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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Paul Simon wrote this about providing comfort to a person in need. It started as a modest Gospel hymn but became more dramatic as he put it together.

Art Garfunkel sang this alone, although he thought Simon should have sung it. Says Simon, "Many times I'm sorry I didn't do it."

The production was based on Phil Spector's "Old Man River" by The Righteous Brothers. Spector is famous for his "Wall Of Sound" production technique.

This is one of the most covered songs ever. In the '70s, so many people sang a version of this that it became a joke.

This was one of the few songs to top the US and UK charts at the same time. It was #1 in the US for 6 weeks, #1 in the UK for 3.

In 1971, this won 5 Grammys: Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best Contemporary Song, Best Engineered Record, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. The album also won Album Of The Year.

Bridge Over Troubled Water was the last album Simon & Garfunkel released before they split up. It is the biggest selling ever for Columbia Records.

Elvis Presley did a version of this song that helped win over many critics who claimed he was not a great vocalist. It appears on his 1970 album That's The Way It Is.
Paul Simon said this about the Elvis recording: "It was in his Las Vegas period and done with conventional thinking. He sang it well, but it would have been nice to hear him do it Gospel because he did so many Gospel albums and was a good white Gospel singer. It would have been nice to hear him do it that way, to take it back - as opposed to the big ending; he seemed to end everything with a karate chop and an explosion. So he didn't really add anything to the song. It's not nearly as significant as the Aretha Franklin recording. It's just a pleasure for me that Elvis Presley recorded one of my songs before he died." (thanks, Chris - Cleveland, OH)

The big "explosion" sound is a baby grand piano being slammed shut.

Larry Knechtel from the soft-rock group Bread played piano.

The line "Sail on, silver girl" is often reputed to refer to a needle (meaning the song is about heroin) but it actually refers to Simon's girlfriend (and later wife) Peggy Harper who found a few gray hairs and was upset. The lyric was meant as a joke - Simon calling her "Silver Girl" because of her hair. (thanks, Helen - York, England)

The sound of the drum that enters in the middle of the song was obtained when engineer Roy Halee put a snare drum at the bottom of an elevator shaft and placed a microphone at the top of the shaft. Within the music industry, this was a much discussed and much admired sound. (thanks, Dan - Montreal, Canada)

Simon started writing this In 1969 at a summer house that he and Garfunkel rented on Blue Jay Way in Los Angeles (Garfunkel was in Mexico acting in the film Catch 22 at the time). It was the same house where George Harrison wrote The Beatles song "Blue Jay Way."

Simon wrote this in the key of G, but since Garfunkel sang in E-flat, the chords had to be transposed. This was accomplished by Jimmy Haskell, who did the strings for the song and was credited as co-arranger. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2)

Simon played a stark version of this at the 2001 "Tribute To Heroes" benefit telethon for the victims of the terrorist attacks on America. Other performers included Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and Mariah Carey. Almost 60 million people watched the show in the US. To put that in perspective, the Super Bowl draws about 80 million viewers.

This was included on the 2001 Columbia Records benefit CD God Bless America. Proceeds from the disc went to the Twin Towers Fund.

2003 American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken released this as his first single after the show. Aiken lost to Ruben Studdard, but still gained massive publicity from the show.

In 2008 it was reported that Paul Simon sued a musical clock company for using this song without permission. His lawyers claimed that Rhythm Watch Co Ltd and its subsidiary had used its tune on 40,000 clocks, making a profit of around $3.7 million.

Comments:

When Paul Simon first heard the elvis presley arrangement of "bridge over troubled water" he stated that it blew him away. He often comments that then Presley version opened his eyes on how the original arrangements and recording should have been laid out.
- rick, philadelphia, NJ

Hi, big fan here. Been a fan for years and recently become Christian. Now i honor their songs with an enlightened point of view. Check this out, You can tell the would obvious chrisian son about rejoice. Bleeker street, song about the street where people have no faith therefore have no hope, look up bleek in your dictionary. He was my brother, this song is about Jesus and how they killed and he died for our sins, he was a freedom writer, he was singing on his knees the day he died (he was 33 not 23.) Kathy's song is the most beutiful love song to God. He lost all his beliefs and no only knows one truth. Like the rain falling on the window there by your grace go I. The sun is burning, is without a shadow of a doubt about the second coming of Christ. Patterns, is about our pre-destined lives and how we have the free will to change the patterns of our lives. The 7 O Clock news/Silent night is about a world of confusion and violence outside but a louder peace that is inside. And yes if you said that Bridge over troubled waters was about religion you are 100% correct. And no if you haven't accepted Jesus you won't and may never understand.
- heath, vancouver, wa, WA

