When I chose to write a blog about music, and more specificity about deconstructing a song's meaning, I had many ideas of songs I wanted to write about. The song that I decided to start this blog with however, was not on that list.
Only days ago, this country mourned the 10th anniversary of the terrible events of September 11th, 2001. Memorial services and tributes filled the air but for whatever reason, I chose to not fully engross myself in one. However, when I was browsing the internet I came upon a link that led me to a performance that folk legend Paul Simon gave at Ground Zero to commemorate the 10th anniversary of September 11th. As I sat and watched him perform the classic Simon and Garfunkel song, “The Sound of Silence”, as sudden grief and shock came over me. Never have I been so moved by a single moment having to do with the September 11th attacks. There was one stanza that really struck a chord with me; it reminded me of the reaction of the whole city after the initial attacks.
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
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
Throughout the noise and chaos that was everywhere on that day, there was also a deep silence. A silence of sadness, grief, disbelief, and shock.
I do not want to write anymore about this song simply for the fact that I think it is best for people to listen to the performance and take out of it what they can. Analyzing it any further would be a disservice to the relevance it has to this historic event and the people who lost love ones in the catastrophe. I have posted two links below. One link will bring you to the Paul Simon's performance and the other to the lyrics.
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