Boxer

Simon & Garfunkel

About Boxer

"The Boxer" is a song recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was released as the lead single from the album on March 21, 1969. The song, written by Paul Simon, is a folk rock ballad that variously takes the form of a first-person lament as well as a third-person sketch of a boxer. The lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible, and were written during a time when Simon felt he was being unfairly criticized. The song's lyrics discuss poverty and loneliness. It is particularly known for its plaintive refrain, in which they sing 'lie-la-lie', accompanied by a heavily reverbed snare drum. "The Boxer" was the follow-up to one of the duo's most successful singles, "Mrs. Robinson". It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed well internationally, charting within the Top 10 in nine countries, peaking highest in the Netherlands, Austria, South Africa, and Canada. Rolling Stone ranked the song No. 106 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 


Year:
1982
107 
#2

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I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises
All lies and jests
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest

When I left my home and my family
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station
Running scared,
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Looking for the places
Only they would know

Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie

Asking only workman's wages
I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores
On Seventh Avenue
I do declare
There were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there, le le le le le le le

Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New York City winters
Aren't bleeding me
Leading me
Going home

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of ev'ry glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving, I am leaving"
But the fighter still remains, mmm mmm

Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la lie lie
Lie la lie, lie la la la la lie la la lie

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Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel were an American music duo consisting of singer-songwriters Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the hit single "The Sound of Silence". Their music was featured in the landmark film The Graduate (1967), propelling them further into the public consciousness. more »

40 fans

Written by: Paul Simon

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Musical Composition
"The Boxer" is a folk rock ballad written by American duo Simon & Garfunkel in 1969. The song is built around an ascending chord progression, with its lyrics offering a symbolic tale of a young man who triumphs over adversity.
Album Information
The song was released as a single in March 1969 and later included on the duo's fifth studio album, "Bridge Over Troubled Water".
Chart Performance
"The Boxer" was very successful on the charts, reaching No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at No. 1 on the Top 100 in Canada.
Song Inspiration
The song was written by Paul Simon during a period of professional dissatisfaction and personal instability. It's largely autobiographical, with Simon using the boxer as an analogy for his own struggles in the music industry.
Recording Process
"The Boxer" is noted for its advanced production techniques. It features a unique sonic texture created by layering multiple tracks of acoustic guitar and percussion, as well as a distinctive 'echo chamber effect' in the final chorus.
Critics Review
Upon its release, "The Boxer" received widespread critical acclaim, with praise directed at its poignant lyrics and impressive production quality. It continues to be regarded as one of Simon & Garfunkel's greatest songs.
Cover Versions
This song has been covered by many musicians including Mumford & Sons, and Emmylou Harris. Bob Dylan also performed a cover on his "Self Portrait" album in 1970.
Song Meaning
The song chronicles the tale of a poor boy who leaves his home to seek fortune in New York City but remains struggling. The lyrics are heavy in symbolism, with the boxer representing a relentless fighter, becoming synonymous with resilience in the face of adversity.
Use in Popular Culture
The song is also famous for its inclusion in the 2010 film "Going the Distance", where Drew Barrymore and Justin Long sing it at a karaoke bar.

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