SIMON & GARFUNKEL - A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER / FOR EMILY, WHENEVER I MAY FIND HER

A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER

Released: October 22, 1966

Charted:  US: #13   UK: #30 

"A Hazy Shade of Winter" is a song originally released as a stand-alone single by Simon & Garfunkel on October 1966, before being included on their album Bookends (1968). In 1987, The Bangles recorded a cover version for the soundtrack of the film Less Than Zero, which reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In "A Hazy Shade of Winter," the singer reflects on the elusive pursuit of perfection and the passage of time. Paul Simon, the songwriter, employs seasons as a metaphor for the cycle of life, conveying a sense of urgency and nostalgia as the protagonist grapples with unfulfilled dreams and the fleeting nature of time.

Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World all praised "A Hazy Shade of Winter," with Billboard describing it as a "winning number" and Cash Box predicting it to be a "strong session bound for biggiesburg." Record World noted that the song "puts poetry in rock motion." Decades later, Allmusic critic Richie Unterberger hailed it as "one of Simon and Garfunkel's best songs, and certainly one of the toughest and more rock-oriented."

Susanna Hoffs shared her experience of meeting Paul Simon after a concert, recalling how they went backstage for a meet-and-greet. Despite their love for Simon & Garfunkel's music, she admitted feeling a bit uncomfortable discussing their cover of "Hazy Shade of Winter" with him. While she sensed he was pleased with their version's success, she didn't want to appear arrogant, especially since their rendition had outperformed the original on the charts.

FOR EMILY, WHENEVER I MAY FIND HER

Released: October 22, 1966. Reissued: August 10, 1972

Charted:  US: #53 

"For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" is a song written by Paul Simon and featured on Simon & Garfunkel's album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" (1966). This tender ballad, performed solely by Art Garfunkel, showcases his emotive vocals accompanied by a resonant 12-string acoustic guitar, enveloped in heavy reverb. The lyrics explore the theme of seeking a lover, although Simon has suggested that the song's essence revolves more around a "belief" rather than a specific person. That song was written in a single night, unlike some of his other compositions that took months to complete.

"First issued as a single as the B-side of "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (1966), "For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" gained further attention when it was reissued in live form in 1972 to promote the compilation album Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits. This reissue reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1972. Subsequently, the song was paired with "America" as the A-side and re-entered the charts in November 1972."

"For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her" It's a heartfelt and romantic ballad where the narrator reflects on the idea of meeting his love, Emily, someday. Despite its simplicity, the song carries a profound sentiment. Art Garfunkel introduced it at the Simon & Garfunkel Live At Granada special, mentioning Emily as a fictitious character. However, Paul Simon expressed his reservations about the song's romantic nature in a 1990 interview with SongTalk magazine.