The Only Living Boy in New York
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| “The Only Living Boy In New York” | ||
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| Song by Simon and Garfunkel | ||
| Released | January 26, 1970 | |
| Recorded | November 1968 and November 1969 |
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| Genre | Folk-rock | |
| Length | 3:59 | |
| Label | Columbia Records | |
| Producer | Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Roy Halee |
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"The Only Living Boy in New York" is a song written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon and Garfunkel. It is the eighth track from the American pop duo's fifth and final studio album, Bridge Over Troubled Water.
[edit] Background
Simon wrote this as a thinly-veiled message to Art Garfunkel, referring to a specific incident where Garfunkel went to Mexico to act in the film Catch-22. Simon was left alone in New York writing songs for Bridge over Troubled Water, hence the lonely feelings of "The Only Living Boy In New York." Simon refers to Garfunkel in the song as Tom, referring to their early days when they were called Tom and Jerry.
[edit] Personnel
- Paul Simon — lead vocals, background vocals, guitar
- Art Garfunkel — backup and harmony vocals
- Joe Osborn — bass guitar
- Larry Knechtel — organ
- Fred Carter, Jr. — guitar
- Hal Blaine — drums
[edit] Adaptations and Use in Movies
- The song was featured in the film Tadpole, in which it was performed by the group Everything But the Girl.
- The reggae hit "Weather Report," by The Tennors, was adapted from this song.
- The 1990's British indie band Carter USM parodied the title of the song for their biggest-selling single, "The Only Living Boy In New Cross". New Cross is an area of south-east London.
- This song is featured as part of the soundtrack for the film Garden State during a pivotal point in the movie
