Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (1969)

Performing together as early as 1957 under the name of Tom & Jerry, this duet was one of the most successful acts of the 1960s. Composed of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, they rose to fame in 1965 with their signature song “The Sound of Silence” and further propelled their stardom by having their music featured throughout the 1967 film The Graduate. Differences between the two led to the duo breaking up in 1970, but each decade since has seen them perform together, most notably the free Concert In Central Park, which gathered over 500,000 attendees.

This lyrical masterpiece, written by Paul Simon, was released as a single in 1969 and later again on the duo’s last album, Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970). It’s noted for being the duo’s most highly produced song, requiring over 100 hours to record. The “lie-la-lie”, which makes up the choruses, was originally intended as a lyrical placeholder before it was finally cemented into the recorded version.



Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer (1969)

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Lyrics:

I am just a poor boy
Though my story's seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocket full of mumbles; such are promises
All lies and jests
Still, a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest

When I left my home and my family
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station, runnin’ scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Lookin’ for the places only they would know

Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
La-la-la-lie

Asking only workman's wages
I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue
I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there

Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
La-la-la-lie

Then I'm laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone
Going home
Where the New York City winters aren't bleedin’ me
Bleeding me; going home

In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him ‘til he cried out
In his anger and his shame
"I am leaving! I am leaving!"
But the fighter still remains

Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
La-la-la-lie...

Harry's Group - Under My Umbrella (1967)

Unfortunately, this is another instance where there isn’t a lot of information available about the artist or the song. Depending on what you’re reading, the song was either released in 1967 or 1968. It was written by Chip Taylor (who also wrote “Wild Thing” and other hits) and Billy Vera (another accomplished songwriter).

The song went widely under-appreciated for two main reasons. The first would be the large amounts of amazing music being released in 1967 and 1968 overshadowing its release; the second was the minimal effort put forth by the record company to get the song airtime. And despite popular rumors, this song has no relation to Rihanna's song titled "Umbrella."



Harry's Group - Under My Umbrella (1967)

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Lyrics:

Someone broke the toy balloon
Stole the sun and hid the moon
And if you’re wondering where the dawn will find you
Leave it all behind you

And come under my umbrella
(Close together)
(Under my umbrella)
So the tears won’t get you
(Under my umbrella)
Knowing I won’t let you down
There’s love all around
(Love all around you)
Under my umbrella

Someone stole the children’s toys
Made soldiers outta little boys
And if you’re wondering where your dreams have gone to
And where you should run to

Then come under my umbrella
(Close together)
(Under my umbrella)
So the tears won’t get you
(Under my umbrella)
Knowing I won’t let you down
There’s love all around
(Love all around you)
Under my umbrella

Meet me in the afternoon
The yesterdays have passed too soon
We’ll sing upon the memories
Of all too common harmonies
Then we’ll change the melody
And make it right for you and me
Only you and I will understand

Then come under my umbrella
(Close together)
(Under my umbrella)
So the tears won’t get you
(Under my umbrella)
Knowing I won’t let you down
There’s love all around
(Love all around you)
Under my umbrella

There’s love all around
(Love all around you)
Under my umbrella

Ah, so much love all around…

The Pretty Things - Private Sorrow (1968)

In early 1962, Dick Taylor, Keith Richards, and Mick Jagger were in a band called Little Boy Blue & The Blue Boys. When they met Brian Jones and Ian Stewart in mid-1962, the bands merged and took on Jones’ band name, the Rollin’ Stones. By November of the same year, Taylor had left the group due to his acceptance at London Central School of Art, where he met Phil May and formed this band. Meanwhile, his old bandmates went on to become The Rolling Stones.

This song comes from S.F. Sorrow, one of rock’s first concept albums. The entire album surrounds around the life of Sebastian F. Sorrow, a character developed by Phil May in a short story. The members of The Who claim this album had no influence on their similarly themed rock opera, Tommy, but many critics have insisted it did.



The Pretty Things - Private Sorrow (1968)

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Lyrics:

Heaven's rain falls upon
Faces of the children who look skyward
Twisting metal through the air
Scars and screams
So you might know its fury

Seashells whistle
Let your mind drift away
Seashells whistle
Let yourself hide away

Men walking tall
Looking so small
Green trees of life disappearing
Mouthing the sounds
Face, clowning the frowns
Black, the lips of command
Torn in the heart
You're playing the part
Courage, it is so demanding
Loud brass in bands
Marching through lands
Life snatching hand is near

Heaven's army falls upon
The skirts of mother Earth
And then flies skyward
Twisting wings through the air
Lift the souls
So you might know his fury

Seashells whistle
Let your mind drift away
Seashells whistle
Let yourself hide away

Dressed in white silk of rain
You marry the pain
As you kneel in a church of bright steel
A new morning arrives
You share the same skies
Umbrella’ing a land full of peace
As the memory fades
On the edge of a blade
You'll return; you're sure that you will
From the frame in your hand
A smile expands
Hangs from a thread of glass tears