Old Friends

Album: Bookends (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Art Garfunkel sings here of two elderly men "sat on their park bench like bookends." The pair reminisce on the years of their youth and the changes as they got older. Reflecting on the track in 2014, Garfunkel told The Mail on Sunday's Event magazine: "It's amazing that a 24-year-old Paul Simon could write with such wisdom about an older person's perspective: 'Preserve your memories… how terribly strange to be 70.' Now that I'm 73, I just think life is strange, period! A fabulous mystery."

Comments: 1

  • Christine from Venice, FloridaHow can i obtain print license rights to print a photographic book i did years ago to these lyrics?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.