Where is the explosion sound in this song, the slam of the grand piano? I've never heard that part before. Is it in the middle?
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR

hal blaine created the drum sound by using the chains from his snow tires to hit the snare.
- patrice, beverly hills, CA

For all of your anti-Christian folk - yes this song is about God. If any of you know anything about Paul Simon this was a gospel/hymn piece of art. Hence, "and friends just can't be found". Helloooooo? And please, do not pollute the beauty of this song by bringing talent-less American Idol contestants in to the mix. The only person who deserves accolades are Art and Paul - nuff said...
- Jill, Los Angeles, CA

RIP Harry Kalas, the Voice of the Phillies. This was one of his favorite songs, and per his request, was played at the end of his memorial at Citizens Bank Park. There was not a dry eye among us.
- Stu, Philly, PA

W-O-W.... this song is sooo beautiful and haunting....n guys..i don't think this is abt God... like somebody said before it's abt friends being there for each other.... art garfunkel's vocals are among the best in his career.... especially the line "when evening falls so hard" haunts me everytime i hear it n i get goosebumps.... i rate this as one of the greatest songs ever recorded...
- rahul, chennai, India

Simon has written so many great songs, but this is the best to me. Actually, I'm glad that Art sang the lead, but Paul is also right there, singing harmony. Fantastic lyrics, great pipes from the boys. What else could you ask for?
- oldpink, New Castle, IN

THIS IS NOT ABOUT GOD!!!!!!! it is about a friend who is always there to help. the friend is the bridge, the bridge will always b there for u to get over the troubled water. ITS NOT ABOUT GOD!!!
- Will, Baghdad, Iraq

My take on this song is of a more spiritual/religous nature. It's saying to me that God/Jesus will be there for me no matter what. Garfunkel's voice on this song is so pure. One of the greatest songs ever recorded.
- Larry, Riverside, CA

I have been thinking about this song alot lately, and sing it to my dog. I have had the funniest thought that this song could possibly be about the love of good dogs. They lay down with you when you are feeling small and weary, when friends are few and they do "take your part" when pain is all around. The "Silver Girl" in the lyric, sounds as though it really could be about a wonderful dog, a great friend who loves someone very much. That is the way I have been interpreting the song lately. At any rate, it is beautiful and soothing, and I am pretty sure it's not about drugs. Beautiful song and always in my heart, forever.
- LYNELL ROBERTSON, Seattle, WA

My feeling is that the lyrics to this song reflect the time in both artists lives. They were at the end of their collaboration and I believe that Paul wrote the lyrics to Art to let him know that no matter what he would always be there for him, which was reinforced when they both sang "In My Little Town" on Garfunkle's "Breakaway" album and also by their Concert In Central Park....
- Stosh, Springfield, MA

What a powerful, emotional piece!
- Vince, San Francisco, CA

There is a line in "Mary, Don't You Weep," by the Swan Silvertones, where the singer just ad libs, "He'll be your bridge over troubled waters if you just call on His name." Reportedly this is where the idea for the song came from.
- terri, St. Louis, MO

A truly classic song, timeless and powerfully emotive. A tale I heard about the recording of this song, was that it took weeks to get the vocal track down, for Art's voice had a tendency to crack on the high notes. Can anyone verify? - Jim, Calgary, Canada
- Jim, airdrie, AB

This is by far my favorite Simon & Garfunkel song. I'm more spiritual than religious, so this song hits home for me. With all the anti-war demonstrations, race riots having happened the previous few summers, etc. this song really hit a nerve. Emotionally powerful, lyrically beautiful & gorgeously sung, it deserved every Grammy awarded to it. Chartwise, it was their biggest hit (6 weeks at #1).
- Jim, Brunswick, ME

This song has, in my opinion, one of the best piano parts in a popular song. I was bummed when I saw the video to this song from The Concert in Central Park and it had a less interesting part, played on an electric piano.
- Steve, Hermitage, TN

Lord, I love this song.
- Heather, Los Angeles, CA

By far G&F's best. I've always loved Art's voice, and this song was the perfect vehicle for it. And this song shows how good a lyricist Paul Simon could be when he wasn't trying to be more "hip" than he actually was or simply being solipsistic. Unfortunately, that happened only on a few of his other songs, two of which were on the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" album: "The Boxer" and "Frank Lloyd Wright."
- MusicMama, New York, NY

To those of you who find drug references in this song, I can only think that must be easy to do if you're the one who's high! "A pusher coming to the aid of an addict"? What kind of "aid" is that? GMAFB! It's about being there for a friend in need; the "Silver Girl" was Paul Simon's girlfriend, who had found a gray hair; the cymbals are there to emphasize the climax of the song; and, believe it or not, Elvis is dead - and has been for a long, long time!
- Gregg, Middletown, CT

