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Disturbed — Sound of Silence
Album: Immortalized
Avg rating:
5.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 698









Released: 2015
Length: 4:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left it's seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed
By the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening

People writing songs
That voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools" said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon God they made
And the sign flashed out it's warning
And the words that it was forming

And the sign said
"The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sound of silence
Comments (247)add comment
The great song with a great story (and just as appropriate to post here as the S & G classic original) 

Heartwarming story - especially for Simon and Garfunkel lovers like me . . . . . “Hello darkness, my old friend…” Everybody knows the iconic Simon & Garfunkel song, but do you know the amazing story behind the first line of The Sounds of Silence?
It began 62 years ago, when Arthur “Art” Garfunkel, a Jewish kid from Queens, enrolled in Columbia University. During freshman orientation, Art met a student from Buffalo named Sandy Greenberg, and they immediately bonded over their shared passion for literature and music. Art and Sandy became roommates and best friends. With the idealism of youth, they promised to be there for each other no matter what.
Soon after starting college, Sandy was struck by tragedy. His vision became blurry and although doctors diagnosed it as temporary conjunctivitis, the problem grew worse. Finally after seeing a specialist, Sandy received the devastating news that severe glaucoma was destroying his optic nerves. The young man with such a bright future would soon be completely blind.
Sandy was devastated and fell into a deep depression. He gave up his dream of becoming a lawyer and moved back to Buffalo, where he worried about being a burden to his financially-struggling family. Consumed with shame and fear, Sandy cut off contact with his old friends, refusing to answer letters or return phone calls.
Then suddenly, to Sandy’s shock, his buddy Art showed up at the front door. He was not going to allow his best friend to give up on life, so he bought a ticket and flew up to Buffalo unannounced. Art convinced Sandy to give college another go, and promised that he would be right by his side to make sure he didn’t fall - literally or figuratively.
Art kept his promise, faithfully escorting Sandy around campus and effectively serving as his eyes. It was important to Art that even though Sandy had been plunged into a world of darkness, he should never feel alone. Art actually started calling himself “Darkness” to demonstrate his empathy with his friend. He’d say things like, “Darkness is going to read to you now.” Art organized his life around helping Sandy.
One day, Art was guiding Sandy through crowded Grand Central Station when he suddenly said he had to go and left his friend alone and petrified. Sandy stumbled, bumped into people, and fell, cutting a gash in his shin. After a couple of hellish hours, Sandy finally got on the right subway train. After exiting the station at 116th street, Sandy bumped into someone who quickly apologized - and Sandy immediately recognized Art’s voice! Turned out his trusty friend had followed him the whole way home, making sure he was safe and giving him the priceless gift of independence. Sandy later said, “That moment was the spark that caused me to live a completely different life, without fear, without doubt. For that I am tremendously grateful to my friend.”
Sandy graduated from Columbia and then earned graduate degrees at Harvard and Oxford. He married his high school sweetheart and became an extremely successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.
While at Oxford, Sandy got a call from Art. This time Art was the one who needed help. He’d formed a folk rock duo with his high school pal Paul Simon, and they desperately needed $400 to record their first album. Sandy and his wife Sue had literally $404 in their bank account, but without hesitation Sandy gave his old friend what he needed.
Art and Paul's first album was not a success, but one of the songs, The Sounds of Silence, became a #1 hit a year later. The opening line echoed the way Sandy always greeted Art. Simon & Garfunkel went on to become one of the most beloved musical acts in history.
The two Columbia graduates, each of whom has added so much to the world in his own way, are still best friends. Art Garfunkel said that when he became friends with Sandy, “my real life emerged. I became a better guy in my own eyes, and began to see who I was - somebody who gives to a friend.” Sandy describes himself as “the luckiest man in the world.”
Adapted from Sandy Greenberg’s memoir: “Hello Darkness, My Old Friend: How Daring Dreams and Unyielding Friendship Turned One Man’s Blindness into an Extraordinary Vision for Life." 
The 5.4 for this formidable cover track are too low by half, imho. His voice is a knockout. 
 lizardking wrote:

I get the sense that the low ratings for this cover are due to it being a cover, and of the highly acclaimed S&G at that.  

