1001 Albums Summary

It's been awhile since I first listened to this album. What I do remember was one, I'm not a huge country person but I really enjoyed this album. It had interesting lyrics and topics explored in the music and was a live album at a concert of his. I need to re-listen to it again but I would definitely recommend.

Starts off with a beautiful and calming instrumental that leads into the second song "Save the life of my child" which has a grand start. This song seems to explore the suicide of a young boy and looks into the affection of the women around and the inaffection of the men, mainly the police officer who has a lack of remorse saying that the boy does not respect the law. It's a overwhelming song with much going on but it matches the topic explored. The overwhelming situation, the panic of the people, matches the different sounds going on all at once in the song. We are then lead into "America." I hear the faint sound of a woman's voice. A calmer song than the last. There's a surprising amount of dialogue in the song, snippets of conversations or even simple shared words between lovers. Simon and his girlfriend of the time (which I found out by looking up) are on a road trip to America, and while there Simon keeps looking for the America he's been promised, the "American Dream." This song is an exploration on Simon's existential crisis over what he was taught to believe America is and what it actually is. We are then taken into "Overs." This song seems to explore a seemingly short relationship. A relationship on it's last legs, it's last run. These lovers seem to be separating from one another but can't seem to make any true commitment to a separation. Not happy but comfortable and leaving the comfort of a relationship lost of any real emotions is less frightening than being on their own. Next we are taken into "Voices of Old People." This song is a mixing of snippets of conversations from elderly people at the United home for aged Hebrews and the old home for age Reseda. An interesting look on what elderly people are thinking and feeling. "Old Friends" has a stunning beginning. Something that feels a little melancholic but also peaceful and calm. Like coming to terms with something that offers sadness but feels relieving in one way or another. I don't quite know what to make of this song, all I could truly focus on was the deep sadness I felt while listening. A beautiful song I must say. " Bookends Theme- Reprise" is a repeat of the intro. It seems to look back on a memory from when you were younger, a child or teenager. Moments that at the time don't seem that big but as you grow older you can't help but look back on with fondness. "Fakin' It" has a more upbeat sound. The subject is less sad then the others mostly because it is an extremely common feeling among most everyone. The feeling of insecurity and shortcomings and doing your best to hide them. "Punky's Dilemma" This song contains quite silly lyrics. Dreaming of being serial or a form of bread. But it has some deep political meanings. After doing some research it seems that Simon is critiquing the way society seems to quickly jump into groups and constantly politicizing small or trivial things. Making groups with fervor. A silly song contains deep meanings when you really look at it. " Mrs. Robinson" is a song featured the "The Graduate" soundtrack. This song was originally called "Mrs. Roosevelt" but Simon was asked if he could write a song for a movie. He said he was too busy touring but was working on a song which then became "Mrs.Robinson." I don't quite know what it is fully exploring but it isn't as sad as the other songs on the album have been. A nice break from the sadness I've so far indured. " A Hazy Shade of Winter" is a look on the journey of life and what your life has now become, what it now is. "At the Zoo" could stand for a collection of different people, how they may all come together in one place but are still separated by their differences. I think the album was an exploration of different relationships in life and I think it's an album that I enjoyed but the more I listen the more I'll love it and the more I'll understand it.