Released 60 years ago
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel · 1966
28 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
Harmonious folk melodies intertwine with poetic lyrics, creating a reflective soundscape that captures the essence of the 1960s counterculture.
Top tracks — play these first
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Scarborough Fair / Canticle — This track showcases the duo's signature harmonies and inventive arrangement, merging a traditional ballad with a poignant anti-war message that resonated deeply during the era.
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Homeward Bound — A heartfelt reflection on longing and nostalgia, this song perfectly encapsulates the emotional depth of the album and has become one of Simon & Garfunkel's most enduring classics.
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The Dangling Conversation — With its introspective lyrics about disconnection in relationships, this track highlights the duo's talent for blending personal themes with broader social commentary.
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7 O’Clock News / Silent Night — This haunting closing piece juxtaposes a serene Christmas carol with a news report, creating a powerful commentary on societal issues that remains strikingly relevant today.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and intricate arrangements, reflecting the era's folk rock sound.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Scarborough Fair / Canticle' and 'The Dangling Conversation' utilize layered arrangements that create a rich sonic texture.
- The sequencing alternates between reflective ballads and more upbeat songs, maintaining listener engagement through varied tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gentle reflective listening sessions
- steady, calming soundscapes
- poignant lyrical storytelling
- short, immersive tracks
- thoughtful late-night contemplation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 10, 1966, this album was Simon & Garfunkel's third studio effort, following their breakthrough success with 'Sounds of Silence'. At this point in their career, they had solidified their reputation as leading voices in the folk rock movement, blending traditional sounds with contemporary lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Byrds· James Taylor· Buffy Sainte-Marie
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Scarborough Fair / Canticle 3:11
- 2 Patterns 2:45
- 3 Cloudy 2:15
- 4 Homeward Bound 2:30
- 5 The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine 2:44
- 6 The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) 1:42
- 7 The Dangling Conversation 2:40
- 8 Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall 2:14
- 9 A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara’d Into Submission) 2:12
- 10 For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her 2:04
- 11 A Poem on the Underground Wall 1:56
- 12 7 O’Clock News / Silent Night 1:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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