As a cover, I think this one is great.

If it were an original, I would think it is great. 

Clearly I think this song is great (10).  As a cover, I find it to have some missing elements of the original (also a 10).  Starts soft, and each verse gets more intense.  Still, the intense parts seem somewhat restrained, or maybe a better way to say it is it's controlled.  And singer David Draiman is classically trained.  

Here's to getting to hear this one on 'my favorites' since it's clearly been voted off the RP island.  And that's OK too.  

Long Live RP and great covers!!



I'm with you, lizardking!
I'd definitely enjoy hearing this song (occasionally) in RP rotation.
I'm sad that, as you expressed perfectly; "it's clearly been voted off the RP island."
Today, 5/25, after another brain-and-soul dead mass slaughter of innocent children in TX, a symptom of a truly DISTURBED nation, this song once again is timely.  Either version, but today, this one rules. 
I get the sense that the low ratings for this cover are due to it being a cover, and of the highly acclaimed S&G at that.  

As a cover, I think this one is great.

If it were an original, I would think it is great. 

Clearly I think this song is great (10).  As a cover, I find it to have some missing elements of the original (also a 10).  Starts soft, and each verse gets more intense.  Still, the intense parts seem somewhat restrained, or maybe a better way to say it is it's controlled.  And singer David Draiman is classically trained.  

Here's to getting to hear this one on 'my favorites' since it's clearly been voted off the RP island.  And that's OK too.  

Long Live RP and great covers!!
In these times, I gotta bump this to an 8.  If and when real life gets worse, the song, somehow, gets better. 
 kingart wrote:
Histrionics aside, this rather amazing cover simply deserves a higher rating than a 5.4.  Get the lead (led) out. 
 
Histrionics is a great description.  Takes the Sound of Silence and SCREAMS it out.  I find it quite moving.  Shouting it out!  He is giving it all he has as he suffers the sound of silence.  Makes me imagine he is stuck in silent and lonely isolation.  
Histrionics aside, this rather amazing cover simply deserves a higher rating than a 5.4.  Get the lead (led) out. 
WOW!!
 zurcronium wrote:
Simon and Garfunkel are tuning over in their graves. I know, they are still alive. Hearing this 
cover would put them in their graves so they could then turnover in it.   

This song is like Metallica imploded and became an elevator.  
 
Paul Simon seems to disagree with your assertions:
 woodificould wrote:
I grew up with Simon and Garfunkel.  Their melodic voices, their orchestrated harmonies, veered from the British pop genre of the early sixties.  Their music was sweet, pleasant, thoughtful.

Disturbed's version of SOS is passionate, bold, emotional!!  It's a bit like a car crash:  I can't look away.  I really like it.  I want to hear it again. And again!!


 

Yep, me too. Like the video too. No one else has to like it. I gave the original S&G a higher rating anyway.

*bump*

Just bumped to 8.
 LizK wrote:
All those low ratings.  All those negative musical critiques.  
All deserved.   {#Cry} 
 

40% 7 rating or above.
 woodificould wrote:
I grew up with Simon and Garfunkel.  Their melodic voices, their orchestrated harmonies, veered from the British pop genre of the early sixties.  Their music was sweet, pleasant, thoughtful.

Disturbed's version of SOS is passionate, bold, emotional!!  It's a bit like a car crash:  I can't look away.  I really like it.  I want to hear it again. And again!!


 

Yep, me too. Like the video too. No one else has to like it. I gave the original S&G a higher rating anyway.

I grew up with Simon and Garfunkel.  Their melodic voices, their orchestrated harmonies, veered from the British pop genre of the early sixties.  Their music was sweet, pleasant, thoughtful.

