However, dreams can really be interpreted in two different ways. Dreams can have external meaning, like a vision. This song itself has a lot of religious overtones, it talks about gods, prophets, teachings, bowing, praying, a vision, and even silence itself, can all be spiritual or religious elements. I think a lot of people interpret it that way, that the dream is to try and warn us not to be silent, that silence kind of kills, that we need to express ourselves, and that we shouldn’t hold things inside.
Other people kind of interpret it as sort of giving up the real god for some kind of fake god, an electric god that they’ve made. You can think of all the technology that was beginning to come out in his time.
However, besides being externally meaningful, in my own experience I find that dreams are often a reflection of our own psychology, our own thoughts and our own experiences and fears. Paul Simon is a singer songwriter, he’s an artist, he’s a musician. He loves writing, he loves words, he loves sounds, and I think he believes in their power. To be silent to him is kind of like a cancer. In this dream he’s trying to express himself, he’s trying to make himself understood. But as he tries to help the people, all we hear is silence; we hear nothing. From his perspective the people need help, but maybe he’s the fool. Maybe he’s the ignorant one. Perhaps he is overvaluing the power of his words and undervaluing the power of silence. To him it really seems like the neon god is a bad thing, but perhaps it’s not, perhaps it’s good. And perhaps, maybe, it’s telling him to wake up; that the answers to his questions can actually be found everywhere, all around him, where he lives, in the subway, and even in the sound of silence.
Okay, that does it for my explanation of The Sound of Silence. Now is the time for you to go and listen to the real song. And hopefully you can understand all of the words and, perhaps come up with your own interpretation of the meaning. Thank you very much and I will see you next time, bye bye!
The Sound of Silence Lyrics
Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone 'Neath the halo of a street lamp I turned my collar to the cold and damp When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more. People talking without speaking People hearing without listening People writing songs that voices never share And no one dare Disturb the sound of silence.
'Fools,' said I, 'You do not know Silence like a cancer grows. Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you.' But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made. And the sign flashed out its warning in the words that it was forming. And the sign said, 'The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls And tenement halls. And whispered in the sounds of silence.'
Writer[s]: PAUL SIMON
Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com
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FAQs for The Sound of Silence
Simon & Garfunkel were an American music duo consisting of singer-songwriters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the hit single "The Sound of Silence". Their music was featured in the landmark film The Graduate [1967], propelling them further into the public consciousness. more »
- Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again Because a vision softly creeping Left its seeds while I was sleeping And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone 'Neath the halo of a street lamp I turned my collar to the cold and damp When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light That split the night And touched the sound of silence And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more People talking without speaking People hearing without listening People writing songs that voices never share No one dared Disturb the sound of silence "Fools" said I, "You do not know Silence like a cancer grows Hear my words that I might teach you Take my arms that I might reach you" But my words like silent raindrops fell And echoed in the wells of silence And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made And the sign flashed out its warning In the words that it was forming And the sign said, "The words of the prophets Are written on the subway walls And tenement halls And whispered in the sounds of silence" Writer/s: Paul Simon Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind
Are Simon and Garfunkel still friends?
They became acrimonious again for the rest of the decade. Simon thanked Garfunkel at his 2001 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist: "I regret the ending of our friendship.
Were Simon and Garfunkel lovers?
Originally Answered: Is it posible that Simon and Garfunkel were a gay couple? No, it isn't. They were just two guys who wrote songs and sang together.
What is the real story behind The Sound of Silence?
The song's origin and basis are unclear, with some thinking that the song commented on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, as the song was recorded three months after the assassination, though Simon & Garfunkel had performed the song live as Kane & Garr two months before the assassination.
What does the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls mean?
Perhaps these words about prophets writing on subway walls and tenement halls tell us that the voices of wisdom are to be found in each of us no matter who we are — everyday people and everyday graffiti found in humble places that offer a voice for all of us. We are all people — we are all connected.