I'm not sure what else to say about this song, except that it's truly a beautiful one, and very touching! I feel it refers to the elusive American Dream, the promise young people are assured as they set out on the world that they can conquer anything. A theme seen throughout the works of Hemmingway, Fiztgerald, and Kerouac, it is merely that: a dream. As the two lovers here progress on their journey, they run out of cigarettes, they grow bored, and they go to sleep. There is nothing left to do but count the cars in the turnpike, who are of couse all doing what they are doing- looking for America.
@carabiner86 - I agree wholeheartedly. I became an ardent fan of Simon & Garfunkel in the late 1960's when I was in high school (graduated in 1970). For me, this piece of Paul Simon's poetry in music definitely referred to a young couple trying to discover for themselves what life in America was all about. I was beginning to go through the process myself. I think it's all the more a poignant song in light of the Vietnam war which was claiming the lives of a great many people, including young American men who were being...
@carabiner86 - I agree wholeheartedly. I became an ardent fan of Simon & Garfunkel in the late 1960's when I was in high school (graduated in 1970). For me, this piece of Paul Simon's poetry in music definitely referred to a young couple trying to discover for themselves what life in America was all about. I was beginning to go through the process myself. I think it's all the more a poignant song in light of the Vietnam war which was claiming the lives of a great many people, including young American men who were being drafted. This song came right about the time when people were finally actively and publicly questioning why we were fighting that war. I love all the imagery contained in the lyrics. Paul Simon wrote so many poetic songs with deep meaning and lyrics that stood up as poetry and Simon & Garfunkel sang them so beautifully -- Songs like "America", "The Sound of Silence", "The Dangling Conversation" and "I Am a Rock", just to name a few. Their songs touched me in the center of myself, causing me to think and consider, and were, for me, a great help in my late teens and early 20's when I was struggling to discover myself. I still love this music -- I'm certain I always will.
I'm not sure what else to say about this song, except that it's truly a beautiful one, and very touching! I feel it refers to the elusive American Dream, the promise young people are assured as they set out on the world that they can conquer anything. A theme seen throughout the works of Hemmingway, Fiztgerald, and Kerouac, it is merely that: a dream. As the two lovers here progress on their journey, they run out of cigarettes, they grow bored, and they go to sleep. There is nothing left to do but count the cars in the turnpike, who are of couse all doing what they are doing- looking for America.
@carabiner86 - I agree wholeheartedly. I became an ardent fan of Simon & Garfunkel in the late 1960's when I was in high school (graduated in 1970). For me, this piece of Paul Simon's poetry in music definitely referred to a young couple trying to discover for themselves what life in America was all about. I was beginning to go through the process myself. I think it's all the more a poignant song in light of the Vietnam war which was claiming the lives of a great many people, including young American men who were being...
@carabiner86 - I agree wholeheartedly. I became an ardent fan of Simon & Garfunkel in the late 1960's when I was in high school (graduated in 1970). For me, this piece of Paul Simon's poetry in music definitely referred to a young couple trying to discover for themselves what life in America was all about. I was beginning to go through the process myself. I think it's all the more a poignant song in light of the Vietnam war which was claiming the lives of a great many people, including young American men who were being drafted. This song came right about the time when people were finally actively and publicly questioning why we were fighting that war. I love all the imagery contained in the lyrics. Paul Simon wrote so many poetic songs with deep meaning and lyrics that stood up as poetry and Simon & Garfunkel sang them so beautifully -- Songs like "America", "The Sound of Silence", "The Dangling Conversation" and "I Am a Rock", just to name a few. Their songs touched me in the center of myself, causing me to think and consider, and were, for me, a great help in my late teens and early 20's when I was struggling to discover myself. I still love this music -- I'm certain I always will.
@carabiner86, I agree entirely with your interpretation.
@carabiner86, I agree entirely with your interpretation.