SIMON AND GARFUNKEL AMERICA REACTION

[@garylee3685]

"And the moon rose over an open field" is one of my favorite lines in a song ever. I can't even explain why exactly.

[@linjicakonikon7666]

My thought exactly. Sehnsucht.

[@MarvinForte]

Because of that melody and those harmonies

[@peterjonas4971]

I agree. I think it's because of the repeating "O" sounds in the words, the empty hollow circles, moon-shaped.

[@dimestorephilosopher3308]

Whether it was a moment that happened for him or not, it's, like much of the song, a personal story of his and 2 people having an experience together and that moment he saw something. We all have those moments.

[@forwardpeace]

It's panoramic, incidental, an image that is a thought, a thought interrupted by an image, beautiful, poetry.

[@bethwaller1789]

"I'm empty and aching and I don't know why". The theme of my entire generation. I'm 75.

[@lisaarmato6911]

This song never fails to get me right in the throat. You're right, Harri that it can apply to anywhere, but to me it's more about the innocence and rose-colored glasses of youth.

[@stephanieo2509]

I've always really just identified, for some reason with the line ""Kathy, I'm lost", I said, though I knew she was sleeping I'm empty and aching and I don't know why"

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Me too. Powerful lyric

[@ronsandgren1]

My mom's name is Kathy too and she was 19 when this song was released and I've liked this song for years and a lot of other Simon and Garfunkel songs

[@dabrandt12]

To me, this line is the key to the song. It changes it from a song about a young couple traveling around to see America the chunk of land, to someone trying to keep a strong presentation as the freewheeling, go with the flow type guy, while looking for something more, the concept of "America" as its sold

[@John_Locke_108]

Amazing lyric and the way Paul delivers it, you can feel it deep down in your soul.

[@sarahodorowski7721]

The sense of being alone even with people you love.

[@dannygriffith6185]

To me, one of their most profound & heartbreaking songs. It feels like leaving home & security because some people just must do that when they're young...but in doing so feeling alone, full of angst & isolation..even though you have a companion...The mundane becomes tragic...."counting the cars on The New Jersey Turnpike....they've all come to look for America."........or the American dream....the meaning of which still might elude us.

[@BlandBandit]

Existential crisis about what the American dream really is about.

[@azcactus2008]

My favorite line has to be, I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why. The emotion is so profound.

[@lindanicholson950]

I like American Tune and Slip Sliding Away. Still Crazy After All These Years

[@davidwalsh7128]

A great snapshot of the journey to young adulthood in 60's America..

[@lynne5322]

Sheer brilliance

[@ChuckHackney]

To me, lyrically, this is there best song with amazing lyrics.

[@Calers-gu1ib]

As I recall teens from all over North America, USA and Canada got on trains, buses or hitchhiked across the country many times from '65 to '75. My 2nd favorite S&G song behind the Boxer.

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

Did you notice the unusual feature of this song?There isn't a rhyming couplet in the entire song. And yet there us still pure poetry in the words. Pure Paul aSimon genius as a songwriter

[@azcactus2008]

Thank you so much for pointing that out. I honestly never noticed until I read your comment. I think it’s because I was just caught up and how great the song is.

[@dixiechatty958]

Even with all their incredible songs, this is my favorite. It was better suited to its time than any other song I've ever heard.

[@forwardpeace]

You nailed it.

[@kianpa1]

Keep fighting for our Freedoms! ❤️

[@lawrenceschabell5740]

America is an illusion a dream that everyone is looking for is what I get from this song, it's very moving and sad in a way.

[@stevesm4]

"Kathy I'm lost" I said, though I knew she was sleeping. My favourite line from a song.

[@peterjonas4971]

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "Wherever I go, my giant comes with me." I think the songs recalls that idea, that we believe we can escape our troubles by traveling/ escaping, but, alas, we cary them with us.

[@Sam-shushu]

This is a song that sneaks up on you. I remember the first few times I heard it not really caring for it, and then all the sudden, maybe five time through the album, it clicked and boom! it was the only thing I wanted to hear.

[@sandybourdeau9300]

I remember riding those Greyhound buses as a teenager in the 60s on the New Jersey Turnpike. I’m now 71 and it seems like yesterday

[@dmichaelelkins1]

Check out “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” the studio version.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Yes. Studio version

[@ChuckHackney]

"It took me four days to hitchhike from Saginaw" is one of the lyrics that stays with me all my life. Along with her saying "the man in the gabridine suit is a spy". Great stuff! And we are all still looking for America...

[@neilmartin99]

So many people miss the point of the "playing games with the faces" part of the song. It's two kids fighting the boredom of a long bus ride and inventing games to pass the time. In this case they decided to Use their imaginations to make up stories about the people on the bus based on their faces. The way Paul incorporated it into the song is pure brilliance.

