1966 - November: Simon & Garfunkel ”Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme”

Many consider Simon & Garfunkel's third studio album to be the breakthrough album.  The tracks on Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme were written primarily by Paul Simon during his time as a visitor in England in the prior year.  The songs maintain the folk feel of previous albums, and are heavily tilted towards acoustic instrumentation.  

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in elementary school in Queens, New York, in 1953.  They had their first minor hit as teenagers in 1957 under the stage name Tom and Jerry.  They began by emulating the sound of The Everly Brothers, but moved towards a folk sound as that genre gained in popularity.  

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was a follow-up to their second album, which had been a commercial success, but which the duo felt was rushed.  Simon insisted on control of the recording process, and they took nine months to craft and record the album.  The result would be both a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Pop Album Chart and eventually achieving Triple Platinum status with the RIAA.

The duet would go on to record five studio albums before growing apart and breaking up in 1971.  The duo would reunite several times afterwards, perhaps most famously for their concert in Central Park in 1981.

 

Scarborough Fair/Canticle The opening track originated from an English ballad that had its roots in a Scottish folk song from at least the 1670's.  Simon learned it from Martin Carthy in London, and set it in counterpoint against a song he had previously written in 1963.  It would appear as a single after being featured in the film "The Graduate" in 1968.

Homeward Bound This song had previously appeared on the UK version of the duo's second studio album before appearing on the this American release.  The single hit number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier in 1966, and was on the charts for 12 weeks.  SImon wrote it after returning from England in 1964. 

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) The name of this song is from a bridge in New York, also known as the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge.  The theme to the television series "H.R. Pufnstuf" originally considered composed by Sid and Marty Kroft, was found to be too similar to this song, and Paul Simon was given writing credits to this theme after a court suit.

A Simple Desultory Philippic (or How I Was Robert McNamara'd into Submission)  This song is considered a parody of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," which was released the year before.  The lyrics name-drop many contemporary politicians, musicians, and celebrities, including Art Garfunkel.  Robert McNamara was the U.S. Secretary of Defense at the time the album was released.

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The theme from the television series "The Saint"  Roger Moore starred as Simon Templar in this British spy series.  His work in The Saint would propel him to a future role as James Bond in the 007 movie franchise.

 

STAFF PICKS:

Psychotic Reaction by Count Five Wayne walks down the psychedelic path to open our staff picks.  The song name came from a professor in the lead singer's college psychology class.  The lyrics are about losing your mind due to heartache.  While this is a one-hit wonder, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lists this song as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock."

You Keep Me Hangin' On by The Supremes  Brian's staff pick was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, authors of the Motown sound.  This song was written specifically for The Supremes, and details the tragedy of a relationship in which a man cannot let go of the woman, but can't commit to her either.  This was one of a string of four number 1 songs by The Supremes.

Walk Away Renee by the Left Bank Bruce brings us a little baroque pop, complete with harpsicord and strings.  co-writer Michael Brown claims he wrote the song about Renee Fladen-Kamm, who was the girlfriend of The Left Bank bassist Tom Finn, and with whom Michael Brown was infatuated.  Co-writer Tony Sansone contradicts Brown, saying it was a French girl's name selected at random, inspired by the Beatles' song "Michelle."

A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon & Garfunkel Rob's closes out the staff picks with a famous Simon & Garfunkel single that was recorded during the studio sessions for the album, and was on the charts at the time, but which did not appear on this album.

 

COMEDY TRACK:

Boy Wonder, I Love You by Burt Ward This strange piece is a weird collaboration between Burt Ward (who played Robin in the 60's "Batman" series) and Frank Zappa.  

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