Kathy's Song

Last updated
"Kathy's Song"
Song by Simon and Garfunkel
from the album Sounds of Silence
Genre Folk rock
Length3:17
Label Columbia Records
Songwriter(s) Paul Simon

"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]

Contents

Critical reception

The 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

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]

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References

  1. "The Paul Simon Songbook - Paul Simon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  2. "Sounds of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  3. 1 2 "The 20 greatest Simon & Garfunkel songs – ranked". The Independent. February 28, 2020.
  4. "The Very Best of Simon & Garfunkel: Tales from New York - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  5. "The Essential Simon & Garfunkel - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" via www.allmusic.com.
  6. "Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits - Simon & Garfunkel; Songs, Reviews, Credits" via www.allmusic.com.
  7. Gallucci, Michael (5 November 2012). "Top 10 Simon & Garfunkel Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  8. "Simon & Garfunkel's 15 greatest songs ever, ranked". Gold Radio UK.
  9. McCain, Buzz (1 October 2000). "The Late Eva Cassidy's 'Time': Just Heavenly". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  10. Starkey, Arun (2 November 2021). "Six Definitive Songs: The ultimate beginner's guide to Eva Cassidy". Far Out. Retrieved 11 March 2023.