"Bridge over Troubled Water," released by Simon & Garfunkel on January 26, 1970, stands as one of the most enduring songs of its era. It quickly rose to prominence, topping the US Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks and earning five Grammy Awards in 1971, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The song's journey from its initial conception by Paul Simon to its final, polished recording involved specific inspirations, creative disagreements,
and meticulous production choices that shaped its iconic sound and emotional depth. Its creation was a complex process, reflecting both the artistic vision and the growing tensions within the duo.
The Song's Conception and Early Development
Paul Simon began writing "Bridge over Troubled Water" in early 1969, a period when Art Garfunkel was in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, filming the movie *Catch-22*. Simon noted that the song came to him very quickly, prompting him to question its origin, feeling it didn't entirely seem like his own work. Initially, the song had only two verses and different lyrics. Simon specifically wrote the piece for Garfunkel's voice and envisioned it as a piano-driven song, departing from his usual guitar-based compositions. The core lyrical concept for the chorus was partly inspired by a line from Claude Jeter of the Swan Silvertones, who sang, "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in my name," in their 1959 song "Mary Don't You Weep." Simon later acknowledged this influence and reportedly provided Jeter with a check.
Simon also cited Johann Sebastian Bach's "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" as an inspiration for certain melodic elements. He initially composed the song on guitar but shifted to the piano to better capture the gospel influence he intended and to suit Garfunkel's vocal style. This early stage of composition laid the groundwork for the song's distinctive sound, blending gospel elements with Simon's unique songwriting.
Recording Challenges and Creative Input
The recording process for "Bridge over Troubled Water" was not without its complexities and collaborative decisions. Simon initially told Garfunkel that he should sing the song alone, in what Simon described as the "white choirboy way," though Simon himself added harmony on the final verse. Garfunkel, however, was initially hesitant, feeling it wasn't quite right for him. He admired Simon's falsetto on the demo and suggested that Simon sing it instead. Both Garfunkel and producer Roy Halee felt the song needed a third verse and a more expansive sound towards its conclusion. Simon agreed to this, writing the final verse, although he later expressed that he felt it lacked cohesion with the preceding verses.
This final verse was inspired by Simon's then-wife, Peggy Harper, who had noticed her first gray hairs, leading to the line "Sail on, silvergirl." Contrary to some interpretations, this line does not refer to a drug abuser's hypodermic needle. The idea for this verse came from Garfunkel, but Simon reportedly did not favor it. The song's instrumental parts were recorded in August 1969 in California, a logistical choice made to accommodate Garfunkel's filming schedule in Mexico. Simon sought a gospel piano sound and enlisted session musician Larry Knechtel, who spent four days working on the piano arrangements. Joe Osborn contributed two distinct bass tracks, one high and one low, while Hal Blaine played drums in an echo chamber for a hall effect, and Gary Coleman added vibraphone. A string section was introduced in the third verse to complete the arrangement. Jimmie Haskell, the arranger and composer, transposed the song from Simon's original G major to E-flat major to better suit Garfunkel's vocal range.
Vocal Performance and Post-Production
Despite the meticulous instrumental recording, Garfunkel's initial attempts to record his vocals were unsuccessful. The final version saw the last verse recorded in Los Angeles, with the first two verses recorded later in New York. Simon and Garfunkel returned to New York in November 1969 to complete the vocal tracks. The vocal style in "Bridge over Troubled Water" drew inspiration from Phil Spector's production technique in The Righteous Brothers' "Old Man River." Simon himself noted a similarity to The Beatles' "Let It Be," remarking in a *Rolling Stone* interview that they were "very similar songs, certainly in instrumentation."
"Bridge over Troubled Water" was the last track recorded for the album but the first to be completed, requiring an additional two weeks of post-production. The song's public debut, in part, occurred on November 30, 1969, when it was featured in a CBS television special about the duo. The music served as background for a video clip featuring John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. As tensions grew between Simon and Garfunkel leading up to their 1970 breakup, Simon began to express regret about allowing Garfunkel to sing the song solo. This regret highlights the personal and professional dynamics that influenced the creation of their most successful single, a song that ultimately sold over six million copies worldwide and became one of the most performed songs of the 20th century.
