The Only Living Boy in New York

Paul Simon

About The Only Living Boy in New York

For the film of the same name, see The Only Living Boy in New York."The Only Living Boy in New York" is a song written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel. It is the eighth track from the duo's fifth and final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water. The song was also issued as the B-side to the duo's "Cecilia" single.


Year:
2012
80 
#1

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Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know your part'll go fine.
Fly down to Mexico.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-n-da-da and here I am,
The only living boy in New York.

I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da here I am
The only living boy in New York

Half of the time we're gone but we don't know where,
And we don't know here.

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know you've been eager to fly now.
Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da
Like it shines on me
The only living boy in New York,
The only living boy in New York.

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Paul Simon

Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an award-winning musician whose talents in composing, performing, and vocal harmony placed him at the forefront of the singer-songwriters on an international scale. Simon's fame, influence and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts: "The Sounds of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo split up in 1970 at the height of their popularity, and Simon began a successful solo career, recording three highly acclaimed albums over the next five years. In 1986, he released Graceland, an album inspired by South African… more »

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10 facts about this song

Creation Period
The song "The Only Living Boy in New York" was written by Paul Simon in 1969 as part of the album "Bridge over Troubled Water."
Meaning behind the Song
The song was Paul Simon’s message to his partner Art Garfunkel when he left to act in a film, meaning the 'Tom' in "Tom, get your plane right on time," refers to Art.
Emotional context
The song encapsulates Paul Simon's feelings of loneliness and betrayal, as he felt left behind in New York while Garfunkel was filming in Mexico.
Title Inspiration
The title of this song is thought to be inspired by Paul Simon's feelings of being the only member of the duo who was present and working on their music in New York at that time.
Critical Reception
Music critics have praised "The Only Living Boy in New York" for its harmonies and emotional depth, often highlighting it as one of the stronger songs on the "Bridge over Troubled Water" album.
Chart Performance
Despite being less commercially successful than other tracks on the album, this song has gained a strong cult following over the years.
Frequent Use in Media
This song has been featured in several films and TV shows, including "Garden State", "Almost Famous", and "Euphoria", thereby gaining it widespread recognition.
Cover Versions
"The Only Living Boy in New York" has been covered by several musicians of various genres, showing its enduring influence and popularity.
Legacy
"Rolling Stone" ranked the song number #90 on its list of the 100 Greatest Simon & Garfunkel Songs.
Song Structure
The song incorporates the use of falsetto and complex harmonies characteristic of Simon & Garfunkel's style. It comprises three verses and no recognisable chorus which is a unique structure.

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