Paul Simon: Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live) - SNL

Musical guest Paul Simon performs "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on Saturday Night Live.

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[TheGreatGig]

That was not what I was expecting. I was expecting 'not bad' instead I got 'absolutely beautiful'. The man is a musical genius.

[farleywhitfield]

I felt so privileged to be in the studio listening to this, and two other songs, a number of times. This is a great mix but hearing it live from 20 feet away was just incredible.

[rexgoodheart]

How have I missed this? A new shine on perhaps the greatest song ever written. Utterly mesmerizing.

[JohnnyCatFitz]

This arrangement(sp?) Is everything. I'm obsessed. His voice and the arrangement are so nuanced and layered and seem to reflect his whole career and possibly life in just one song. Did he have assistance in this? It's just wonderful craftsmanship, genius and lovingly moving. Perfect. Paul Simon is a treasure.

[lovemeascotsman]

Thanks for all the years of beautiful songs. Keep being creative, Paul. Love ya.

[BarryStanky]

Wow!!! Not sure how I never saw or heard this absolutely beautiful rendition. I had heard that Paul regretted not singing the lead when first released by S&G. I’m glad he let Garfunkel take lead back then thus giving us that masterpiece. But I must say I really love this version as well.

[jamesj]

Paul Simon retiring is so sad.He was, is, and will always be a genius, a master, an artist, and a really fine human being. Paul, your music has been a bridge over many troubled waters. Thank you.

[scottcampbell]

I quit watching SNL regularly about 20 years ago. I happened to watch this night. When I realized what this was, my jaw dropped. This is a stunning version of this iconic song. The man is truly a genius.

[TheKckaloha]

Don't know why people are hating. This is a beautifully re-imagined version of the original.
Open your minds and just hear it in a new way.
Its still amazing!!

[ErisRising]

Love the arrangement. Also love the audience reaction: "Oh, this is an interesting tune that I haven't heard before...huh, that's the opening line to Bridge Over Troubled Water...HOLY SHIT, THAT'S BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER!"

[tamara]

He's always evolving - so beautiful his art

[COMPFUNK]

I like it when the musical guest performs a classic for their second performance; not to mention how the audience freaks out when they suddenly realize what song it IS.

[Judsonian]

Hearing and seeing this band perform brought me to tears. tears. So subtle, everyone playing their part and nothing more. Paul Simon has a gravitational pull for for the greatest musicians. He is the bridge!

[andrewhedstrom]

I wish there was a studio recording of this arrangement!

[whiteraven]

A stunning arrangement and performance. There`s simply nothing can be better than a live performance and these musicians are amazing. Paul Simon is amazing.

[jedwards]

Paul was the best song writer at that period in time. Maybe one of the top 5 ever.

[brucek]

a staggering arrangement and performance, sheer genius

[ericmsandoval]

Incredible rendition of this terrific song.

[dcbahr]

Paul Simon, like Miles Davis, never ceases to reinvent his music. Where Simon’s voice is a bit faulty (a voice that has been on record for upwards of 6 decades now), the instruments fill in for him nicely here. I particularly like the following: 1. The rhythm track and plucked electric guitar to go along with the vocal. 2. The muted trumpet that gives way to the opened horn at the finale. And 3. The piano interlude with the double time break before the full band comes in. I could pick more, but those were the three main things that stood out to me. The point is, if you want to hear the original, it’s still out there, but if I were Paul Simon, I’d want to perform something I’d performed hundreds of thousands of times before in a new way, too. Always reinventing, that’s what an artist does.

[reneweisz]

Wow, this is an amazing arrangement. What a pleasure it is to listen to real musicians