SIMON & GARFUNKEL - AMERICA

Released: April 3, 1968

Charted:  US: #97  UK: #25 

 "America" is a song by Simon & Garfunkel from their album Bookends, released in 1968. Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was later released as the B-side of the single "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her (live version)" in 1972, promoting their compilation album Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits. Originally on the flip side, it was later switched to the A-side in November 1972 after peaking in the charts in July of the same year.

The songi narrates Paul Simon and his girlfriend Kathy Chitty's journey to America from England. The song delves into Simon's inner turmoil and dissatisfaction, capturing his confusion without pinpointing its source. The lyric "‘Kathy I’m lost,’ I said / Though I knew she was sleeping" encapsulates a profound sense of loneliness and vulnerability within restraint. It also reflects on the allure of the "American Dream," embodying the belief that success is inevitable upon reaching American shores. 

"America" is characterized by its cinematic scope, narrating the singer's quest for a vanished America, alongside its beauty and ideals. Art Garfunkel likened the song to "young lovers with their adventure and optimism." The track features a folk essence embellished with a lilting soprano saxophone refrain and small pipe organ, evoking classic American Songbook pop structures.

"America" showcases the iconic harmonies of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, highlighting their ability to sing in perfect unison, a defining characteristic of their musical partnership. Garfunkel particularly appreciates the section where they sing, "And walked off to look for America," as it reflects a shared sense of earnestness and purpose. In a 1993 interview with Paul Zollo, Garfunkel described the moment as embodying a unified soul and attitude, portraying two college kids embarking on a journey with the same determination and curiosity.

The song experienced a revival in popularity, reaching a new audience, after its inclusion in Cameron Crowe's celebrated film Almost Famous in 2000. In an early scene set in 1968, the character Anita, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, plays the song for her mother, played by Frances McDormand, as she explains her decision to leave home and pursue a career as a stewardess. Additionally, the financial services company American Express utilized the song in a series of widely viewed television commercials in the late 2010s.

In 2010, lyrics from "America" started appearing spray-painted on deserted structures and empty factories in Saginaw, Michigan, a town mentioned in the song. Paint Saginaw, a group of artists, initiated this project as a poignant reminder of the town's dwindling population, evoking a sense of homesickness among its residents. The entire lyrics of the song adorn 28 buildings across the city, including railroad tracks and bridge supports.