This song introduced me to Disturbed. I am a 76 year old grandma, and I fell deeply in love with this version. Yes....Intense and SO Powerful ! When it was written, I was in High School. When I was in High School...during my biology class, the office PA system interrupted class to tell us that president John Fitzgerald Kennedy had just been shot ...in Dallas. I Walked home that day .......................and life was never, ever the same again. Somehow, this version by Disturbed encapsulates ALL of that for me. And then I cry.
@sallyrutledge4726 Thank you Sally for sharing this fond memory... I had just come home from school for lunch.🥹 My whole family sat around the television that weekend. Indeed. Never the same again!🥺
@@sallyrutledge4726 I was making cheeseburgers and milk shakes at my best friend’s house. Her mom had just come home from the hospital.My son and friend were about to eat when her mom yelled from the living room president Kennedy has been shot.No one ate but my 7 year old son, WE WERE devastated.😰 This song speaks volumes “ People talking without speaking”..that’s the way it was the day president Kennedy was shot.
I was 9yrs, old and living in Regensburg, Germany. Our family was stationed there because my father was in the Army. I remember eating Campbell's bean soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. My mom was ironing clothes and yelled so loud I thought she had burnt herself with the iron. Finding out that President Kennedy was killed was horrible. I'll never forget that day. 😢 Greetings from Lake Arrowhead. 💜🦝
I feel like you do, I'm 65 so didn't really get into it until the late 60's, but when I heard Disturbed version I felt it in my soul, and my eyes tear everytime I hear it.
I find myself intrigued by the idea that he didn't "have to" add the grit, and that his voice had the necessary expertise to communicate the feeling by sheer vocal power. I have to wonder what alternate interpretation that might have brought. But, still....this cover has continued to give me chills and put tears in my eyes ever since the first time I heard it, probably some six years ago. I feel that the grit is a necessary part of building the frustration and anger in the song, and bringing it to that ultimate drop into peace, as the hope of unity emerges. I can't imagine it differently.
The growl is not necessary for almost any artist, but its Disturbed’s signature stamp. That’s the part of the song when you stand up and just scream and let all the emotions out. The Disturbed way.🔥
I don't think there is a better way to "compare" both versions. I loved the original, it's a classic. I grew up listening to disturbed, one of my favorite bands to date. That being said, I was a little nervous that they were doing this because it was so different from their typical music. They've attempted ballads before, and David has even said he was a bit leary to do another one because fans didn't take to it very well. But listening to their version, I got chills, I still do every time I hear it. Probably gonna get hated on for this, but I honestly prefer Disturbed's version, simply because it truly does make you feel. And I love the "gruff". Was it technically necessary, no, the song would still be beautiful without it. But it helped convey the emotion and power behind the words. Not only that, but that holds true to their style, their music.
“The gruff” , to me , shows the anger and frustration he is feeling because no one is listening to the warnings. It makes the song so much more emotional and powerful in my opinion.
same. it's an expression of rage, people are worshiping their "neon gods" for S&G it was maybe TVs, updated perhaps, phones. it's all here for you if you open your eyes and ears
I’m a classically trained mezzo and I absolutely love Draiman’s voice. He has such a rich and powerful baritone sound. But even as a classical musician I’m going to agree to disagree about the vocal fry or growl. That IS Draiman’s sound, its signature! Not only that, but he really shows his frustration and anger with the “silence” when he does that. It’s an appropriate artistic choice in my opinion. Sometimes the lack of perfect technique in exchange for raw emotion is so much better! You feel this song. I get chills every time I hear it! Listen to him sing A Reason to Fight.
He is also a classically trained vocalist! He got tired of people saying that he just yelled in his music! He could actually perform in their opera house ! Narrow minded people just tick me off. I appreciate your response!!!!!
He was a Cantor that was in Israel for a few years singing the Torah. If you search some of his interviews he is so down to earth and speaks out about mental health
The scratch and gruff in his voice at the end was to express rage, not just power. I heard a quote a couple of hours ago about the song that just FLOORED me with how profound it was. "Art Garfunkel with a voice of an Angel sang a song of what people were doing to each other, David Draiman with the voice of an Avenging Angel with sword held high and eyes filled with fire sang a song of what people had done to each other. Both versions with the same words, but both with different meanings"
Yeah, I always translate the versions as Simon and Garfunkel singing a warning in hope of a better future. Disburbed version is anger that the warning ignored.
