SIMON & GARFUNKEL - AT THE ZOO

Released: February 27, 1967

Charted:  US: #16 

"At the Zoo" is one of Simon & Garfunkel's singles released in 1967. It's a tribute to Paul Simon's hometown of New York City and was originally written for the soundtrack of "The Graduate," specifically for the scene set at the San Francisco Zoo, but finally the song was not used in the film.

"At the Zoo" was released on Simon & Garfunkel's fourth studio album, "Bookends” The album has a sort of concept album feel to it. The first side of "does contain songs that explore themes of age progression, while the second side features songs that didn't make the cut for the film "The Graduate." "At the Zoo" serves as the closing track for the second side of the album.

This track showcases Simon & Garfunkel's unique ability to infuse whimsy and playfulness into their music, creating a poetic and vivid portrayal of the animal kingdom. The imaginative descriptions of the animals, coupled with Paul Simon's clever wordplay, evoke a delightful and charming atmosphere.

"At the Zoo" found its way into various commercial and creative ventures. Licensing the song for TV commercials for the Bronx Zoo and the San Francisco Zoo in the late 1970s likely helped introduce the track to a new generation. Additionally, the release of the children's book "Simon and Garfunkel at the Zoo" in 1991 further immortalized the song's imagery. The alterations made to the lyrics and concepts, such as adding headlights to the hamsters, demonstrate how adaptations can maintain the essence of a song while catering to a different audience or medium.

There’s an alternate version of "At the Zoo" with significantly different lyrics. This version seems to explore themes of change and adaptation, particularly in the context of a musician's relationship while he's away on tour. Retaining the phrase "Something tells me" in both versions hints at a common thread running through the song's different iterations, despite the divergent lyrical content.