"Kathy's Song" is a song originally by Paul Simon from his 1965 debut album The Paul Simon Songbook.[1] It was re-recorded for Simon & Garfunkel's second album Sounds of Silence, released in 1966. It has been described as one of Simon's most personal songs;[2] it is dedicated to Kathy Chitty, Simon's girlfriend and muse during his mid-1960s sojourn in England.[3] It has also been included on most compilation albums of the duo, such as Tales from New York: The Very Best of Simon & Garfunkel,[4] The Essential Simon and Garfunkel[5] and Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits.[6]
| "Kathy's Song" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Simon and Garfunkel | |
| from the album Sounds of Silence | |
| Genre | Folk rock |
| Length | 3:17 |
| Label | Columbia Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon |
Critical reception
editThe Independent ranked "Kathy's Song" 18th among Simon & Garfunkel's 20 greatest songs,[3] while Ultimate Classic Rock ranks it 10th and describes it as "uncomplicated" yet "Simon's prettiest song and one of the most gorgeous songs ever written".[7] Gold Radio UK ranks it 12th.[8]
Other versions
editMany singers have covered this song. On January 3, 1996, American singer Eva Cassidy recorded a version of "Kathy's Song". The track was included on her album Time After Time, released in 2000 four years after her death. Buzz McCain, writing for the Washington Post, called Cassidy's version "delicate".[9] Arun Starkey for Far Out opined Cassidy's version could make a "strong claim to be better than the original."[10] There are also strong contenders for a better version from Laura Marling and Sarah Jarosz.
References
edit- ^ "The Paul Simon Songbook - Paul Simon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Sounds of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b "The 20 greatest Simon & Garfunkel songs – ranked". The Independent. February 28, 2020.
- ^ "The Very Best of Simon & Garfunkel: Tales from New York - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Essential Simon & Garfunkel - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits - Simon & Garfunkel; Songs, Reviews, Credits" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ Gallucci, Michael (5 November 2012). "Top 10 Simon & Garfunkel Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ "Simon & Garfunkel's 15 greatest songs ever, ranked". Gold Radio UK.
- ^ McCain, Buzz (1 October 2000). "The Late Eva Cassidy's 'Time': Just Heavenly". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Starkey, Arun (2 November 2021). "Six Definitive Songs: The ultimate beginner's guide to Eva Cassidy". Far Out. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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