Bridge Over Troubled Water
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
- Paul Simon wrote this song about providing comfort to a person in need. It started out as a modest Gospel hymn but became more dramatic as he put it together.
- Art Garfunkel sang this alone on the album, although he thought Simon should have sung it. Says Simon, Many times I’m sorry I didn’t do it.
- Clive Davis at Columbia Records is the one who heard the commercial appeal of the song, and insisted they market it like crazy and use it as the album title.
- This song was included on the 2001 Columbia Records benefit CD, God Bless America. Proceeds from the disc went to the Twin Towers Fund.
- The first time this song was broadcast on TV was a special called Songs of America. Clay Aiken released this as his first single right after the show.
- Bridge Over Troubled Water was the last album Simon & Garfunkel released before they split up. It is the biggest selling album ever for Columbia Records.
See what happens when I visit YouTube. I haven’t watched the following video for a long time. It is nearly 10 years old, but it shows a young man with an amazing talent.
Please don’t forget to visit the Clay Aiken Official Fan Club. Clay has been posting a lot in the forum. He has been informative, funny, and very patient!
However, remember, you must be a member of the Fan Club to see the information.
That song is such a powerful song. It's also the very first Youtube video I ever saw/heard Clay sing back in August 2010! I was completely taken by that voice. Add to that his wonderful heart and I was completely hooked. 🙂 It's been a heck of a ride so far…can't wait to see what's next!
BOTW is an absolute favorite – especially sung by Our Clay! Have been reading in the Forum on
fans questions for Pilot – wow! a lot to read – and people do have many, many, problems!! Hope
Clay doesn't get a headache – I did! 🙂
This is the song that started it all! After this, I KNEW Clay was special! Still moves/shakes my soul to this day!!
Just beautiful! I never get tired of Clay singing this beautiful song, way to go Clay! Love you.
Thanks Musicfan and Deona xox.
Oh boy, I still get chills watching this! Been awhile for me too musicfan! I can't TELL you how many times I rewound this performance on video tape wayyy back then!! Thank you for reposting!!
I watch this video a lot. It is simply phenomenal. The believability of the words Clay sings is astonishing. He projects that he is unequivocally ready to be your friend and help you out at anytime. Plus I absolutely love his lower register voice, it never wavers. It is a perfect performance. Clay should have won! Actually he did. He was just never given the title.
What a fantastic performance! I loved seeing it again. And thanks, musicfan, for the background info. Very interesting.
Oops! I forgot to mention that Clay is doing an excellent job of reviewing the posts at The OFC and giving his input. I agree, he is a patient, funny and informative teacher/critic. He' good!
It certainly is THE BEST IDOL PERFORMANCE EVER!!!! Loved listening to this again! Clay was perfection!
I certainly have to agree it IS THE BEST AMERICAN IDOL PERFORMANCE EVER!!! Sorry to all the other Idol performers! EVERY time I listen to it, I get chills and melt into huge pile of Ellison goo, and it happened again! Clay Fan 4-Evah!
this was indeed clays best performance ever on americian idol he dis such a amazing job on that song it was perfection and im sory to all the other idol performrs
A blast from the past! I have watched that video so many times and i will never tire from it. Just unbelievable even to this day. Thanks Musicfan.
I'm still blown away every time I see this performance. Thanks for posting this so I could relive the memories and excitement.
I love this song. It was for sure my favorite song when he sang it on American Idol. I will never forget how much I loved him sing it. JUST AMAZING.
Absolutely mind blowing, and he's still going strong!!!
I still can't figure out how to use the chat on this site. I use to be able to use it, now I can't. Anyone willing to give me info?
I did leave a message in the chat about the problem. We have contacted the tech person for some help as we can see no reason you can't post. Give us a few days to get an answer as to how we can help you.
I am always blown away when I listen to Bridge Over Troubled Water. I love..love..love Clay's lower register. Wish he would use it more often. Can't remember how many times I used to listen to it way back in 2003.
what a coincidence, I woke up this morning & I really yearned to see him singing this song. I watched it in my ipod… what a perfect thing to start the day for me. so when I read your blog today… I am grining ear to ear … oh I love this Clay guy .. 🙂