[@kenvarnold3659]

Paul Simon is one of America's greatest poets...put to song...he's leaving us a legacy...

[@frankphillips5660]

S&G the GOATS of Duos. As a young teen in 60's I would only spend my money on a few select albums when they came out. The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Simon & Garfunkle and the Rolling Stones and Diana Ross nd the Supremes. You just new almost every song was going to be great so you get your moneys worth. Your interpretation was spot on, imo.

[@warrenhughes911]

Dylan??????

[@james0060]

@@warrenhughes911 Even Bob stated The Boxer is the greatest song ever written, ive seen him perform it live.

[@benesmom2811]

„And the moon rose over an open field“ BEAUTIFUL

[@brianconlon4744]

None of this song rhymes. Genius. 🤘🎸

[@ikshields]

I’ve always pictured the little bit of “real estate” in his bag as his little stash of pot for the journey. 😊

[@scottsnyder2726]

“Let us be lovers we’ll marry our fortunes together.” The song vividly paints a couple’s journey, not just thru America but at the beginning of their shared journey. “I’ve got some real estate here in my bag” is a metaphor for the American Dream. “Counting the cars on the NJ Turnpike” now incorporates so many other Americans searching for their place and joy in our society. “I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why” speaks of times of fatigue, self-doubt and struggle we all encounter. The lyrics are unparalleled. Voices impeccable. Music wonderful. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs.

[@chairmanmeow3693]

This whole album is great!

[@talltulip]

So, now you must listen to "Kathy's Song." It's simple and beautiful! The Kathy in that song is the same Kathy that's in "America," Kathy Chitty. But the MOST beautiful of all S&G's songs, IMO, is "For Emily Whenever I May Find Her." Please don't miss out on that one!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

"For Emily" is so delicate and beautiful. It's gossamer.

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Sehnsucht. The inconsolable longing. An untouchable beauty. Reaching for the stars. Looking for America. "The moon rose over an open field"."I'm empty and aching and I don't know why". C.S.Lewis' The Weight of Glory.

[@grumpy4ever122]

Art Garfunkel is one if the finest singers and his soaring harmonies elevate this song to another level. Harri, try 'tin soldier' by the Small Faces

[@andrewclayton4181]

It's a song about searching for oneself. The singer isn't going to find himself out on the highway, or in any of the places he's been to. He's feeling lost, and implies that everyone else is to.

[@michaelbastien3572]

Homeward Bound is another great one.

[@kenhewitt7357]

Love this one of my favorite S&G songs

[@susansapp6136]

I always think of the film "The Graduate" when I hear this. Visions of him and the pretty young daughter sitting in the back of the bus escaping her mother ... rolling up a cigarette ... Their music had such life. It made you stop and THINK! I was doing that then and even doing that more now. Their stuff is prophetic (whether they know it or not).

[@GoWestYoungMan]

Quite right, this song resonates regardless of what country one is from. It takes me back to those days when I was a young guy. I left home (Atlantic Canada) and hitch hiked west in search of something; I didn't know what. What would I see, what would I discover, would I find myself there? Those memories come flooding back when I listen to this song.

[@davidstenton4365]

*Harri* Paul wrote most of this ironically in London..... I'm not sure what real estate in the bag means but if you think back on the time it was written, and hitchhiking, riding a Greyhound bus, it seems like 2 kids, not much money if any coming of age wanting to quote, unquote, find The America they grew up hearing & reading about.! Remember, no internet, phones, nada... just parents, magazines and Hollywood movies my friend...*David* .....

[@narlycat]

I can picture the moon rising over an open field from the bus window in my mind😊

[@DJHolte]

I don't know if anyone mentioned this already, but my take on the line "I've got some real estate here in my bag" is that he's referring to pot. As in "grass" = "real estate". I think it was a sly reference that wouldn't stop the song getting airplay, since you couldn't outright say such things back in that day.

[@johnj2763]

Perfect.

[@melissayost4888]

Everyone raves about The Boxer which they should, but I prefer America. It really is a gut punch to your heart. I guess it speaks to me. America as meaning in life.

[@SheaSF]

"a moon shines over an open field": it's the possibility. America was the agrarian paradise for the Irish and the Italians. LAND! Ownership. These are American ideas.

[@donaldsmith283]

I love how you break down songs. You bring up things that I haven't thought about About these song Thank you

[@kathybwell]

YES!! Iconic song from us flower-children's childhood!! Great reaction Harri! To me, America is the yearning of youth to find themselves, and the endless possibilities that are out there. But when we go to pursue we find it actually can be kinda boring at times, like counting the cars on the Jersey turnpike. The line about bow-tie is similar, I think they were just trying to amuse themselves, as the previous line goes .."playing games with the faces.."

[@rodneygriffin7666]

I'm an American and still searching for America after 56 years. I still haven't found it yet.

[@paulwalters7268]

Too late. It's disappearing.

