Simon & Garfunkel Albums Ranked
Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. One of the best-selling music groups of the 1960s, their biggest hits—including “The Sound of Silence” (1965), “Mrs. Robinson” (1968), “The Boxer” (1969), and “Bridge over Troubled Water” (1970)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide. Bridge over Troubled Water is ranked at number 51 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Richie Unterberger described them as “the most successful folk-rock duo of the 1960s” and one of the most popular artists from the decade. They are among the best-selling music artists, having sold more than 100 million records. Here are all of Simon & Garfunkel’s albums ranked.
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5. Sounds of Silence (1966)
“The story goes that producer Bob Johnston (a leading Columbia Records producer who also produced 2 or 3 of Bob Dylan’s “electric” albums) used Dylan’s studio band to record the backing tracks to “Sounds of Silence” that propelled it from a lovely, soft folksy ballad into a true Top 40 rock hit. It is said he did this without the knowledge of Simon or Garfunkel. While that is true, it would not have been released in that “rockier” version if the duo had resisted very much. They liked it. And saw the wisdom of it, given the times. A lot of their music that followed might have sounded quite different if not for Johnston’s vision and the resulting acceptance of the single.”
4. Wednesday Morning, 3 AM (1964)
“I was surprised to hear some traditional and some especially religious (Christian) songs on an S&M album. I learned a couple of things about this duo who scraped together different styles as they were developing their own harmonic sounds. This record is pretty much an acoustic fare with their voices and guitars and their original works like “Sparrow” and “The Sound of Silence” and “He Was My Brother” stand head and shoulders above their covering of other’s songs (yes, even above Bob Dylan’s “The Time’s They Are A-Changin’”). The mix is like a stew that gives you different flavors and textures in each bite, and doesn’t taste like it really goes together, but every so often you get a particular savory taste that hits some of the right notes and you realize that you’re willing to try more.”
3. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966)
“This album is pretty cool to listen to, a bit mellow and melancholy in parts, but flawless vocals and music. Lyrics have always been more like poetry that just happens to sound great when put to music. I’d recommend buying all six of their albums (including the graduage soundtrack) they are a great duo that everyone should listen to. Great musicianship and Great performances. Also (not that this is important to everyone else, but it is to me) I like how they include the lyrics in the repackaging of their albums. Every artist should do this. Especially on expanded or deluxe versions of albums. Just my opinion. I’d recommend this album to everyone who is into the whole singer-songwriter genre, and anyone else who just loves good music performed to flawless perfection.”
2. Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
“Its hard to improve on perfection but in this case it true.. without douth one of the greatest albums of all time and this coming from someone whose record collection contains everything from classical to metallica! the remastered CD is fantastic the improved sound quality is amazing!! and the DVD of the making of the album is a real eye opener! i never imagined such thought and precission went into music back in the late 60’s i had this image of them sitting in a studio with a dozen or so guitars and a group of bearded technicians behind a wall of glass twiddleing with a mass of knobs and buttons!! well nothing could be further from the truth!! dont just sit there buy it.”
1. Bookends (1968)
“I think Paul wrote this when he was about 21… It’s the story about life…. From the beginnings to it’s end. How a 21 kid could have the insight to write about youth, midlife, to old age and death is beyond me…. A classic album that should be repeated and listened to over and over…. With each listen, you will discover more and more…. An amazing piece of work.”
