On This Day in 1964, Simon & Garfunkel Record “The Sounds of Silence” – Unaware It Would Become a Hit
Alex Illingworth / YouTube
On March 10, 1964, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded “The Sounds of Silence” as an acoustic duo. This session took place at Columbia’s 7th Avenue Recording Studios in New York City. The song was made for their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., which was released on October 19, 1964. At the time, the album did not sell well, and this led the duo to separate for a while. During this period, few expected that one track recorded in a simple studio session would later change the course of their careers.
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How “The Sounds of Silence” Became a Folk-Rock Sensation
In 1965, folk rock began to gain more fans. Tom Wilson, the producer of Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., noticed that “The Sounds of Silence” was receiving airplay on radio stations along the East Coast. Without informing Simon and Garfunkel, Wilson decided to remix the track. He added electric guitar, bass, and drums, which changed the song from a quiet acoustic number into a folk-rock piece with a stronger sound. This new version was released as a single in September 1965, and it quickly drew the attention of listeners who enjoyed a more energetic style.
Paul Simon was in Europe when he learned that “The Sounds of Silence” had entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He said, “I was surprised to see the song climbing the charts, unaware of the remix.” Shortly after, Art Garfunkel told him about the changes made by Wilson. The single continued to climb and eventually reached number one on January 1, 1966. This sudden success led Simon and Garfunkel to get back together. They began to record their second album, Sounds of Silence, which featured the electrified version of the song as its first track.
From Overlooked to Iconic
The new sound and unexpected popularity of “The Sounds of Silence” brought a fresh wave of attention to the duo. Fans who had once overlooked Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. began to take notice of Simon & Garfunkel as a major act in the music scene. Radio stations played the single repeatedly, and listeners across the country grew to love the blend of gentle acoustic roots and the added rock elements. The contrast between the original recording and the remixed version sparked discussions among music fans, and it showed that sometimes changes made behind the scenes can lead to great success.
This day in 1964 is remembered for its quiet start and the unforeseen change that transformed a simple song into a hit. The recording session at Columbia’s 7th Avenue Recording Studios was a modest beginning for a song that would later top the charts and influence many other artists. The story of “The Sounds of Silence” remains an important chapter in the history of Simon & Garfunkel, as it highlights how a small decision in a recording studio can shape the future of popular music.
