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 13 years old, but it shows a young man with an amazing talent.
I wore my video tape out completely playing this song!!! Always one of the best renditions!!!!
He knocked it out of the park!!!! Has it really been 13 years?? Wow!
Clay was and still is a beautiful man with an incredible talent. The way this story evolved is a tragedy. Very simply, Clay was robbed at the most wonderful time of his young life. I imagine it would be hard to ever fully recover from the disappointment he surely felt on this night.
I always and still love this song, Clay has such a beautiful voice, that was the song and Clay that I fell in love with and I became one of his greatest fans. Thanks music fan…xo
I never knew this song is a gospel hymn. Clay/s powerful vocal performance was spectacular! He has won my heart since Day 1!
Thanks musicfan, for the Clay memory!
This video is so exciting. It brings back the memories of 13 yrs ago when we heard Clay sing BOTW for the first time. I just wanted to jump up and down and cheer for him that evening. Never could get through on the phone lines to vote that night.
clay aiken knocked it out of the park when he sang bridge over troubled waters and i never knew that song was a gospial song clays amazaing voice was amazing thanks so much music fan
I found out about Clay Aiken from youtube in 2013 while browsing the best American Idol performance of all time. I was mesmerized as I watched this boy belting out Bridge Over Troubled Water…such vocal range, such talent, you don’t often see in a performer. I became a huge fan from that moment on. I thank CANN for giving us news about our dear Clay on a daily basis. Coming from the other side of the globe, your posts mean a lot to us.
I am so glad you are a part of our family. Clay is an amazing man and I am so glad he has fans all over the world!!