Back when I was a kid in the 70’s and 80’s, you never admitted to liking your parents music. In fact you usually forced yourself to not like it, despite how good it was. We were probably too immature to recognise the quality. We were strictly pop chart top 20.
Simon & Garfunkel were one of those artists that in my group were considered ultra daggy. As we grew we learned to recognise great music. Then soon we were game enough to admit it. We could say we like the Sound of Silence and not fear being ridiculed.
A few years ago (Yeah, I’m late to the party!) I happened to hear a song blaring out of my son’s bedroom. It was an angry version of The Sound of Silence I’d never heard before playing on the radio. I’d come along midway through to witness the rising of the vocals and I had to stop whatever the hell I was doing and look this up. By Disturbed, Son said. Who are they? A metal band. This is a metal band? Geez this guy, David Draiman, can freakin’ sing! His voice had feeling. It gave the song a whole new dimension. Several of them, in fact.
I immediately looked it up on Youtube and played it from the start. Man, that song glued me to the screen. I bought it from Google Play and I don’t easily buy music. This song literally did grab me.
Then I came across a reaction video. I was so happy to see other people reacting to it in the same way I did. In fact I’ve watched so many reaction videos to this song and of the live version they performed on Conan. It’s even really satisfying to see reactions from vocal coaches who are equally impressed with it. I love hearing that Paul Simon endorsed this version. It’s just a freaking amazing version of an already fantastic song.
Official Music Video:
Live on Conan:
And also search for the reaction videos. You will enjoy the inclusion you feel as you realise many other people react in a similar way.