Simon + Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Demo Is A Masterpiece

Demo, Take 6

Written in 1969 and featured on the duo’s fifth and final studio album, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is a tearjerker on a good day – but when it’s stripped down to just Art Garfunkel’s vocals and a piano, it’s an absolute masterpiece. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was composed quickly by Paul Simon in 1969 and despite recording several demos of the song featuring his own vocals sung in a falsetto, Simon passed vocal duties to Art Garfunkel, saying he felt he should sing it in the “white choirboy way”.

With only a piano to accompany him Garfunkel absolutely shines – delivering “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with an innocent conviction that seems to reinforce every promise made by Paul Simon’s almost hymnal lyrics and delicately walking the line between a whisper and a full belt. Without the reverb and production heard on the final studio version, this is something sacred.

Fun Fact: In 1971, this won five Grammy Awards – Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Contemporary Song, Best Engineered Record, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists.

While it was the last song recorded for Simon & Garfunkel’s final album Bridge Over Troubled Water, this was also the first song completed by the duo, who recorded the vocals and instrumentation separately and in entirely different states to boot. This version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” may only be a demo and even then, just one of 6 takes recorded by Art Garfunkel and session musician Larry Knechtel whose gospel-inspired piano playing you hear, but it’s as perfect as a demo could possibly get. (https://eluminoustechnologies.com/)

+ Bridge Over Troubled Water lyrics +

When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side. When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you’re down and out,
When you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Sail on silvergirl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.