About the Song
Simon & Garfunkel’s “America”. It brings back a flood of memories, doesn’t it? Released in 1968, on their album Bookends, this folk-rock ballad became an anthem for a generation. It was a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States – the Vietnam War raging on, the Civil Rights Movement demanding change, and a counterculture questioning traditional values.
“America” captured that youthful spirit of searching, of yearning for something more. The lyrics paint a picture of a restless young couple, Kathy and the narrator, hitchhiking and riding Greyhound buses across the country. They’re not tourists; they’re on a quest for a dream, a mythical America that represents opportunity, freedom, and perhaps a sense of belonging.
But the song isn’t blindly optimistic. There’s a melancholic undercurrent, a hint of disillusionment. The characters are poor, living on cigarettes and frozen pies. They’re lost, both literally and figuratively, on the New Jersey Turnpike. Is the America they’re searching for even real?
That’s the beauty of “America” – it’s open to interpretation. For some, it’s a hopeful journey of self-discovery. For others, it’s a lament for a fading American dream. But one thing is certain: this song, with its evocative lyrics and Simon & Garfunkel’s signature harmonies, continues to resonate with listeners of all ages. So, let’s revisit “America” and see where it takes us.