Simon and Garfunkle have been one of my favorite artists since my early days as a young music enthusiast. I have always been impressed by their creative and "no baseline" approach to their work. The development of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" was remarkably out of the box, as revealed in the video featuring Paul Simon discussing the song's creation. Simon's approach to composing the song was unconventional from the start. He began with just two verses, initially considering it a simple, modest piece. However, as he worked on it, the song organically grew into something much grander and more complex than he had originally envisioned. This organic evolution of the song's structure and emotional depth was unusual for pop music of the time, which often adhered to more rigid formulas.
The song's lyrics were also notable for their emotional depth and universal appeal, addressing themes of friendship, support, and resilience in a way that transcended the usual boundaries of pop music. Simon's decision to incorporate gospel-inspired elements and religious undertones into a folk-rock context was particularly daring, blending genres in a way that was not common at the time. This fusion of styles, combined with the song's gradual build from a gentle piano ballad to a sweeping orchestral climax, created a unique and emotionally impactful listening experience that set "Bridge Over Troubled Water" apart from its contemporaries and contributed to its enduring legacy.
To watch the inspiring video on the development process, please view the
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