The Sound of Silence

[learningtofly]

Given the demographic here, I imagine that most of us will have grown up with the beautiful, melodic and kind of folksy music from Simon and Garfunkle. They were one of the bands that defined a generation, and The Sound of Silence is probably one of their greatest tracks.

Well, I recently discovered a cover that I'd never heard before - not just a cover, but probably the best cover of any song that I've ever heard. So much so, that to my mind it blows the original out of the water. Given that, I wanted to share it here, and because I couldn't make up my mind I've provided two versions. Firstly, a live performance on the Conan Show from the US; and secondly, the official video featuring the studio/album version. Both are great so take your pick or (preferably) watch both.

Interestingly, I don't recall ever focussing on the lyrics previously, or finding them in any way powerful. That's changed!

Oh, and turn the volume up.

[RustyBin5]

Watched it lots of times - firm favorite version of mine

[tiny73]

Great find Tony. I’d heard this version a few years ago as a “voiceover” to something and recall how powerful it was then. Unfortunately whilst I found who covered it I couldn’t find the official video (at the time).

[Normunds]

This is better version with two great singers :)

[monogroover]

I like that, have heard it before a few times but I do greatly prefer the original. The atmospheric guitar intro and the harmony vocals especially make it special.

I'm the same with Dylan, people often point to covers they prefer over the original but I nearly always prefer the authenticity of the songwriter's own version.

[Dave+63]

Strangely, I also found the version by The Dickies very enjoyable.

https://youtu.be/QaYCaaWtrTc?si=ncpLDOkx4dA2FGyL

[kevkojak]

Agree its one of the best covers ever. The lyrics do lend themselves well to this style of music, dark and gothic.
Paul Simon actually contacted The Disturbed to thank them for this version, seems he loved it.

It does seem a bit off that this is the track they are best known for after almost 30 years of making their own music

[ryanb741]

Yep David Draiman is a terrific singer with a great Heavy Metal voice. Interesting fact - he comes from an Orthodox Jewish family background and was going to be ordained as a Rabbi. Instead he became the lead singer of a Heavy Metal group!

Down with the Sickness is a really good track of theirs.

[Stanford]

It's been on my Spotify 'likes' for some time.

[sprite1275]

It's ok but "blows the original out the water" no not for me.

[Passenger]

Yep David Draiman is a terrific singer with a great Heavy Metal voice. Interesting fact - he comes from an Orthodox Jewish family background and was going to be ordained as a Rabbi. Instead he became the lead singer of a Heavy Metal group!

Down with the Sickness is a really good track of theirs.

Interesting...he really puts his all into the lines about ´´the neon gods they made´´...it´s a good track, one I listen to fairly regularly during work outs.

[JonRA]

It's ok but "blows the original out the water" no not for me.

I'm with you here - the original has not been bettered as far as I'm concerned. The Disturbed version got quite a lot of coverage/hype when it came out but it didn't match up to S&G for me.

[redmonaco]

I do think Busteds' cover of Walking in the air was excellent :0)

[learningtofly]

This is better version with two great singers :)

Quite enjoyed that, thanks, but no way is it better to my mind.

[adrianw]

It’s the perfect harmonies that make the original, in my opinion it still hasn’t been surpassed

[Topcat30093]

Well that was a surprise!
Initially, I wasn't going to bother taking a look.
BUT, I am so pleased that I did.
Amazing and powerful voice, sung the way it should be.

[learningtofly]

Well that was a surprise!
Initially, I wasn't going to bother taking a look.
BUT, I am so pleased that I did.
Amazing and powerful voice, sung the way it should be.

Yep, amazing sums it up for me too. Complete respect for opinions differing from my own, though, and the original is a nailed-on classic for sure.

[Hood]

Good version and heard it a few times on radio 2
Didn't know who sang it when I heard it.
Jury's out though on whether better than original .

[thieuster]

This is better version with two great singers :)

I wanted to post this version as well. It shows that the S&G songs, together with Dylan's are very well-suited for reinterpretation. Does it say something about the quality of the song and lyrics and the geniality of the composer(s)? I think it does.


(Not with a link, I don't want to 'pollute' this thread; search for Seether and Careless Whisper. It made me -onde again- aware how good George Michael was.)

[sevvy]

They play this on Planet Rock, my background station working from home, from time to time and whilst I certainly enjoy it the original is much better. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the harmonies to shine.

[459GMB]

Not bad, but nowhere near as good as the original.

Sounds very much like something you'd hear on Pop Idol or The Voice ...

[Mick P]

The first time I heard the Sound of Silence was in the early 1960s by an Irish group called the Batchelors. This was well before Simon and Garfunkel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLrHksQqNaY

I prefer this version.

[learningtofly]

The first time I heard the Sound of Silence was in the early 1960s by an Irish group called the Batchelors. This was well before Simon and Garfunkel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLrHksQqNaY

I prefer this version.

