Simon & Garfunkel

Sounds of Silence

First released1966

The Sounds of Silence, released in January 1966, was recorded primarily at Columbia Records' studios in New York City and Los Angeles between 1964 and 1965. The album was produced by Bob Johnston and Tom Wilson, with Wilson having previously worked with the duo on their debut album. The title track, which became their breakthrough hit, was famously remixed and augmented with electric instrumentation by Johnston without the artists' initial knowledge, adding drums, bass, and electric guitar to their original acoustic recording. The album showcased the duo's sophisticated vocal harmonies and poetic songwriting, featuring Paul Simon's introspective compositions that reflected the social and political concerns of mid-1960s America. The commercial success of the album, particularly the single "The Sound of Silence," established Simon & Garfunkel as major recording artists and helped define the folk-rock sound of the era.