Roberta Flack covered the song on her 1971 album Quiet Fire. Her rendition was used in the 2006 movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" starring Will Smith and his son Jaden.
- Patrick, Wr. Neustadt, Austria

Garfunkel's vocals are simply amazing. He's probably one of the best singers of his time.
- Dom, MontrÃ?al, Canada

Johnny Cash covered this song in his last album American IV:The Man Comes Around.
- Jon, Oakridge, OR

As for what AJ said about a cover in Wayne's World 2, if I'm not mistaken this is because the end is basically satire of The Graduate.
- emma, hickville, PA

#47 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs.
- Andy, Arlington, VA

Willie Nelson performed this song during the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
- Joshua, Twin Cities, MN

This was the last song Elvis Presley ever performed live. The cymbal crashes at the end of the song were rumoured to mimic the initial rush that one receives when shooting heroin. Paul Simon has stated that he regrets not having done the vocals on this song. I believe the reason for his lament is that this is S&G's most famous song. He is said to have a tremendous ego, and it must gnaw on him that he's not singing on this classic.
- jim, Honolulu, HI

Even though it was Simon and Garfunkel's last Number One hit before they split up, it was one of their most beautiful songs. I also remember Aretha Franklin's gospel-like remake.
- Howard, St. Louis Park, MN

Paul Simon said that this was orginally intended to be a standard S&G 2-part harmony song, but when he heard Artie run through they lyrics on his own, he decided it would work better as a (mostly) Garfunkle solo. He said he did the middle as a duet to keep it a S&G song, and not a total Garfunkle solo.
- Ken, Louisville, KY

Although this song was out years before I was born it's one of those songs I can listen to and never get bored of it. It's a classic and is so inspiring. That probably explains the reason why it's covered by other artists so much!
- Paul, London, England

To say this song has some drug references is an understatement. A pusher coming to the aid of an addict is how I would characterize it. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful song. Simon writing and Garfunkel singing. What a team.
- Mike, Fort Worth, TX

I have heard that Paul Simon wrote this song on a visit to Bickleigh, a small village outside Tiverton, in Devon, England. It had been stormy and there was indeed, a bridge over the (troubled) river. Can anybody verify this?
- Alan, Exeter, England

Drums and piano ballads don't mix. They just don't. Thanks for nuthin' Phil Spector.
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan

I saw A Tribute to Heroes, and I can easily see why Art Garfunkel sings this song, and not Paul Simon. Either way, it's a great song
- Rob, Portage, MI

I was a year old when this song charted, but I really have always liked it since the 1st time I heard it on the radio. It is a comforting song, but sad as well. Simon And Garfunkle were one of a kind and this is just one of many great tunes they did together.
- Dee, Indianapolis, IN

2004 Australian Idol runner up Anthony Callea also released this song.
- kate, armidale, Australia

Originally this song had 2 verses, but a few months later it was decided it needed a third. That's why the third verse takes a different turn on the subject (even heard in the music!) Great song!
- Tim, Eastborough, United States

One of the best songs ever!
- Honzin, Prague, Czech Republic

There have been alot of covers of this song, and while most really don't measure up to the original, the best one I have ever heard was by a little known West coast A Capella singing group called The Coats. They covered the song on thier 2001 album "The Coats Collection" which featured both live and studio preformances of thier best originals and covers. While its not perfection compared to S&G's original, its pretty darn close. If The Coats ever come to your area, they are defenately worth seeing, and with most shows (save for thier Christmas tours) they will preform this song.
- Jeni, Beaverton, OR

To J, Olympia: How can you possibly interpret that this song is about drugs? It is about anything, but. BTW this song nevre grows old, it's absolutely beautiful.
- Shirley, Ocean, NJ

Silver girl was Paul Simon's girlfriend and later wife, Peggy. She was upset because she found a few grey hairs one day, so he teased her in the song.
- Helen, York, England

I TOTALLY love this song! It has been one of my favorite songs practically forever. It is a very beautiful and inspirational songs. I was wondering if anyone knows if it's ever been on any movies?
- Sarah, Ottawa, Canada

I think this song is about drugs because of the Sail on Silvergirl thing sounds kind of like a needle, it might sound weird but if you look at the rest of the lyrics it makes sense.
- J, Olympia, WA

Paul wrote this song for Art, even though they were going through terrible times in their friendship. Many of the songs on the "Bridge" disc were written by Paul to Art (Only Living Boy in New York, So Long Frank Lloyd Wright, etc).
- Maggie, Charleston, WV

My Dad was in the Veitnam War and this song is very close to him. The meaning to him is that its about comming home from the fighting is the bridge over troubled water
- Dale, Oklee, MN