Given that it was written by Paul Simon and first recorded by S&G in 1964, your second sentence makes no sense. The cover by The Bachelors was actually released in 1966.

[Saint-Just]

We like facts on TZ-UK

[Jimmcb]

I have the disturbed version on my Fave playlist. Stunning voice and great B&W to go with it.

Very different from S&G original and makes you think they’re two different songs.

Jim

[Mick P]

Given that it was written by Paul Simon and first recorded by S&G in 1964, your second sentence makes no sense. The cover by The Bachelors was actually released in 1966.

Fair play on that one.

[Linocut]

I like that, have heard it before a few times but I do greatly prefer the original. The atmospheric guitar intro and the harmony vocals especially make it special.

I'm the same with Dylan, people often point to covers they prefer over the original but I nearly always prefer the authenticity of the songwriter's own version.

Not trying to derial the thread... I tend to agree but Dylan always said that after hearing Jimi Hendrix's version of Watchtower he always sang it like that himself.
I'm looking forward to hearing Cat Power's recreation of the Albert Hall concert as well

[guli]

This is a good cover of the song, but I still prefer the original

[samswatch]

I like the Disturbed one too, as its just so different but just as compelling

[andyb28]

Discovered this when it featured a few years ago in The Blacklist.

It was a moving scene that went so well with the soundtrack.

[reggie747]

I think it's a brilliant song. The original and the cover in question here offer two images of the music.
First one gentle, second one powerful.

[hogthrob]

Disturbed also did a decent cover of Land Of Confusion

[bwest76]

It’s the perfect harmonies that make the original, in my opinion it still hasn’t been surpassed

Totally agree, I wanted to like this version but didnt it seems far to contrived to me.

[Dave+63]

I think this thread needs the original too, albeit a live version.

https://youtu.be/NAEppFUWLfc?si=jb6vgLHlp9MEqC20

[bambam]

And a decent cover of Down With the Sickness:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ei3IaJ...Bjb3Zlcg%3D%3D

[Saint-Just]

Well, I recently discovered a cover that I'd never heard before - not just a cover, but probably the best cover of any song that I've ever heard.

Sorry, the slot for best cover of all times is already taken:

[learningtofly]

Sorry, the slot for best cover of all times is already taken:

I also love that, Marc.

[Onelasttime]

I lasted half a verse.

Grotesque musical theatre that completely butchers the nuanced original. All that grunting and groaning. Painful.

[M4tt]

The best cover of all time? Easy:



They did a proper cover of Sounds of silence too.



Mind you Simon and Garfunkel's cover of Scarborough Fair wasn't bad:

[ralphy]

Given the demographic here, I imagine that most of us will have grown up with the beautiful, melodic and kind of folksy music from Simon and Garfunkle. They were one of the bands that defined a generation, and The Sound of Silence is probably one of their greatest tracks.

Well, I recently discovered a cover that I'd never heard before - not just a cover, but probably the best cover of any song that I've ever heard. So much so, that to my mind it blows the original out of the water. Given that, I wanted to share it here, and because I couldn't make up my mind I've provided two versions. Firstly, a live performance on the Conan Show from the US; and secondly, the official video featuring the studio/album version. Both are great so take your pick or (preferably) watch both.

Interestingly, I don't recall ever focussing on the lyrics previously, or finding them in any way powerful. That's changed!

Oh, and turn the volume up.

For me, the a cappella recording is the best.



R

[freeloader]

Sorry but it's sounds like something I'd imagine
being performed at a Butlins cabaret night.

[Stanford]

For me, the a cappella recording is the best.

R

I would prefer the a cappella without the echo/reverb, whatever it is.

[Mj2k]

Well that was a surprise!
Initially, I wasn't going to bother taking a look.
BUT, I am so pleased that I did.
Amazing and powerful voice, sung the way it should be.

Came here to say that.

Wow, amazing how a familiar song can hit differently.

Cheers for that, Tony!

[Topcat30093]

Came here to say that.

Wow, amazing how a familiar song can hit differently.

Cheers for that, Tony!

I put it on to my playlist


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bwest76]

The best cover of all time? Easy:

Mind you Simon and Garfunkel's cover of Scarborough Fair wasn't bad:

That is rather good.

[bwest76]

The best covers have soul,heart and meaning.

[Cornholio]

I like that, have heard it before a few times but I do greatly prefer the original.

Me too. I don't dislike the Disturbed version, but my favourite by far is the original recording on Wednesdy Morning, 3AM.

[Carlton-Browne]

Have we had this one yet?

[Dave+63]

They did a proper cover of Sounds of silence too.

It was the B side of Silent Night IIRC.

https://youtu.be/BSXSLmYGXpE?si=kTJldDaWtQ5RuQk9

[williemays]

Heres a cover of the Disturbed cover:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=U3RXf0E_Vuw&feature=shared