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Simon & Garfunkel – Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall: A Song of Illusion and Hope
In the realm of folk music, Simon & Garfunkel stand as iconic figures, their harmonious vocals and introspective lyrics weaving a tapestry of timeless classics. Among their vast repertoire, “Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” holds a unique place, a song that delves into the depths of human emotion, exploring themes of illusion, hope, and the resilience of the spirit amidst life’s challenges.
Background
Released in 1967 as part of their album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme, “Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” marked a departure from the duo’s earlier folk-rock sound, showcasing their growing maturity and artistic exploration. The song opens with a gentle acoustic guitar melody, setting the stage for Paul Simon’s introspective lyrics.
The song’s narrator finds himself lost in a world of illusion, seeking refuge from the harsh realities of life. He constructs a fantasy world where “flowers never bend with the rainfall,” a place where beauty and innocence remain untouched by the storms of life.
Simon’s lyrics are rich in imagery and symbolism, painting vivid pictures of the narrator’s inner turmoil. The line “the mirror on my wall casts an image dark and small” reflects the narrator’s distorted self-perception, while the phrase “I wander in the night without direction” underscores his sense of aimlessness and despair.
Despite the song’s somber tone, there is an underlying glimmer of hope. The narrator’s repeated declaration, “I’ll continue to continue to pretend,” suggests his determination to find solace in his illusions, even as he acknowledges their fragility.
The song’s bridge offers a moment of clarity, as the narrator recognizes that “no matter if you’re born to play the king or pawn,” everyone faces challenges and heartbreak. This realization sparks a newfound determination to face reality, to “be what I must be and face tomorrow.”
“Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall” concludes with a sense of quiet acceptance, as the narrator embraces the imperfections of life and the strength within himself to persevere. The song’s final line, “flowers never bend with the rainfall,” takes on a new meaning, representing not just an illusion but also the resilience of the human spirit amidst life’s storms.
Video
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was written by Paul Simon.
- It was released in 1967 as part of the album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme.
- The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Art Garfunkel, and James Taylor.