Objects: Wednesday Morning, 3 AM

This is Simon & Garfunkel's first album, originally released in 1964. This particular record had belonged to Eagan's dad, and he graciously gave it to me about four years ago. Not only do I love this album (musically), but I also love that this particular record has a personal history -- that this used to be part of his record collection. I think of him listening to this album when he was younger; and what it must have meant to him. I think about what it must have been like to be able to listen to a Simon & Garfunkel album as it just came out (if not this particular one, at least later ones). Eagan's dad even has his last name written on the back of the album in marker (his last name is also written in pencil in the second "d" of "Wednesday" on the cover. And he wrote his last name in pen on the label of side one). I miss the days of labeling your music collection. I always loved that my mom's record collection had her initials written on the cover.

Simon & Garfunkel were a big part of my musical upbringing. I've been listening to their records for as long as I can remember. My mom was a big S&G fan and she exposed me to their music early. She would play their music in the house while grading papers or working on something. Even my grandfather (my mom's dad) was a big fan. He loved listening to S&G through big headphones. I had one hip grandpa.

I think Paul Simon is one of the greatest songwriters ever.

I absolutely love the scene in Almost Famous when William's sister plays "America" to help explain why she's leaving home. As the song is still playing in the background, William discovers the record collection his sister has left for him. I love how he touches the covers with wonderment.

"America" is one of my favorite S&G songs. When Paul sings, "'Kathy, I'm lost,' I said -- though I knew she was sleeping. I'm empty and aching and I don't know why", I get goosebumps. Sometimes it makes me cry.

Back to Wednesday Morning, 3 AM. This was Simon & Garfunkel's debut album. Paul and Art decided to go their separate ways soon after they finished recording (Paul moved to England. Art went back to studying at Columbia University). Initially the album did not do very well. About a year later, the song "The Sounds of Silence" off the album caught on and became more popular. People started to request it on the radio and it received more airplay (this is the original, acoustic version). Looking to take advantage of this new popularity, their record producer decided to remix the song by dubbing electric guitars, bass, and drums (provided by Bob Dylan's studio band) onto the acoustic track because "folk rock" was becoming more popular (and he was inspired by the success of The Byrds doing electric versions of Dylan songs). He released it as a single, and allegedly neither Paul nor Art approved of what the producer had done to the track. Paul was still living abroad when he first learned that the single had hit the charts. After hearing the news, he moved back to the states and Simon & Garfunkel decided to re-form the group. Wednesday Morning, 3AM was re-released in January 1966 (which is also when they released their second full-length album, Sounds of Silence) and it was more successful the second time around.

On the back cover of Wednesday Morning there is a letter that Art wrote to Paul, who was living in London at the time. In the letter, Art explains to Paul that he was asked by the producer to write the album notes (Art compares this task to that of the man that was advised by Franz Kafka to burn all his manuscripts upon his death, but he nonetheless felt the obligation to publish Kafka's stuff anyway). What follows is sheer admiration of Paul and his songwriting ability (sometimes it sounds like Art isn't even in the group, but a devoted follower. Which, let's be honest, Art is definitely not at the same level of Paul; though he's still an important part of the group). Art then writes a track-by-track "listener's guide". In the guide he further compliments Paul and discusses the songs -- including what the songs are about (or what Art thinks the songs are about, at least. For example, here are some of his thoughts on "Bleecker Street": "I confess that Bleecker Street was too much for me at first. The song is highly intellectual, the symbolism extremely challenging... Admittedly, the song is difficult to understand, but worth the effort."). In the final paragraph of his letter, Art writes, "Paul -- let me know what you think." His devotion and approval-seeking kind of breaks my heart.

My favorite song off Wednesday Morning is "Bleecker Street". Not only is it my favorite song off this album, but it's also one of my favorite S&G songs when I think of their whole catalog. The acoustic guitar part is so beautiful and calming (and very Simon-esque. You know what I'm talking about: guitar picking that sounds like soft raindrops falling. He mastered that sound) and the vocal harmonies are excellent. I also really like the bass on this song -- it adds a really nice touch. The song kind of reminds me of Ian & Sylvia's "Early Morning Rain" (written by Gordon Lightfoot); actually, it's probably more appropriate to say Early Morning Rain reminds me of Bleecker Street. I also really like the lyrics of Bleecker Street. "Voices leaking from a sad cafe. Smiling faces try to understand. I saw a shadow touch a shadow's hand...on Bleecker Street." The part that really gets to me is when they sing, "I saw a shadow touch a shadow's hand." That line, for me, really gets at feelings of isolation and desperately seeking a connection. And that line is sung beautifully.

  Simon and Garfunkel - Bleecker Street by hconover

Bleecker Street was actually used on a recent episode of Mad Men. It was the seventh episode of the fourth season. The episode was entitled "The Suitcase". This was a really great and emotionally-powerful episode, and I feel like it's my favorite Mad Men episode in the entirety of the show. And how could this episode possibly get better? Well, in the closing scene of the episode, they use the song Bleecker Street. When the acoustic guitar at the beginning of the song starts playing during the scene, I thought to myself, "Wow. They actually just topped perfection." I completely approve of them ending my favorite episode with one of my favorite Simon & Garfunkel songs.