America

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Paul Simon

About America

"America" is a song performed by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel, which they released from their fourth studio album, Bookends, in 1968. Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, the song was later issued as a single in 1972 to promote the release of Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits. The song was written and composed by Paul Simon, and concerns young lovers hitchhiking their way across the United States, in search of "America," in both a literal and figurative sense. It was inspired by a 1964 road trip that Simon took with his then girlfriend Kathy Chitty. The song has been regarded as one of Simon's strongest songwriting efforts and one of the duo's best songs. A 2014 Rolling Stone reader's poll ranked it the group's fourth best song. 


Year:
1974
4:35
78 
#1

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Paul Simon

Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an award-winning musician whose talents in composing, performing, and vocal harmony placed him at the forefront of the singer-songwriters on an international scale. Simon's fame, influence and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts: "The Sounds of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo split up in 1970 at the height of their popularity, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African… more »

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11 facts about this song

Release Date
The song "America" by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, who performed as "Simon & Garfunkel," was released on their fourth studio album "Bookends" on April 3, 1968.
Songwriting
Paul Simon wrote the song when he was 26 years old, inspired by a road trip across the U.S. with his then-girlfriend Kathy Chitty in 1964.
Popularity
Despite its popularity, "America" was not released as a single in the U.S at the time, but it reached #35 in the UK when it was eventually released as a single there in 1972.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics chronicle a cross-country journey from Michigan to New York City, capturing scenes of everyday life in America and expressing feelings of both patriotism and disillusionment.
Cultural Significance
"America" is considered a signature song of Simon & Garfunkel and one of the greatest songs ever, regularly featuring on lists made by Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and other music publications.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists across different genres, including David Bowie, Yes, and most notably by Bert Sommer at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.
Movie feature
In the film "Almost Famous" (2000), "America" is prominently used in a pivotal scene, showing the song's continued cultural relevance decades after its initial release.
Political theme
The line "Michigan seems like a dream to me now" was taken from the 13th-century poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi's line "The whole world is a form for truth."
Tour Influence
A 2018 re-interpreted version by Paul Simon during his Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour incorporates a recited piece about the fragility of democracy in America, demonstrating the song's enduring topicality.
Musical Structure
"America" is in the key of E major, with the guitars tuned down a full-step (as is common in Simon & Garfunkel's music), creating a rich, resonant sound. It is notable for the harmonic complexity (relative for a pop song) and the intricate fingerpicking guitar work.
Commercial Use
The song was used in an advertisement for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, which helped to introduce it to a new generation of listeners.

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