Differences between Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon

Art Garfunkel vs. Paul Simon

Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon, known collectively as Simon & Garfunkel, were a commercially successful folk-rock duo of the 1960s. After meeting in elementary school in Queens, New York, in 1953, they began performing together as teenagers. The duo's harmonious blend of folk and rock music, characterized by Garfunkel's tenor voice and Simon's songwriting, led to a string of hits and defined a generation. Following their breakup in 1970, both artists embarked on solo careers, with their individual work highlighting their distinct musical identities.

Comparison Table

Category	Art Garfunkel	Paul Simon
Primary Role in Duo	Lead vocalist and harmony singer, vocal arranger.	Songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist.
Vocal Style	A clear, lyrical tenor voice, often described as angelic. Known for singing the higher harmony parts.	A more limited vocal range compared to Garfunkel, but a capable singer who effectively delivered his own narrative-driven lyrics.
Songwriting	Did not write the music or lyrics for the duo's songs, though he did contribute poetry and vocal arrangements.	The primary and almost exclusive songwriter for Simon & Garfunkel, crafting the duo's iconic songs.
Solo Career Musical Style	Focused on his vocal talent, recording albums of songs written by others, primarily in the pop and adult contemporary genres.	Explored a wide range of genres, including reggae, gospel, and world music, most notably on his acclaimed album Graceland.
Solo Career Success	Achieved several solo hits, including "All I Know" and "I Only Have Eyes for You," with multiple gold and platinum albums.	Attained massive critical and commercial success, winning numerous Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Still Crazy After All These Years and Graceland.
Other Pursuits	Pursued an acting career, appearing in films like Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge, and has also published poetry.	Wrote and produced the Broadway musical The Capeman in 1997.

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon

Diverging Paths and Relationship

The primary distinction between the two artists lies in their roles within the partnership: Simon was the creative engine, while Garfunkel was the primary vocal interpreter. This dynamic reportedly contributed to friction, with Simon feeling overshadowed by the praise Garfunkel's voice received for the songs he had written. During the recording of what would be their final album, Bridge over Troubled Water, tensions escalated. Garfunkel's burgeoning acting career led to extended absences, which Simon felt was unfair and disruptive to their musical partnership.

After the duo's dissolution in 1970, their solo careers took markedly different trajectories. Simon evolved as a songwriter, experimenting with diverse musical styles and achieving widespread critical and commercial acclaim. His solo work often featured intricate, narrative-driven lyrics and complex musical arrangements. Garfunkel's solo career relied on his vocal abilities, as he interpreted songs from various songwriters. While he enjoyed commercial success with several albums and singles, his solo output did not achieve the same level of critical recognition as Simon's.

Despite a troubled professional relationship that led to their breakup, the duo has reunited several times for concerts, including a notable free concert in New York's Central Park in 1981 that drew over 500,000 people. Their relationship has been described as volatile, with long periods of not speaking to one another. However, in late 2024, Garfunkel revealed that they had recently met and reconciled.