Ever walked into a coffee shop and heard a voice that definitely wasn’t Art Garfunkel’s singing about a "neon god"? It happens all the time. Honestly, the Simon and Garfunkel cover has become its own sub-genre of music.
Some people hate it. They think the 1960s originals are sacred ground that shouldn't be touched. But then you hear a version that actually adds something new—something heavy, or gospel-tinged, or just plain weird—and you realize why these songs are still being poked and prodded decades later. Paul Simon’s songwriting is essentially a blueprint. You can build a folk shack on it, or you can build a heavy metal skyscraper.
The Sound of Silence: From Acoustic Flop to Heavy Metal Monster
Most people don't realize that "The Sound of Silence" was technically a failure at first. The duo’s 1964 acoustic version on Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. didn't sell. It wasn't until producer Tom Wilson (without the band's permission!) overdubbed electric guitars and drums that it became a hit.
Fast forward to 2015. Disturbed, a band usually known for aggressive nu-metal, decides to take a crack at it.
The result? Absolute insanity.
David Draiman’s baritone starts as a whisper and ends in a tectonic roar. It’s been on the Billboard charts for over 400 weeks as of early 2026. Purists might roll their eyes at the "operatic" drama of it all, but Paul Simon himself actually praised it. He called it "powerful." When the guy who wrote the lyrics gives you a thumbs up, the critics kind of lose their ammo.
When the Bangles Made Winter Cool
In 1987, the Bangles took "A Hazy Shade of Winter" and essentially slapped a leather jacket on it. Originally a fast-paced folk-rock track from Bookends, the Bangles’ version for the Less Than Zero soundtrack turned that signature riff into a distorted power-pop anthem.
If you grew up in the 80s, this is the version of the song for you. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, outperforming the original's peak of number thirteen. It’s one of those rare cases where the Simon and Garfunkel cover becomes the definitive version for a whole generation. They even cut out the "vodka and lime" line in the 80s version, though they started singing it again during live shows later on.
The Gospel of Bridge Over Troubled Water
If you want to talk about "taking a song to church," you have to look at Aretha Franklin. Just one year after the original 1970 release, the Queen of Soul released her own version.
While Art Garfunkel’s vocal is ethereal and boyish, Aretha’s is pure, unadulterated grit. She turned a secular hymn about friendship into a gospel masterpiece. She even won a Grammy for it.
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Then you have the darker side. Johnny Cash and Fiona Apple teamed up for a version in 2002. It sounds like two people who have actually been through the "troubled water" Simon was writing about. It's weary. It's tired. It's beautiful.
Why Artists Keep Coming Back
Why is a Simon and Garfunkel cover such a rite of passage for musicians?
- The Harmonies: The original tracks are masterclasses in vocal arrangement. Groups like First Aid Kit or Mumford & Sons use these songs to show off their own "close harmony" skills.
- The Lyrics: "America" isn't just a song about a bus ride; it's about a search for identity. Artists can project their own stories onto those lines.
- The Melodies: Paul Simon has a way of writing melodies that feel like they've always existed. They’re "sticky."
Even "Scarborough Fair," which the duo didn't even write (it’s a traditional English ballad), is now inextricably linked to them. They learned it from Martin Carthy in London, added their "Canticle" counter-melody, and created the template that everyone from Sarah Brightman to My Dying Bride has followed since.
Strange But True: The Covers You Didn't Expect
You've got the big ones, sure. But then there’s the weird stuff.
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Yes did an eight-minute progressive rock version of "America" in 1971 that includes a pipe organ and several different time signatures. It’s basically the opposite of the quiet, contemplative original.
Then there’s the Lemonheads’ version of "Mrs. Robinson." It’s a 90s alt-rock staple that Evan Dando reportedly hates, despite the fact that it’s probably his most famous recording. It’s fast, bratty, and completely lacks the "graduate" vibe of the 1967 film.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playlist
If you’re looking to dive into the world of the Simon and Garfunkel cover, don't just stick to the radio hits. Try these for a real sense of the range:
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- For Emotional Depth: Listen to Emmylou Harris’ 1980 version of "The Boxer." Her voice adds a vulnerability that changes the whole perspective of the song.
- For Modern Folk: Check out First Aid Kit’s live performance of "America." It’s so good it famously made Paul Simon tear up in the audience.
- For Indie Cred: Seek out the Red House Painters' cover of "I Am a Rock." It’s slow, brooding, and captures the "isolation" theme better than the upbeat original ever could.
- For a Wild Card: Listen to the 2019 version of "7 O’Clock News / Silent Night" by Phoebe Bridgers. It updates the news bulletin for the modern era, and it’s genuinely chilling.
Ultimately, these covers aren't about replacing the originals. They’re a tribute to the fact that these songs are durable. You can stretch them, scream them, or sing them in a 13th-century church, and they still hold up.
Next Steps for Music Fans:
If you really want to understand the DNA of these songs, listen to Paul Simon’s The Paul Simon Songbook (his solo acoustic record from 1965) back-to-back with the more famous duo versions. It shows you exactly how much "production" changed the feel of the tracks even before other artists got their hands on them.