1966 Top Ten: I Am a Rock (#10)

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Last month it was 1986 and 1976. The songwriter here was used in the 1986 countdown, and we talked about his dramatic change for the worse in songwriting. Today, in this song that’s now 60 years old, I’ll show you what I mean. Into the top ten with one of the best-written songs of that year. #10: I Am a Rock - Simon & Garfunkel Last month I used “All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints” from Paul Simon’s great album Graceland. As much I enjoy that song, and that album, the songwriting is almost from a completely different person. Think about the big hit from that album, “You Can Call Me Al” (on second thought, don’t ): “If you be my bodyguard I can be your long-lost pal, I can call you Betty, and Betty when you call me, you can call me Al.” Let’s go back to this song: “I’ve built walls, a fortress deep and mighty that none may penetrate,” or “I won’t disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.” DANG, Paul, what happened. This song is bitter, painful, and stinking brilliant. How about that alliteration in the first verse, “a freshly-fallen silent shroud of snow.” And, of course, the beautiful harmonies that Art Garfunkel provides make nearly any song better. Both of these guys are still living, and they aren’t exactly on speaking terms. I wish they’d get that resolved. This song alone is worth reconciling over, never mind all the other great ones. I Am a Rock Written by Paul Simon Recorded by Simon & Garfunkel From Sounds of Silence, 1966 I am shielded in my armor: