The Sound of Silence
Graham BLVD Lyrics
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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
'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 share
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
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence
"The Sound of Silence" by Graham BLVD is a cover of the iconic song originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel. The lyrics of this song delve into themes of isolation, lack of communication, and the consequences of not speaking out or being heard in a world consumed by noise and superficiality.
The first verse starts with the singer addressing "darkness" as an old friend. This darkness represents a state of solitude or inner turmoil. The singer seeks solace in this darkness, as it has always been a constant companion. The reference to a vision suggests that during a vulnerable state, when the singer was asleep, an idea or inspiration took root in their mind. This vision, which still lingers, exists within the realm of silence, where meaningful communication can be often overshadowed by excessive noise.
In the second verse, the singer describes walking alone in restless dreams, portraying a sense of isolation and disconnection from others. The imagery of walking through narrow streets evokes a feeling of being trapped or confined. The reference to the street lamp's halo suggests a glimmer of hope or guidance in the midst of darkness. The neon light, however, symbolizes the superficiality and distractions that pervade society. The abrupt flash of this light momentarily pierces the silence and interrupts the solitude.
The third verse brings the singer into a crowded space, where ten thousand people are present but not truly engaged in meaningful communication. They talk without speaking, hear without listening, and write songs that never truly express their inner thoughts and emotions. The singer sees this as a tragic reality where true connection is rarely found. They feel compelled to break this silence, to share their wisdom and try to reach out to others. But instead, their words fall like silent raindrops, unnoticed by those around them, and merely echoing within the wells of silence.
The final verse depicts a society that has turned its back on the power of silence and genuine communication. The people, represented by the "neon god" they have created, bow and pray to it, emphasizing their reliance on superficiality and materialism. The warning on the sign speaks about the loss of the prophetic voices, the meaningful words that are now confined to the subway walls and tenement halls, unheard and ignored. The sounds of silence become whispers, barely heard in the overwhelming noise.
Overall, "The Sound of Silence" is a powerful commentary on the consequences of a world consumed by noise, superficiality, and a lack of genuine connection. It highlights the importance of breaking the silence, speaking out, and truly listening to one another in order to bridge the gaps created by isolation and superficiality.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello darkness, my old friend
Greetings, absence of light, my long-time companion
I've come to talk with you again
I have arrived to converse with you once more
Because a vision softly creeping
Due to a subtle and gradual image emerging
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
Depositing its ideas while I was in a state of slumber
And the vision that was planted in my brain
And the image that took root within my mind
Still remains
Continues to exist
Within the sound of silence
In the midst of the absence of sound
In restless dreams I walked alone
In unsettling reveries, I journeyed without company
Narrow streets of cobblestone
Constricted roadways paved with small, rounded stones
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
Beneath the glowing circle of illumination from a roadside lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
I rotated my lapel to shield myself from the chilly and moist environment
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
At the moment my eyes were pierced by the sudden burst of a brightly glowing signage
That split the night
That divided the darkness
And touched the sound of silence
And affected the absence of sound
And in the naked light I saw
And in the unfiltered brightness I observed
Ten thousand people, maybe more
Possibly a multitude of ten thousand individuals or beyond
People talking without speaking
Individuals engaged in conversation without conveying true meaning
People hearing without listening
Individuals perceiving sounds without actively comprehending
People writing songs that voices never share
Individuals composing melodies that are never expressed in words
No one dared
No individual was brave enough
Disturb the sound of silence
To disrupt the stillness of the absence of sound
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
"Ignorant individuals", I proclaimed, "You lack awareness
Silence like a cancer grows
The tranquil quietness expands in a manner resembling a malignant disease
Hear my words that I might teach you
Perceive my utterances so that I can impart knowledge upon you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
Accept my extended arms to establish a connection with you
But my words like silent raindrops fell
However, my expressions descended like noiseless droplets of precipitation
And echoed in the wells of silence
Reverberating within the depths of the absence of sound
And the people bowed and prayed
And the individuals lowered themselves and engaged in religious devotion
To the neon god they made
Toward the deity they created in the form of glowing signage
And the sign flashed out its warning
And the signage emitted a sudden burst of illumination containing a cautionary message
In the words that it was forming
Within the phrasing that it was constructing
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
And the signage declared, "The messages conveyed by the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
Are inscribed upon the walls of underground railways
And tenement halls"
And within the run-down apartment buildings"
And whispered in the sounds of silence
And softly uttered amid the absence of sound
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GORDON JENKINS, NAT SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind