios in New York City for inclusion on their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. The song hit # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending January 1, 1966….which led to the duo to reunite after breaking up….and hastily record their second album….which Columbia titled Sounds of Silence in an attempt to capitalize on the song’s success….as the song was a top-ten hit in multiple countries worldwide including Australia, Austria, West Germany, Japan and the Netherlands. Generally considered a classic folk rock song, the song was added to the National Recording Registry in the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important” in 2012….along with the rest of the Sounds of Silence album.
As seen in this video herewith….Paul Simon performs three of his all-time classics…. “American Tune”…..“The Boxer”….and “The Sound of Silence”….while live in concert in 1982…..and being shown on television on PBS during the network’s annual pledge drive.