Disturbed's version of SOS is passionate, bold, emotional!!  It's a bit like a car crash:  I can't look away.  I really like it.  I want to hear it again. And again!!


 rocklandlove wrote:
Dreadful. Actually, beyond dreadful. Note to Disturbed: Please reread the title of this song!

A powerful song does not become more powerful when you bellow it like a Visigoth on the warpath. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
 

 
"bellow it like a Visigoth on the warpath" — quite apropos LOL!
I practice positivity in all things. And I positively detest this...
All those low ratings.  All those negative musical critiques.  
All deserved.   {#Cry} 
Appropriate isn't it, that the lyrics do indeed confirm that the best part of this particular version of the song is...  that wonderful moment that it ends.
yup...my ears are now bleeding...
 
Just horrible. 
Many comment about this. Many hate it for turning a certified 10+ classic into Phantom of the Opera. I find it compelling. The way the voice builds is impressive.  Furious.  Chilling.
And timely. 
 rocklandlove wrote:
Dreadful. Actually, beyond dreadful. Note to Disturbed: Please reread the title of this song!

A powerful song does not become more powerful when you bellow it like a Visigoth on the warpath. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
 

 
I'll go with that.
Thank you for prefacing that listeners "may" not enjoy.......{#No}
I liked the beginning and the middle.  The ending was a little too much.  Made me stop what I was doing to listen though.
 dang that was awesome! — {#Cheers}
Dreadful. Actually, beyond dreadful. Note to Disturbed: Please reread the title of this song!

A powerful song does not become more powerful when you bellow it like a Visigoth on the warpath. Kinda defeats the purpose, no?
 
Why?
Fcking awful
Normally, I'm all for covers. I love hearing a new take on a classic track. Normally. In the original, there is a sincerity in the uncomplicated instrumentation and vocals that really drives home that the song is a warning. Translating the track into some kind of Epic Metal vibe kills it. I never rate songs I don't like because, hey; I'm not the only frood who hoops the everliving gloop out of RP. But this cover is the only piece to date that I would celebrate the removal of with every fiber of my being. Simon & Garfunkel are already in rotation on RP. Let's just user their track instead, ya? Thanks for your time, Bill.
very good song!!
Terrible.  An all or nothing. In my case a nothing.
No, bill, no!  Send it to the cornfield, send it to the corn field!!
horrible
Totally over-forced :-)
{#Frustrated}
Well ... Need some silence after this noise. 
Agree

 Ben54 wrote:
I think this version is amazing....a very different take on a classic....

 


I think this version is amazing....a very different take on a classic....
I actually don't mind this, at all.
Don't think I've ever given any song a 1.
WTF!!! It's so worse, got no words for that .. 
Simon and Garfunkel are tuning over in their graves. I know, they are still alive. Hearing this 
cover would put them in their graves so they could then turnover in it.   

This song is like Metallica imploded and became an elevator.  
 Catalytic wrote:
Pretentious version "sung" by a person who things dramatic, deep spoken word can pass for "singing". The original had subtlety and tone. This is just some smoked lung karaoke.  

 
ha!

sounds like something that might get sung on the "Idol" show or the other singing show.
For me it was a novelty that wore itself out after a couple of listens.

Horrid.


 squibby wrote:

This song may not be a total loss, it inspired one of the best comments ever!

 
+1 (+10 in fact!)
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Sounds a bit like a parody, but I don't think it is.

 
It does.  Certainly at the beginning.  

That said, I kinda like it.   
No.  No, no, no no, NO!
Sounds a bit like a parody, but I don't think it is.
 DavidFromHouston wrote:
I'm thinking about rating all my previous 1s at a 2, because with this recording, there is a new low. 
 
This song may not be a total loss, it inspired one of the best comments ever!
 "...smoked lung karaoke."    That's the best description ever. I am killing myself laughing.
Catalytic wrote:
Pretentious version "sung" by a person who things dramatic, deep spoken word can pass for "singing". The original had subtlety and tone. This is just some smoked lung karaoke.  

