About The Song
“The Boxer” is a song by Simon and Garfunkel from their fifth studio album “Bridge over Troubled Water” in 1970. Additionally, it was produced by the duo and Roy Halee and released as the lead single from the album on March 21, 1969. “The Boxer” was the follow-up to one of the duo’s most successful singles “Mrs. Robinson”. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It performed well internationally, charting within the Top 10 in nine countries, topped as the highest in the Netherlands, Austria, South Africa, and Canada.
The original recording of the song was one of the duo’s most highly produced and took over 100 hours to record. The recording was performed at multiple locations including Nashville, St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, and Columbia studios in Nashville. The original version released with features of instrumental melody played in unison on pedal steel guitar and piccolo trumpet. The song also features a bass harmonica, played by Charlie McCoy which during the second and final verses.
The song’s lyrics take the form of a first-person lament. The singer describes his struggles to overcome loneliness and poverty in New York City. Furthermore, the final verse switches to a third-person sketch of a boxer who despite the effects of, every glove that laid him down or cut him till he cried out, the fighter remains.
Moreover, the lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible. Also, the ideas were written during a time when Simon was being unfairly criticized.
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3LFML_pxlY