“Bridge over Troubled Water“ is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel….which was produced by the duo and Roy Halee….as the song was released as the follow-up single to “The Boxer” in January 1970….while the song is featured on their fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water in 1970. Composed by singer-songwriter Paul Simon….the song is performed on piano and carries the influence of gospel music. The original studio recording employs elements of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” technique using L.A. session musicians from the Wrecking Crew. It was the last song recorded for their fifth and final album….but the first fully completed….for the song’s instrumentation was recorded in California….while the duo’s vocals were cut in New York…..as Simon felt his partner, Art Garfunkel, should sing the song solo….which was an invitation Garfunkel initially declined but later accepted. Session musician Larry Knechtel performs piano on the song….with Joe Osborn playing bass guitar….and Hal Blaine closing out the song with drums. The song won five awards at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971….whic included the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
The song became Simon & Garfunkel’s biggest hit single of all time….and it is often considered their signature song…..as it was a # 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks….and it also topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, France and New Zealand…..and was a top five hit in eight other countries as well….while eventually selling over six million copies worldwide…..thus making it among the best-selling singles of all time. It became one of the most performed songs of the twentieth century…. with over 50 artists, among them Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, covering the song. It was ranked # 48 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Bridge Over Troubled Water is performed on Saturday Night Live in 1978 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and comedian Charles Grogan….who does his best to pretend to be Art Garfunkel singing along with Simon in this musical parody….which is just another “nugget of gold” in our treasure chest of vintage comedy and music memories here at ImaSportsphile.
