Cover Songs

There are tunes, lyrics, and other musical elements that are so loved that it is natural for artists to want to "cover" or arrange the music for their own creative interpretation. There are always those who will be more fond of the original and those who may prefer a new interpretation. I like to keep an open mind and appreciate both old and new for what they are able to express. We will explore the lyrics of the song Sound of Silence who were written by Paul Simon:

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 shared And 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 Then the sign said, "The words on the prophets are written on the subway walls In tenement halls" And whispered in the sound of silence

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Paul Simon

The Sound of Silence lyrics © Paul Simon Music, Sony/atv Songs Llc

Next, listen to the original recording by Simon & Garfunkel and then listen to the cover by Disturbed.

What are your thoughts? Do you prefer one over the other? How does the original make you feel? Does the cover make you feel differently and if so, why?