 


Pretentious version "sung" by a person who things dramatic, deep spoken word can pass for "singing". The original had subtlety and tone. This is just some smoked lung karaoke.  
Sounds like someone trying to inpress the jury of american idol way over the top! just give me some silence without this sound please.
 hanssachs wrote:
No.  I don't care if Paul Simon likes it - I don't.

 
You never really know. Sometimes artists just don't want to dis other artists and they let them have their own interpretation. They don't want to be a downer and realize it might have some attraction to a different audience, even if the original artist doesn't like it. So they just say "yeah, I like it," but their real thoughts might be a bit (or a lot) different.
 skooba wrote:

Couldn't have said it better myself.  On first listen, I was disturbed, and pretty much in shock.  After a few listens, I find it interesting enough to like it.  Not as much as the original, but it has its place.

 
Yep...it's kinda awful and pretty good at the same time...wouldn't listen to it often, but it has some strong spots.
As I've said before, RP's music is more eclectic than some of its listeners.  Or at least commenters.
One of the young people that I work was talking about how great this song is. He had never heard the original. I think it's kind of cool how songs like this are re-born to a new generation. Even if some of us old farts don't like the new version.
It's a little better without the video. In the video he looks like an angry skinhead.
I just logged in to register my displeasure. Awful. Just awful. I'm glad I haven't recommended this station to anyone today, otherwise I'd be highly embarrassed. The worst recording I've EVER heard on Radio Paradise. 

I'm thinking about rating all my previous 1s at a 2, because with this recording, there is a new low. 
 suz_gibson wrote:

Wow, talk about overwrought.  Yikes.  No restraint whatsoever.



 
This, completely agree
Fantastic video for this interpretation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4
Unneccesary. Almost a parody.
 graftdesign wrote:
Not sure why so many people hate this version of the song. It's a great cover sung with power, finesse and emotion. Sure it's not the same thing as the original and the original will always shine, but this version is done very, very well. Great music is just that, great music and this is great.

Love the diversity Bill. 

 
Ditto. {#Surprised}
Image result for disturbed sound of silence
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=disturbed+sound+of+silence&&view=detail&mid=44F600D7B15EC73DAAF344F600D7B15EC73DAAF3&FORM=VRDGAR
Fantastic interpretation of a great song. 
 
 Clark_Novato wrote:
This is delightfully horrible!

 
Couldn't have said it better myself.  On first listen, I was disturbed, and pretty much in shock.  After a few listens, I find it interesting enough to like it.  Not as much as the original, but it has its place.
Not sure why so many people hate this version of the song. It's a great cover sung with power, finesse and emotion. Sure it's not the same thing as the original and the original will always shine, but this version is done very, very well. Great music is just that, great music and this is great.

Love the diversity Bill. 

Wow, talk about overwrought.  Yikes.  No restraint whatsoever.


 mardisoninnc wrote:
A terrible version of a beautiful song.

 
I have to agree. Dreadful.
A perfectly satisfying crescendo. 
PSD!
A terrible version of a beautiful song.
This is awful.  Make it stop.  PSD.

Although the purist would cast this aside....easily.  

The song and way it is presented , if listened to with that in mind, has a larger impact. At least that is the way it makes me feel.

Bill, seriously thanks for adding this version.


Unnecessary. 
 tomcool wrote:
Of course it's not as good as the original, because the original is given to us, received, as a thing of beauty, like all songs that rate a "10"  . . . but this cover is powerful, ballsy, and faithful in its re-interpretation.  Kudos to Bill G. for playing it . . 
Ditto
DISTURBING
I love this song.  His voice is amazing.  Just love it. And this rendition.
 bacampbe wrote:
No. Normally I like bombastic stuff, but this just took one of the best songs of all time and filed the edge off of it.

