The single did not chart in the UK, despite being released as the follow-up to Simon and Garfunkel's number one hit "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
The "Cecilia" of the title is generally interpreted as being a capricious lover, causing both anguish and jubilation to the singer. However, another interpretation is that Cecilia might refer to St. Cecilia, patron saint of music in the Catholic tradition, and thus the song might refer to the frustration of fleeting inspiration in songwriting. St. Cecilia is mentioned in another Paul Simon song, "The Coast" (from his 1990 album The Rhythm of the Saints): "A family of musicians took shelter for the night in the little harbor church of St. Cecilia."
When the original album was released on vinyl, the song included sounds out of the human hearing range. This has led to rumors that Cecilia was actually written about Simon's black lab, Cecilia. When being transferred to CD in 1996, producers removed the ultrasonic sounds in order to lower the file size,[citation needed] allowing them to fit a 14th song on the "best of" album. When interviewed, Simon refused to comment. Garfunkel was quoted as saying that Simon had never dated anyone named Cecilia and the song was probably about the dog.
Cecilia
Simon Garfunkel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
Come on home
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
Up in my bedroom (making love)
I got up to wash my face
When I come back to bed someone's taken my place
Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
You're shaking my confidence daily
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
I'm begging you please to come home
Come on home
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Jubilation
She loves me again
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing
Jubilation
She loves me again
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
The song "Cecilia" by Simon and Garfunkel is about the singer's tumultuous relationship with a woman named Cecilia. The first two verses describe the frustration and heartbreak he feels because of Cecilia's actions, and how they are affecting his confidence. He pleads with her to come home, admitting that he is on his knees and begging. The third verse takes a more lighthearted turn, as the singer describes a sexual encounter with Cecilia in his bedroom. However, when he briefly leaves the room, someone takes his place, leading to more frustration and heartbreak.
The chorus of the song has a catchy, almost anthemic quality, with repetition of the line "Cecilia, you're breaking my heart / You're shaking my confidence daily." The bridge, with its repeated "ba-ba-ba" syllables, is a playful interlude that breaks up the intensity of the verses and chorus. Finally, the song ends on a positive note, with the jubilant repetition of "she loves me again." This suggests that despite the ups and downs of their relationship, the singer and Cecilia have a deep connection that keeps them coming back to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Cecilia, you're breaking my heart
The singer is addressing someone named Cecilia and tells her that she is causing him emotional pain.
You're shaking my confidence daily
Cecilia's actions are causing the singer to lose faith in himself, making him feel less sure of himself each day.
Oh, Cecilia, I'm down on my knees
The singer is pleading with Cecilia to return and is expressing the intensity of his emotions.
I'm begging you please to come home
The artist is asking Cecilia to return home and is using a desperate tone to express his need for her presence.
Come on home
The artist repeats his plea for Cecilia to return home, as she has left him feeling lost and alone without her.
Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia
The singer is reminiscing about a sexual encounter he had with Cecilia in the afternoon.
Up in my bedroom (making love)
The singer and Cecilia had sex in the privacy of his bedroom.
I got up to wash my face
After their sexual encounter, the artist got up from bed to attend to his hygiene.
When I come back to bed someone's taken my place
When the artist returns to bed, he discovers that Cecilia has left and someone else has taken her place in his bed.
Jubilation
The artist is thrilled and overjoyed.
She loves me again
The singer has won back Cecilia's love and is reveling in the feeling of being loved.
I fall on the floor and I'm laughing
The artist is so overwhelmed with joy that he collapses on the floor and laughs uncontrollably.
Whoah-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
This is a repeated refrain that expresses the singer's emotional state and reinforces his plea for Cecilia to come home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PER ANDERS BOQUIST, PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sandrawebster1106
I just was able to play this on my echo dot. I am 87 and a caregiver for my husband of 66 years. This song has given me some joy. I dance Thank you Simon and Garfunkel. You have made my many days.. and I play many of your songs.
@kevinkaehler7805
God bless you young lady
@maxwellwright9650
Play slip sliding away
@judysuter2880
God bless you sweetie. I am 77 years old and I lost my husband of 53 years 2 years ago. I was his caregiver also. When We Were Young we absolutely loved every song this pair recorded. Memories, such sweet memories
@foundationforbuilding-scar2060
@Judy Suter I am glad you're so kind to tell your story and how the love between you guys, remarkable. Judy, I'm sorry for your lost and continue reach out and and God's grace be upon you.
@foundationforbuilding-scar2060
Thank you for opening up about 66 years of message. What's the ingredient for the long longevity
@colinsparks1229
These guys were so far ahead of their time it's ridiculous. Their music transcended the heart and soul, as well as all the emotions. Their music is timeless and iconic.
@chokinonashes67
So true, and I don't think they get the recognition they deserve, do you? Great comment!
@y0urs03pic
And spread to generations, I'm 20 and I love these guys:)
@Roweus1998
Mrs Robinson is in my opinion the best song ever. atleast for me, it's the best song i've ever heard. and i'm only 18.