Bookends is Simon & Garfunkel’s fourth studio album, released in 1968, and is widely regarded as one of their most ambitious works. The album is structured as a concept piece, with the first half exploring the stages of life, from youth to old age, while the second half features standalone songs, including their massive hit Mrs. Robinson from The Graduate soundtrack. With intricate harmonies and poetic lyrics, Bookends captures themes of nostalgia, change, and societal disillusionment. Songs like America and Old Friends showcase Paul Simon’s evocative songwriting, blending folk with baroque pop elements. The album was both a critical and commercial success, cementing the duo’s place in music history.
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