 
I'd say they added a whole new level of edge. 
Nope - PSD.
No. Normally I like bombastic stuff, but this just took one of the best songs of all time and filed the edge off of it.
That cover is utter horrible crap...
Surprisingly good.
Aweful and disgraceful! I hope I never hear it again, ever.
not sounds of silence....sounds better when silent....
terribile.....
Very disturbing indeed.
Does what every cover should do - interprets, expands, illuminates. Amazing. 
Yes, the voice is powerful but absolutely inappropriate and over the top. I feel that less would have been more. Still love the unbeaten original.
What a voice! A wonderful version of a wonderful song. Not only does it highlight what a good song the original is, but just how much variation there is in this unique world of ours.
What a silly, unnecessary and ingnorant cover of a great song... 

..and Auto-tuned, what a shame....  {#Frown}


No.  I don't care if Paul Simon likes it - I don't.
      Silky and smooth.
Try and see an I'm in zone


Bill, I know you have a thing for cover versions, but this version is not very good, and it's gotta at least come up to par with the original, which was and is amazing.  If you must find a cover for this song, please, try to find something better.  Thanks!
No, a thousand times no. Just no. Nothing new here - no need for this cover. Please stop. pxd
Awesome cover of a classic.
I personally prefer as most others I think the original. Interestingly I heard it just a few days ago first time on german radio. The radio moderator mentioned that Paul Simon himself congratulated them for this version ...
Really interesting take on a benchmark. I think that it can be jarring when such a touchstone classic is reinterpreted. phenomenally powerful vocal with great range. Shame that they went the grandiose Phil Spectre route. I cant help but feel that a sparer arrangement with piano, chello and guitar would be an improvement- and more unique. 
Went from laughing at it to loving it after hearing it a few times.  That man's voice is just beautiful.  Watch him sing it live on Conan.  Its the real deal.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk7RVw3I8eg
Gotta give this an OK score for shear audacity
+1

 
dwlangham wrote:
Please, please, please: Make it stop.
 


fuck me.
Please, please, please: Make it stop.
I actually stopped to check who did this cover...I can see why some folks might hate it, but I really enjoyed it and feel like that was 3+ minutes of my life well spent.
A more aggressive and louder vocal performance that lacks the musical intensity of the original recording with a side order of auto tune. Ack!

 
 BCarn wrote:
Not a fan of this. Some songs just shouldn't be redone.

 
Respectfully disagree, the ones that are held so sacred that they shouldn't be covered are the exact ones that need to be covered and redone.
The greatest cover of all time, in my opinion, was Cash with Hurt. Took a song about addiction that a few experience, into a song about our own mortality, something everyone will experience. 
The original is Hallowed Ground as far as I'm concerned and should never be remade. And this cover does an insult the original. Solid 1.
 
I can dig it..  {#Nyah}

thought to myself "Who ever is murdering this song is a talentless hack!"  , checks radioparadise, it's "Disturbed"   Right on the money.

Audible atrocity.


 aspicer wrote:
{#No}
 
Unreal. Seriously?
Not.  Overwrought song made even more so.
 Timbo080 wrote:
Love this version!!!

From a 9 to 10 

 
Boooooooooooooooooooooo!{#Wall}
 hewhallock wrote:
Just horrible. Over-produced, grandiose, silly.

 
Exactly!
This is delightfully horrible!
{#No}
The actual sound of silence is far preferable to me over this cover.  
Love this version!!!

From a 9 to 10 
Not a fan of this. Some songs just shouldn't be redone.
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I think I hear autotune in a couple of places ...(In the naked light I saw...) He can hit the notes, why not just do another take?

 
Lazy
It's a crutch. 
After talking to a guy that used to work for us and has installed studio soundboards for 20 years now. I was surprised by his comment that most studio guys just turn it on by default, you have to request that it's turned off. I'm sure this doesn't apply to all studios but it's prevalent enough that he commented on it.