The Only Living Boy In New York
June 20th, 2005
I have been listening to “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel a lot, in particular “The Only Living Boy In New York”. It’s a kinda sad song, but I really like it. I liked it way before it was in Garden State, and was rather surprised when I heard it in the “Large’s Ark” scene. The first lyrics in “The Only Living Boy In New York”:
Tom get your plane right on time, I know your part will go fine.
Paul Simon and Art (Arthur) Garfunkel were known as “Tom and Jerry” for a while, that’s where the Tom bit comes from. After they released the album Bridge Over Troubled Water they split up, the song is basically Art saying it’s alright for Simon to leave. Brings a tear to your eye… I’m going to borrow The Essential Simon and Garfunkel
- The Only Living Boy In New York mp3 sample. Takes a little while on 56k. As usual, right click Save Target/Link as.
July 27th, 2005 at 8:14 pm
Your are right, this is a very powerful and emmotive piece.
As documented in a Songwriter interview. This piece is written from Paul Simon’s perspective, acknowledging Art Garfunkel’s departure to Mexico to film Catch 22.
July 28th, 2005 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the comment Icarus, I didn’t know about the Catch 22 bit.
December 5th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
[…] In terms of vocal harmony in Rock and Roll, the Everly Brothers are among the original and most talented. Later rivals to the two-voice harmony, Simon and Garfunkel, showed appreciation for the Everly influence, by making them a feature in their reunion tour. […]
February 3rd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
[…] I first got into The Shins in 2005 after watching Garden State. The twenties version of sixties The Graduate, to which it nods its head subtly with the inclusion of The Only Living Boy in New York. Like many people, my favourite song was New Slang, so I promptly bought the “Oh, Inverted World” CD and was treated to something more unusual than what I had expected, but still wonderful. […]