[@c.t.leeson9256]

@@paulwalters7268 ....I was just going to say that. See David Bowie's This is. Not America.

[@davidvigdal643]

Best cover of this song is by "First Aid Kit".

[@skipklauber1162]

Always intelligent and incisive reactions

[@caroleathenacosta-songwrit9193]

The thing I find interesting, particularly from a songwriter's point of view, is that there isn't one single rhyme in the entire song yet the words flow as if there is rhyming all the way through. This is master class lyric writing!

[@harrymadden7622]

“Scarborough Fair” is a traditional song. They didn’t write it. Not sure about “Canticle”. But their version is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever. It featured in the movie “The Graduate”. It was up for Best Song at the Oscars, but lost out to “Talk to the Animals” from Dr. Doolittle. Haven’t paid any attention to the Oscars pics since.

[@kathybwell]

I was especially fond of S&G growing up because my name is in some of their songs.

[@calebclunie4001]

She's the actress, from "Ugly Betty", "Real Women Have Curves", "The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants", and "How To Train Your Dragon", America Ferrera. I didn't know, I was supposed to be looking for her. 🕵️ I better, get on that.

[@neilmartin99]

Gets ya right in the feels. Takes me back to my youth when me and my girlfriend jumped in my Volkswagen Bug and drove around the country for a month.

[@bemused9522]

Harri, you were right about the real estate in my bag. His song "Kathy's song" is a beautiful must!

[@stephenhuber1219]

That was a true story about Paul and his girlfriend. I wish I could remember who told this story with so much detail

[@2869may]

Paul Simon ~ "Late In The Evening'' Is a great upbeat story telling song..! A Fun Song,,,! This song is in the movie Almost Famous, which you might appreciate seeing.

[@dlbeal]

Funny, I just listened to this on my commute home tonight. One of my all time favs.

[@filetknife59]

YES did a cover of this song. It is almost a completely different song. You should definitely check it out. I love the original by Simon and Garfunkel , but Yes’s version is pretty darn fantastic as well!

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Yes's much better. Yes paid tribute to one of the best song writers of the time.

[@donaldnagy7265]

America (2003 Remaster) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5DVq5uOg9KHf7c

[@dannastrickland4477]

I think the "real estate" line just means that he's telling her he has room for her things in his bag, because he wants her to go with him.

[@threekidzmom04]

Their songs just pull on my heart!

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Don't know if I am right, but I think the real estate in his bag is just space that kathy can put her stuff in. "Let's marry our fortunes (our stuff) together. I've got some real estate (empty space) here in my bag (you can put your stuff in my bag). Just a thought

[@waynemarvin5661]

You kids! Reading WAY too much into things. Just take the lyric at face value.

[@TheScavenger71]

I think it's two people who like each other just playing pretend games. First he makes like they are both wealthy talking about marrying their fortunes together and he has some real estate while they ride on a bus which is the least expensive form of transportation, then she says the man on the bus is a spy and he says his bow tie is really a camera. It's the kind of thing real people did and probably still do today.

[@papercup2517]

@@waynemarvin5661 Well, OK, except, that if you really took it at face value, it wouldn't make any sense! Clearly it's a joke or metaphor of some kind. The question then arises, a metaphor for what? A joke meaning what? Because it's ambiguous, one person's idea of what it's saying 'at face value' might be very different from another person's - which might be different again from Paul Simon's idea when he wrote it. That makes it an interesting concept to muse over. Let us have our fun! :-)

[@Wben113]

Thought he meant grass, when talking about real estate.

[@williamwatson4354]

A rather obscure S&G song was Poem on the Underground Wall. Its just about 2 minutes long but has always moved me.

[@robertvien5693]

Just happiness

[@Blue-qr7qe]

This was such a unique album. They were quite influential for me.

[@39thala]

Harri, here's one by the great Bill Haley that I think you will really enjoy!! (Has 1.1 million [1,133,509] views) Bill Haley was one of the pioneers of rock and roll! "Bill Haley & His Comets - "Hot Dog Buddy Buddy" - from "Don't Knock The Rock" - HQ 1956" kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYCzkGSXhM6NsKM

[@coffee-xg6my]

Bill Haley was indeed one of the early pioneers in rock and roll. His recording of "Crazy Man, Crazy" is recognized as the first rock and roll song to hit the American charts in 1953. His "Rock Around the Clock" reached Number one in 1955.

[@mystisage13]

First time here. Enjoyed your reaction and synopsis 😊

[@mikecaetano]

David Bowie opened his performance at The Concert for New York City following the September 11 attacks with a cover of this song.

[@zenpuppy6025]

I didn’t know that. I just listened to it and it was brilliant. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@SchlockstarJoe]

Written at the YMCA in my hometown, Saginaw, Mi.

