1966 Classic Ranked Among Best ‘American Rock Songs’ of All Time Became a No. 1 Hit

Few songs in rock history have a comeback story quite like Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.”

Originally recorded as an acoustic ballad and released on the duo’s 1964 debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., the song initially went nowhere. The album failed commercially, and the partnership between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel appeared to stall. Disappointed, Simon moved to London to pursue a solo career, believing the American chapter of the duo had quietly closed.

But the story was far from over.

In 1965, as folk rock surged in popularity thanks to electrified hits from artists like Bob Dylan and The Byrds, Columbia Records producer Tom Wilson saw potential in the overlooked track. Without Simon or Garfunkel’s knowledge, Wilson overdubbed electric guitar, bass and drums onto the original acoustic recording, transforming the contemplative folk song into a radio-ready folk-rock anthem.

The gamble paid off.

The remixed version of “The Sound of Silence” began climbing the charts, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966. By the time Simon learned of its success, the song was already a national hit and he quickly returned to the United States to reunite with Garfunkel.

The unexpected chart-topping success didn’t just revive the duo; it reshaped their trajectory. The electrified version became the opening track on their 1966 album Sounds of Silence, launching a remarkable run that would include classics like “Mrs. Robinson,” “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Lyrically, “The Sound of Silence” captured the alienation and unease of the era. Its opening line, “Hello darkness, my old friend,” remains one of the most recognizable introductions in rock history. The song’s themes of isolation, communication breakdown and social unrest resonated deeply during a decade defined by political upheaval and cultural change.

“The Sound of Silence was the first song I wrote which seemed to come from some place that I didn’t inhabit,” Simon said in a 2024 interview.

“At age 23, it was unusual, well beyond my age and abilities. Then it happened again throughout my writing. ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ was another song that came mysteriously. So did a lot of ‘Graceland.’ I wrote ‘Slip Slidin’ Away’ in 20 minutes – usually it takes me a couple of months to get a song. There are other examples, like ‘Darling Lorraine,’ of songs that came from some place else… A mystery, you could call it.”

Now ranked among the best “American rock songs” of all time by Ultimate Classic Rock, “The Sound of Silence” stands as both a product of its time and a timeless reflection of it.

What began as a commercial disappointment ultimately became a No. 1 hit and one of the most enduring songs in American music history.

Related: 1973 Hit Ranked Best ‘American Rock Song’ of All Time