A Most Peculiar Man
Garfunkel Lyrics
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That's what Mrs. Riordan said and she should know
She lived upstairs from him
She said he was a most peculiar man
He was a most peculiar man
He lived all alone within a house
Within a room, within himself
He had no friends, he seldom spoke
And no one in turn ever spoke to him
'Cause he wasn't friendly and he didn't care
And he wasn't like them
Oh, no, he was a most peculiar man
He died last Saturday
He turned on the gas and he went to sleep
With the windows closed so he'd never wake up
To his silent world and his tiny room
And Mrs. Riordan says he has a brother somewhere
Who should be notified soon
And all the people said, "What a shame that he's dead
But wasn't he a most peculiar man?"
In the song "A Most Peculiar Man," Art Garfunkel describes a reclusive, misunderstood man who lived alone in a small room. The song is a reflection on the life and ultimate death of this man, who was seen as strange and unapproachable by his neighbors. Through Garfunkel's poignant lyrics, we understand that this man was truly a unique and complex individual, who lived on the fringes of society, isolated from the world around him.
Garfunkel uses the character of Mrs. Riordan, the man's neighbor, to give insight into the man's personality. Mrs. Riordan describes the man as "peculiar," emphasizing the fact that he was different from the others in the community. Garfunkel goes on to paint a picture of the man's isolation, emphasizing his loneliness and introspection. We learn that the man had no friends and hardly spoke, making it difficult for others to connect with him on any meaningful level.
The song's ending is quite tragic, with Garfunkel noting that the man ended his life by turning on the gas and going to sleep. The song leaves us with a sense of sadness and regret, as the people in the neighborhood note the man's peculiarities, but never truly took the time to understand him before it was too late.
Line by Line Meaning
He was a most peculiar man
The man in question had a strange personality and mannerisms.
That's what Mrs. Riordan said and she should know
Mrs. Riordan, who knew him well, attested to his peculiar behavior.
She lived upstairs from him
Mrs. Riordan resided in the apartment above the man.
He lived all alone within a house
The man lived isolated in a home with no other occupants.
Within a room, within himself
He confined himself to a room which he considered his own world.
He had no friends, he seldom spoke
He had no social circle and rarely engaged in conversation.
And no one in turn ever spoke to him
No one attempted to communicate with him either.
'Cause he wasn't friendly and he didn't care
He didn't show interest in being friendly with anyone, nor did he care about it.
And he wasn't like them
He had a behavior that was odd and different from that of the norm.
Oh, no, he was a most peculiar man
His singular mannerisms made him distinctively strange.
He died last Saturday
The man passed away on the previous Saturday.
He turned on the gas and he went to sleep
He used gas to commit suicide and went to sleep.
With the windows closed so he'd never wake up
He ensured the windows were sealed so that he wouldn't wake up.
To his silent world and his tiny room
His grim final resting place was his small and silent chamber.
And Mrs. Riordan says he has a brother somewhere
Mrs. Riordan reported that he had a sibling somewhere.
Who should be notified soon
She thought the brother should be informed of the passing.
And all the people said, "What a shame that he's dead
Many people felt it was unfortunate that he died.
But wasn't he a most peculiar man?"
Despite the sadness surrounding his death, people still acknowledged his odd character.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@henriquesouza5793
He was a most peculiar man
That's what Mrs. Reardon says
And she should know
She lived upstairs from him
She said he was a most peculiar man
He was a most peculiar man
He lived all alone within a house
Within a room, within himself
A most peculiar man
He had no friends, he seldom spoke
And no one in turn ever spoke to him
'Cause he wasn't friendly and he didn't care
And he wasn't like them
O, no-o-o!
He was a most peculiar man
He died last Saturday
He turned on the gas! and he went to sleep!
With the windows closed!
So he'd never wake up!
To his silent world!
And his tiny room!
And Mrs Reardon says he has a brother somewhere!
Who should be notified so-oo-oon...
And all the people said,
What a shame that he's dead,
But wasn't he a most peculiar man?
--Paul Simon
@angelawilson3237
This song makes me cry everytime. It reminds me of my brother. He took his life..hecwas only 18. He was abused and bullied. He was socially awkward..and he hated people cuz they hurt him. I loved him though. And knew his true heart. Kindness..love..acceptance..beauty. He was truly a gem and he should not have died so young.
@aimeegelineau2451
Angela Wilson aw reading this broke my heart, I’m so sorry for your loss 💜
@chrisniskanen549
Yep. One of my soldiers did that too. Except planned it with a pistol on his graduation from college...takes a piece of everyone that knew that person.
@mantrariba
I'm realy terribly Sorry. ( for him And for you . All my simpaty.
@jayakrishnan26
World is cruel
@sandraevans6930
Angela, you have my heartfelt sympathies. My prayers for you and your dear brother. ❤❤
@stirling222
I think you've kind of missed the point. The man wasn't 'peculiar', he was depressed, but no one cared to ask if he was alright they just dismissed him as an odd ball. Even after he took his own life they still didn't change their minds about him. It's not a celebration of our differences so much as a damning indictment of the meanness of the human spirit, sometimes.
@jbr84tx
Many people die of loneliness without anybody knowing it.
@fishlordusername891
For thos uuondering, this post is 4 years old. Old posts seemed to have had a different system in place where replies weren't a thing so people just. answered. So you'd seen conversations set around different comments that are 4 years old and it seems confusing at first but that's what's happening.
Also I agree very much with this interpratation of the song. That seems to be exactly what it is about.
@boneneedle3360
What? The songwriters missed the point or what?