Paul Simon took six months to write the lyrics, which are about man's lack of communication with his fellow man. The author sees the extent of communication as it is, on only its most superficial and "commercial" level (of which the "neon sign" is representative). There is no serious understanding because there is no serious communication - "people talking without speaking - hearing without listening". No one dares take the risk of reaching out ("take my arms that I might reach you") to disturb the sound of silence. The poet's (character in the song) attempts are equally futile (" . . . but my words like silent raindrops fell within the wells of silence"). The warning comes as how people worship technology as a religion “people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made” (In the 60’s that was TV, today how many people do you see bow to their cell phones?) The ending is an enigma. The words tell us that when meaningful communication fails, the only sound is silence, that graffiti on the subway walls and tenement halls holds truer meaning than the psychobabble on TV or the people yelling at each other in the streets. This song, written 50+ years ago, is more poignant than ever in today’s world.
Paul Simon took six months to write the lyrics, which are about man's lack of communication with his fellow man. The author sees the extent of communication as it is, on only its most superficial and "commercial" level (of which the "neon sign" is representative). There is no serious understanding because there is no serious communication - "people talking without speaking - hearing without listening". No one dares take the risk of reaching out ("take my arms that I might reach you") to disturb the sound of silence. The poet's (character in the song) attempts are equally futile (" . . . but my words like silent raindrops fell within the wells of silence"). The warning comes as how people worship technology as a religion “people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made” (In the 60’s that was TV, today how many people do you see bow to their cell phones?) The ending is an enigma. The words tell us that when meaningful communication fails, the only sound is silence, that graffiti on the subway walls and tenement halls holds truer meaning than the psychobabble on TV or the people yelling at each other in the streets. This song, written 50+ years ago, is more poignant than ever in today’s world.
Wow
Awesome!
😂😂 1:11
hey guys! you should go check today's premiere of Geoff Castellucci's cover of 'Sound of Silence' in 2 hours! I bet you will love it as well!
I always just a person's reaction by this song. So confused by their reaction.
Shut the hell up leave the comment for the end. THE PERFECT VOICE, THE PERFECT VIDEO, THE PERFECT SONG.