Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
The Sound of Silence was released by Simon & Garfunkel in 1964, and quickly became one of their signature songs. The hauntingly beautiful tune speaks to themes of an increasingly disconnected, materialistic, and impersonal world.
The lyrics of the song suggest that the narrator is addressing an inanimate object; he is speaking to the sound of silence itself. He speaks of how this sound was once filled with “words of a poet” which stirs a sense of remorse in him for the quiet now dominating the space; a space that was once filled with life but now feels hollow and cold.
The narrator is lamenting the lack of personal communication between people, instead, the sound of “people talking without speaking” has taken over. This line speaks for how people are communicating without actually communicating, meaning that they are maintaining relationships but without the real connection and intimacy that comes with expressing one’s feelings.
In terms of the music that accompanies this narrative, it is also worth noting that the harmony between the acoustic guitar and the synthetically created fuzzy drones creates a delicate softness that emphasizes the fragility of the narrator’s current situation. The song itself is an aural depiction of loneliness and a longing for connection.
In short, The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel serves as a poetic reminder of the importance and beauty of meaningful connection, and a warning of the dangers of blocking it out. It’s a timeless reminder for us to stay open to those around us, to be conscious of how we communicate, and to be kind.