[@andythrush3341]

I've been looking for America my whole life. Thought I found it several times over the years but she keeps changing and being elusive. Maybe that's what America is, an elusive ever changing, at times disquieting and disjointed conglomerate of people never meant to be at ease? So far it has been able to survive it's liquidity. So far she has been able to stand firm and move forward. So far it has overcome being it's own worst enemy? Maybe one day I fully understand who we are but until that day, I'll keep searching. Great song! Thanks Harri!

[@markwilliams5606]

Rolling down the road. Get in your 65 Corvette 🇺🇸🏁🛣️🪴

[@fargom54]

Harri: Love your channel. It's funny you ask about real estate here in my bag. This song is from my teenage years. I took this song as, young lovers traveling in search of adventure and not taking themselves too seriously. IMO, real estate in my bag was the dirt and dust that accumulates during travel. They had nothing but hope and dreams, and were laughing at what they had. Keep smiling and peace!!

[@ALong-fo5so]

To know more about Kathy, you should react to Kathy’s Song

[@janabraam7963]

Saginaw, Michigan wasn't far from where I live. I love the sound & harmony in this...it's beautiful. The couple is on a road trip, looking for the American dream but eventually realize they are no closer to finding it now than when they left.

[@dalem8332]

Fabulous song written of course by the songwriting genius Paul Simon. ♥️🎼🎶🎵🇨🇦

[@famat161]

I flashed back to a song by Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen which had the title "My Home in my Hand"

[@jameskoralewski1006]

You should react to a Simon and Garfunkel song titled "Homeward Bound"!

[@marionthompson3365]

Beautiful song. One of my all time favourites.

[@gerrymcguire7494]

I believe the song is a metaphor. The singer is breaking up with Kathy. At the start of the trip certain magical small things take on a fascinating importance. By the end of the song the magic is gone, the journey then drifts off into memory.

[@doughaviland1729]

Musical poets.... Musical GENIUS....

[@2869may]

Great Song...!!! "Take care of her in San Francisco.....man"

[@supasoulproductions]

I love Simon and Garfunkel. I really like Roy Halee's production of their songs. He does whatever seems to work for the song, without worrying about whether it sounds like a band or not.

[@craigplatel813]

Yes that's what it means. He had space in his bag. Common usage back then.

[@thomastimlin1724]

Truly should be the National Anthem that tells the truth about America. Disillusioned youth running away to discover themselves while looking for the myth they were told of America. and yes real estate in the bag, I think you hit the nail on the head...for years I tried to figure that out.

[@notchjohnsonspf4532]

I always wondered if real estate was a way of saying I have some grass.

[@d.s.6268]

One of my all time favourite songs. I think when he says "I got some real estate here in my bag" he just means "room" (and says it in a beautiful metaphor), but I could be wrong.

[@M00nAndSt4r]

I highly recommend Utah Carol from Marty Robbins! It’s from the same album as Big Iron and El Paso!

[@torchape]

Somebody else mentioned the band Yes covering this song. I agree!! It is a brilliant cover. And listen to the long version' it is far better.

[@GlobalWarring]

Now listen to 'Yes' cover of this song. Completely different but no less fantastic ☺️

[@j.k.1963]

Paul's lyrics are never obvious. They go deep and then even deeper. The pictures he is creating are superb as well. But the music itself is supporting the atmosphere beautifully. I love the production of this song, so sweet and urgent at the same time

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Cool vid Harri. Yes did a cover of this song in typical Yes fashion its super.

[@michaelbastien3572]

I think you would enjoy Kathy's Song

[@coolworx]

I'm old enough to remember the smoking section that made up the back half of Greyhounds and Delta flights... Ya, ya, ya... it was unhealthy, but we were having a good ol' time jacked up on nicotine and booze along those long miles... I once took a 3.5 day bus ride from Springfield Mass, all the way to Mammoth Hot Springs, Montana and fell in love twice along the way... ;-)

[@robertarnold7187]

"Real estate" just means he had space or room in the bag. They sometimes joke that a man has real estate on his head,,,,,,as in a bald spot. :)

[@chubbybear2722]

Great song and video. Keep it up sir!!

[@davidangelamelcher9591]

In a roundabout way it reminds me of Neil Sedaka's "The Immigrant" and Neil Diamond's "America".

[@Brandi6666]

I can see the jersey turnpike from my house👍

[@shanenolan8252]

I did this . Looking for America on a greyhound bus years ago . Real estate in my bag . I believe he is taking about grass . Its a euphemism.

[@THEPATRIOT1000]

I am a Rock

[@jimcagney6696]

Yes does a awesome version of this song. Check it out Harri

[@davidvoisin5118]

Now that you've done this, you need to check out Paul Simon's (sans Garfunkle) "American Tune".

[@linjicakonikon7666]

And you need to check out Garfunkel (Sans Simon) especially his solo album Watermark.