Leaves That Are Green
"Leaves That Are Green" | |
---|---|
Song by Simon and Garfunkel | |
from the album Sounds of Silence | |
A-side | "Homeward Bound" |
Genre | Folk pop, folk rock[1] |
Length | 2:20 |
Label | Columbia Records |
Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon |
"Leaves That Are Green" is a song written and originally recorded by Paul Simon for his 1965 album The Paul Simon Songbook.[2][3] It was later re-recorded with Garfunkel for the 1966 album Sounds of Silence, adding an electric harpsichord, rhythm guitar, and bass.[4] It was also the B-side to the hit song "Homeward Bound".
Cash Box described the song as a "melodic ballad about the ever-constant aging process."[5] Simon biographer Laura Jackson described the song as "peaceful number" in which Simon uses the changing seasons to illustrate that time goes on, and all things come and go.[6] Simon biographer Cornel Bonca criticizes the "cliched nature imagery" but notes that the "delightful" harpsichord opening "belies the lyrics' winsome gloom."[7]
The opening lines were quoted by Billy Bragg's song "A New England".[8]
Simon had played "Leaves That Are Green" at a live concert at his alma mater Queens College in 1964, where he also played "The Sound of Silence."[3] Simon & Garfunkel performed the song live on their 2004 tour.[3]
Dorris Henderson covered "Leaves That Are Green" as a single in 1965.[9] Ronnie Hawkins covered it in 1971 on his album The Hawk.[10]
References
- ^ "Leaves That Are Green - Simon & Garfunkel | Song Info | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "The Paul Simon Songbook - Paul Simon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ a b c Thompson, Dave (2019). Paul Simon FAQ. Backbeat. pp. 42, 53, 257. ISBN 9781493050758.
- ^ "Sounds of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ^ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. February 5, 1966. p. 12. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
- ^ Jackson, Laura. Paul Simon: The Definitive Biography. Kensington. p. 73. ISBN 9780806525396.
- ^ Bonca, Cornel (2014). Paul Simon: An American Tune. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 29, 31. ISBN 9780810884823.
- ^ "Simon & Garfunkel: 18 best songs". The Daily Telegraph. July 5, 2017.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie (2003). Eight Miles High: Folk-rock's Flight from Haight-Ashbury to Woodstock. Backbeat. ISBN 9780879307431.
- ^ "Billboard Album Reviews". Billboard. March 6, 1971. p. 45. Retrieved 2022-01-19.