7 O'Clock News/Silent Night
Simon & Garfunkel
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This is the early evening edition of the news. The recent fight in the House of Representatives was over the open housing section of the Civil Rights Bill. Brought traditional enemies together but it left the defenders of the measure without the votes of their strongest supporters. President Johnson originally proposed an outright ban covering discrimination by everyone for every type of housing but it had no chance from the start and everyone in Congress knew it. A compromise was painfully worked out in the House Judiciary Committee. In Los Angeles today comedian Lenny Bruce died of what was believed to be an overdoes of narcotics. Bruce was 42 years old. Dr. Martin Luther King says he does not intend to cancel plans for an open housing march Sunday into the Chicago suburb of Cicero. Cook County Sheriff Richard Ogleby asked King to call off the march and the police in Cicero said they would ask the National Guard to be called out if it is held. King, now in Atlanta, Georgia, plans to return to Chicago Tuesday. In Chicago Richard Speck, accused murderer of nine student nurses, was brought before a grand jury today for indictment. The nurses were found stabbed an strangled in their Chicago apartment. In Washington the atmosphere was tense today as a special subcommittee of the House Committee on Un-American activities continued its probe into anti- Viet nam war protests. Demonstrators were forcibly evicted from the hearings when they began chanting anti-war slogans. Former Vice-President Richard Nixon says that unless there is a substantial increase in the present war effort in Viet nam, the U.S. should look forward to five more years of war. In a speech before the Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New York, Nixon also said opposition to the war in this country is the greatest single weapon working against the U.S. That's the 7 o'clock edition of the news, Goodnight. Silent night Holy night All is calm All is bright Round yon virgin mother and child Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
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Written by: DP, Paul Simon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Origins"7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme" released in 1966.
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Song CompositionThis is quite an unusual track as it features the group softly singing the traditional Christmas carol, "Silent Night," while the recording of a 7 o' clock news bulletin plays simultaneously in the background.
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Musical MessageThe song was a political statement from the artists, drawing contrast between the serene tune of "Silent Night" and the harshness of the 7 o'clock news bulletin which speaks on violence, civil rights, scandals in the government and the Vietnam War.
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News PresenterThe news broadcast used in the song was an actual newscast scripted and read by Charlie O’Donnell, who was a well-known radio broadcaster before he gained more fame as a TV announcer.
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Controversial FigureOne of the news stories in the background audio features a report on the controversial politician Richard Nixon, who is speaking about his plans to increase the war efforts in Vietnam, a topic which was really relevant during the song's release year.
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Current EventsThe song also references other topical events from the era, such as civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.'s recent arrest in Atlanta, and the trial of 'Richard Speck', who murdered eight student nurses in Chicago.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered multiple times, proving its staying influence, perhaps most notably by Phoebe Bridgers on her 2019 Christmas EP "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night". Her version includes Matt Berninger of the National, reading a new script that draws from news events of 2019.
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Album SuccessThe 'Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme' album became a major hit, reaching a peak chart position of No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum, and this song was a significant part of that success.
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Fan ReceptionWhile it continues to be a highly discussed track due to its unique blend of melody and disturbing news accounts, audiences have had mixed reactions to it, with some praising its recall of a turbulent era and others finding the contrast too jarring.
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Legacy & ImpactDespite its controversial message, the song continues to be one of Simon & Garfunkel's most significant. It demonstrates their willingness to manipulate sound and experiment in pushing the folk music genre's boundaries, leaving a unique mark in 60's music history.
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Citation
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"7 O'Clock News/Silent Night Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/829643/Simon+%26+Garfunkel/7+O%27Clock+News-Silent+Night>.
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