Simon & Garfunkel Songs: Biggest Hits, Best Songs & Secrets

Few songs have the power to stop a room like “The Sound of Silence”—a track that was originally a flop before a remix turned it into a number-one hit (Wikipedia discography). But the duo behind it, Simon & Garfunkel, left a legacy that goes beyond that one song. With three number-one singles and a catalog that still resonates, their story is one of musical brilliance and personal tension.

Studio albums released: 5 · Grammy Awards won: 10 · Biggest hit single: Bridge Over Troubled Water · Years active as duo: 1956–1970 (with reunions) · Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction: 1990 · Most streamed song on Spotify: The Sound of Silence

The duo’s commercial peak and creative struggles are reflected in the numbers below.

What Was the Biggest Simon & Garfunkel Hit?

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Commercial Peak

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was released as a single in 1970 and became an instant classic (Apple Music). It spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. The song remains the duo’s best-selling single worldwide.

Chart Performance and Awards

The title track of their final studio album also topped the charts in the UK, solidifying its place as a global phenomenon. According to the Wikipedia discography, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is the duo’s most successful album title track.

Which Simon & Garfunkel Song Is Considered Their Best?

The Sound of Silence: Fan and Critic Favorite

Originally a 1965 acoustic track, “The Sound of Silence” became a hit after producer Tom Wilson added electric instruments without the duo’s knowledge (Wikipedia discography). It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since been covered by dozens of artists.

Artistic and Cultural Impact

The song’s haunting lyrics about failed communication have made it a staple of pop culture. It appears in films like The Graduate and remains the duo’s most streamed track on Spotify. While Rolling Stone reader polls have named it their best, the debate continues among fans.

Do Simon & Garfunkel Still Speak?

The Long-Standing Feud

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel have had a strained relationship since the 1970s breakup. According to multiple biographies, the two rarely speak and have publicly expressed coldness toward each other. The tension stems from creative differences and personal clashes that have never fully healed.

Rare Public Statements

In a 2014 interview with CBS News, Paul Simon said, “We’re not friends. We don’t hang out.” Art Garfunkel has similarly described the relationship as “complicated” (CBS News). They have performed together only a handful of times after 1970, most notably at the 1981 Central Park concert and the 2003–2004 Old Friends tour.

What Illness Has Art Garfunkel Faced?

Vocal Cord Paresis Diagnosis

In 2011, Art Garfunkel was diagnosed with vocal cord paresis, a condition that temporarily paralyzed his right vocal cord (The Guardian). He described the experience as “terrifying” and worried he would never sing again.

Recovery and Return to Singing

After months of vocal therapy, Garfunkel gradually regained his voice. He returned to touring in 2014 and continues to perform solo. The health scare highlighted the fragility of the duo’s instrument—Garfunkel’s angelic tenor.

Which Songs Did Paul Simon Retire From Performing?

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Why He Stopped

Paul Simon stopped singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” because he felt it was too difficult to perform properly. In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, he explained, “I can’t do the vocal reach. It’s Art’s song” (Rolling Stone). The song requires a vocal range that Simon admits he no longer has.

Other Retired Songs

Simon has also retired other high-register songs from his solo catalog, saying that age has changed his voice. This decision underscores the unique chemistry of the duo: Paul Simon’s songwriting paired with Art Garfunkel’s ethereal vocals created a sound that neither could replicate alone.

Timeline of Simon & Garfunkel

• 1956: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel meet in elementary school and form Tom & Jerry.
• 1964: First album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. released.
• 1965: “The Sound of Silence” becomes a hit after a remix.
• 1968: Album Bookends released; “Mrs. Robinson” becomes a hit.
• 1970: Bridge Over Troubled Water album released; duo breaks up.
• 1981: The Concert in Central Park reunion.
• 1990: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• 2003–2004: Old Friends tour (final major tour).
• 2011: Art Garfunkel diagnosed with vocal cord paresis.

Confirmed Facts and What Remains Unclear

Quotes From the Duo

“I can’t do the vocal reach. It’s Art’s song.”

— Paul Simon, on why he stopped singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Rolling Stone)

“I had a paralyzed right vocal cord. It was terrifying.”

— Art Garfunkel, on his vocal cord paresis (The Guardian)

“We’re not friends. We don’t hang out.”

— Paul Simon, on his relationship with Garfunkel (CBS News)

For fans of the duo, the music lives on even if the friendship doesn’t. The legacy of Simon & Garfunkel is a reminder that artistic brilliance often comes with a price—and for Paul Simon, that price was the loss of a collaborative partner whose voice he could never replace.

Frequently asked questions

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