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Bridge over Troubled Water

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Words & Music: Paul Simon

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes I will dry them all
I'm on your site, oh, When times get rough
And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water,
I will lay me down,
Oh, like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out, when you're on the streets
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you
I'll take your part when the darkness falls and pain is all around

Yes, like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Oh, like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on, silver girl, sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend,
I'm sailing right behind

Yes, like a bridge over troubled water
I, I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will easy your mind

Recorded: 1970/06/05, first released on That's the Way It Is

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GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 21, 2009report abuse

I Love both, the "Elvis", and the "Simon & Garfunkel" versions of this beautiful "Paul Simon" song. Both show, such emotion, and hope. And, on a lighter note, there is a Fun concert performance, (thankfully recorded) of when, Elvis calls out for the band to play "Suspicious Minds", and he starts singing the words to "Bridge over Troubled Water".

Little_Darlin (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 21, 2009report abuse

I liked Simon & Garfunkel's version right from the time it came out when I was 12 years old. But when I first heard Elvis' version many years later, it absolutely floored me. What a masterpiece! He absolutely made it his own and now, when I hear someone mention the title, Elvis' version is the only one flowing through my head. It's a prime example of how Elvis could use his gifts to breathe life into a song and make it a classic.

dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 21, 2009report abuse

Both version are great. S&G being one of their most well known songs , and I believe song of the year for 1970 , has a great Garfunkel vocal, almost angelic like with his soaring high voice. Elvis being more a power-house gospel inspired version. It really depends what mood I'm for the preferred version.

Lefty (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 21, 2009report abuse

The best Elvis version of this tune is the studio master minus the canned crowd applause tacked on at the end. Elvis had the vocal prowess that took the song to a different level, giving it a gospel quality that Simon & Garfunkel could not achieve vocally. That being said, the song is equally beautiful as originally sang by the famous duo. Simon's incredible lyrics and Garfunkel's angelic voice were a perfect combination. The song was perfect for the time. The world needed peace so badly. Nothing's changed. The song remains relevant and powerful.

Ruthie (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

When I first heard it, I thought it was a "nice" song but dull. I would never buy it. Then Elvis did it & I was completely blown away. He turned it into a song I would love the rest of my life. Even Paul Simon stated that ELvis gave his song "soul".

bajo (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

Elvis in a nutshell! His ability to put his own stamp on well known classics. Bridge... was a brave effort and I think he pulled it off very, very well. Even a classic in the S&G book, I'm not too fond of it. But, I like Elvis' rendition no matter what! Especially the 1970 studio version and in the mix it appeared on the EBTP CD.

derekd (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

Great song, great recording by Elvis. Just right for Elvis in 1970. If S&G hadn't previously released it as a single Elvis would have had a smash hit with his version. I went to see'Elvis the Concert' a few years ago and when Elvis came on the the BIG screen and sang this number everyone stood up and those with cig~lighters light them. It was all very moving. Best part of the whole show. I'd love to go again, it was great. Yep 5 stars for me.

ta2k (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

An absolutely sublime Elvis Classic. This is an Elvis song no doubt about it. TCB

old shep (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

Elvis made a mess covering some contemporary songs including The Beatles Hey Jude. I would be mistaken calling this a classic as a tedious dirge would be better suited. Bridge Over Troubled Water however was a classic song and seems to have been recorded by everyone and their sister. Elvis' version was faultless and proved once again what he could do with the right material.

Deke Rivers 6 (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

Yes Elvis has it in the bag for this one,but his version of Get Back is poor by comparision as is his version of Del Shannon's Runaway. Elvis has proved he can hit the high notes ref to Burning Love & Mess of Blues before that, so why didn't he do that on Runaway ?

Jim says hello (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

I loved Paul Simon's reaction to hearing Elvis' version. "When I wrote it, that's how I heard it in my head".

KingKreole (profile/ contact) wrote on Feb 12, 2009report abuse

I really really love Simon and Garfunkel and have everything they recorded, as well as all of Paul Simon's solo stuff and a handful of Garfunkel's. That being said, I do enjoy Elvis' version of this song more than the original. (And it isn't just blind Elvis devotion; Elvis' version of Hey Jude, for example is nowhere near as good as the Beatles/McCartney).
But Elvis had such tremendous power in his voice and this is a great showcase for it. I agree a little bit with the criticism that the production gets too big. I'd love to hear only Elvis' voice on this, or just a solo piano or acoustic guitar--but I feel that way about almost all of Elvis' songs. Maybe someday we'll get a stripped down version of this, but either way--Elvis owns this. Totally love it.

Elvisonmymind (profile/ contact) wrote on Jul 24, 2008report abuse

It's supposed to be a dramatic song. So that's why there are so much horns and voices in Elvis' version. In my opinion, Garfunkel didn't succeeded to interpret this song as a dramatic one; Simon and Garfunkel's version is more a pleasant and joyful one.

My boy, my boy (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 8, 2008report abuse

Simon and Garfunkel's original version is sublime. But Elvis made it his with his own way of singing it. Had he copied S&G, people would have said it's too easy. Elvis brought a new dimension to the song which is exactly what he had to do...and it worked out damn good !

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 8, 2008report abuse

Simon & Garfunkel or Elvis, Elvis or Simon & Garfunkel. I go back & forth on this one. But these are the 2 best versions of this song. Sometimes I think the Elvis version gets too big with all the horns & voices. Wish he had used the Smon & Garfunkel arrangement which just builds slightly. A lot of Elvis songs get the Vegas-y overdone treatment when simpler could be better.

FLASHBOY (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 8, 2008report abuse

The original version is quite good But the Presley version just blow me away Elvis sing it perfecly
Simon himself said that he really love what Elvis have done with it.

Rob Wanders (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 8, 2008report abuse

I never can really decide if I like the original from Simon and Garfunkel more or Elvis' version. Although I love Elvis' version very much, specially the early takes from June 1970, but also the more flamboyant versions from 1972-1977, I have the tendency to prefere the "more surrealistic (with the little bit abstract voice of Garfunkel)" version from S & G.

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on Jun 8, 2008report abuse

This is one of my favorite songs that Elvis recorded. Especially the Live versions. The earlier takes on "That's The Way It Is-FTD" are fantastic too...listen to this song many times and of course sing together with Elvis..lol..

Natha (profile/ contact) wrote on May 2, 2008report abuse

I happened to know the original version in those days, which I thought was quite bleak. So when I heard Elvis' version it struck me how he was able to convey the intention behind the lyrics. A brilliant performance, especially the live version of the early seventies.