Simon & Garfunkel

Bookends

First released1968

Bookends was recorded primarily at Columbia Records' studio in New York between 1967 and 1968, with additional sessions at other facilities. The album was produced by Roy Halee and Paul Simon, with Halee serving as the primary engineer and playing an instrumental role in shaping the album's sophisticated sound. The production featured innovative use of orchestral arrangements, particularly on tracks like "Mrs. Robinson," which was written for the 1967 film The Graduate and became one of the duo's most iconic recordings. The album marked a significant technical advancement in their recording approach, incorporating layered vocal harmonies, complex instrumentation, and careful studio manipulation that reflected the evolving capabilities of late 1960s recording technology. Released in April 1968, Bookends became a commercial and critical success, establishing Simon & Garfunkel as major artists during the height of the counterculture era.