Introduction:
Released in 1977, amidst the tail end of the iconic folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel’s illustrious career, “Slip Slidin’ Away” became a poignant and introspective ballad that resonated with audiences on a deeply personal level. While the group had officially disbanded in 1970, Paul Simon, the band’s principal songwriter, penned this introspective piece for their 1975 reunion album “Still Crazy After All These Years.” Though not initially intended as a single, “Slip Slidin’ Away” struck a chord with listeners, eventually climbing to number five on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, solidifying its place as a classic of the late 1970s.
The song’s genre leans towards a melancholic folk-rock, a signature sound that Simon & Garfunkel had perfected throughout their career. Acoustic guitar gently weaves its melody, accompanied by subtle percussion and piano flourishes. Simon’s signature tenor vocals carry the weight of the lyrics, imbued with a sense of wistfulness and a yearning for a seemingly lost time. Art Garfunkel’s distinctive harmonies, though less prominent compared to their earlier works, add a layer of melancholic beauty to the song’s overall soundscape. Production for “Slip Slidin’ Away” was credited to Roy Halee, a frequent collaborator with Simon throughout his career. Halee’s masterful touch ensured the song retained a raw and intimate feel, perfectly complementing the introspective nature of the lyrics.
“Slip Slidin’ Away” is more than just a catchy melody; it’s a profound meditation on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of life. The evocative title, a metaphor for the impermanence of existence, sets the stage for Simon’s poignant observations. The opening line, “Slip slidin’ away, slip slidin’ away / You know the nearer your destination / The more you’re slip slidin’ away,” instantly captures the listener’s attention. The verses delve into the anxieties of aging and the realization that cherished moments often slip through our grasp unnoticed. Simon paints a vivid picture of a man consumed by the intensity of his love, fearing that even the most powerful emotions can vanish with time.
“Slip Slidin’ Away” transcended its status as a hit song, becoming an anthem for a generation grappling with the uncertainties of adulthood and the bittersweet passage of time. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning to hold onto fleeting moments. Even after decades of its release, the song continues to resonate with listeners, a testament to the timeless power of Simon & Garfunkel’s songwriting and their ability to capture the universal human experience.
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Lyrics:
Slip slidin’ awaySlip slidin’ awayYou know the nearer your destinationThe more you’re slip slidin’ away
I know a man, he came from my home townHe wore his passion for his woman like a thorny crownHe said “Delores, I live in fearMy love for you is so overpowering
I’m afraid that I will disappear”Slip slidin’ awaySlip slidin’ awayYou know the nearer your destination
The more you’re slip slidin’ awayI know a woman, became a wifeThese are the very words she uses to describe her lifeShe said “A good day ain’t got not rain”
She said “A bad day’s when I lie in bedAnd I think of things that might have been”Slip slidin’ awaySlip slidin’ away
You know the nearer your destinationThe more you’re slip slidin’ awayAnd I know a father who had a sonHe longed to tell him all the reasons for the things he had done
He came a long way just to explainHe kissed his boy as he lay sleepingThen he turned around and he headed home againSlip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ awayYou know the nearer your destinationThe more you’re slip slidin’ awayGod only knows, God makes his plan
The information’s unavailable to the mortal manWe’re working our jobs, collect our payBelieve we’re gliding down the highwayWhen in fact we’re slip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ awaySlip slidin’ awayYou know the nearer your destinationThe more you’re slip slidin’ away
Slip slidin’ awaySlip slidin’ awayYou know the nearer your destinationThe more you’re slip slidin’ away