I'm glad you brought Draiman's vocal training started at that Cantors school. Also of note, once Paul Simon heard this version he told Draiman that he now owned the song for how much feeling it brought to the lyrics. This guy doesn't get the gut feeling Draiman brought to the fore.
I saw a comment on another video that said when David Draimen was born, God asked him if he wanted the voice of an angel or a demon. He said yes. So far this is the best description I have ever seen of David's amazing vocal range.
As was once read, I now reiterate: “Garfunkel’s version represents a warning, while Disturbed’s version represents rage since the warning was ignored.”
Oh yeh! Very powerful on a more emotional level which people seem to be acting on nowadays. We were much more thoughtful back then. Now we are much more feeling, which I'm not sure is a good state to be in considering the crap the world is in.
Not "reciprocate". You mean "reiterate". You are telling again what was said. To reciprocate would be to respond. You are not responding but, telling us what was already spoken or written.
Very beautifully said. I didn't know at all that Disturbed made a cover, and for sure this isn't what I would have expected, but yeah with a song like this you don't just make it metal, it has so much meaning. I never thought I would have liked anyone doing a cover because the original always brings tears to my eye, but this... I might be just taken by the moment, but it might be even better, because of that disappointed rage, it's even more devastating, holy shit... The visual too is utterly heartbreaking, I am seriously in awe.
I think the Simon and Garfunkel was a warning to people to listen and wake up, the Disturbed version is Angry because nobody listened. This version of the song is powerful and empowering
Simon refers to darkness as being his "old friend" that he came to talk with because he was awoken in the middle of the night, of a nightmare that still lingers in his head, that gives his a considerable amount of distress. So bad that the awful visions were still flashing before his eyes as he is awake. Second stanza begins setting the scene in which the dream took place: at night, him walking along the cobblestone road where he stops below the light of a streetlight. The cold chill runs up his back, so he lifts his collar to the "cold and damp." Just then, a blight neon sign lit up, showing that he, in fact, was not alone. But there were "ten thousand maybe more" all gathered in the cold night. The people who are talking, not speaking, are politicians, who are using false words to sway the population to vote for them, never revealing true intentions. The people therefore are hearing are not listening. They are taking these words that are spoken to them in plain value, not examining or putting into depth anything that is said. Because of this, as referred to later, these politicians have formed a government that the people in fact voted for and supported until it began to act as a dictatorship. This seems that Simon is making an inditement to a large government that has taken away the freedoms of its people. A future for America it seemed with the rise of government in world affairs as in entered Vietnam. This "future America" has given Americans everything, and has the power the take it all away, hence the people "bow and pray to the neon god they made." The Silence that is referred to is the silence of the people, afraid to say anything against the government for fear of death or worse. Simon, or whoever has had this dream, tries to bring people to speak out. Saying "Fools, you do not know, Silence like a cancer grows" that as more are afraid to speak, the more control the government takes and the less anyone will stand up to the new government. As all hope is about to be given up, someone steps up and says to the crowd that the future they will hold has been written on the walls of subways and tenement halls. This is because this form of protest can be done anonymously, therefore no one can get in trouble for it. This begins the whispering in the silence of the people, and starts the beginning of a revolt.
My younger brother insisted I listen to this version by Disturbed. The gruff on the end was needed to deliver this song without losing the integrity of this singer who is heavy metal. My brother passed away in April 2021 and I am so glad we listened to this song together. I miss you bro. I still get chills every time I hear this song delivered with power, strength and truth.
awesome memory to share with your brother, a song that is spectacular that you would not think would be so! A space you can always go back to when you need to connect to him, cuz he will be there with the same intensity of this song. There was a reason for him to share this song with you before he was gone. Embrace it!
Very powerful ! The best I've ever heard. He's grounded and has mastered his energy. Thank you for creating this. I listen to it often and love the video!!
They DID NOT. They placed up the video but they did not "give him the song" Trent Reznor did that for Johnny Cash. Quit spewing crap you don't know anything about - it's disinformation.
Saw Disturbed in Syracuse NY last month and you could hear a pin drop while they did this song. Just an amazing performer. My first introduction to Disturbed was trying to sing Down with the sickness in Rock Band. My daughters thought they were being slick, bragging how they can easily play guitar on hard mode. And they could, until they tried the guitar solo in Free Bird. Don’t mess with mama kids.
Agree that gruff adds to the anguish and anger that nearly 60 years after the song was written people are still not listening are we are moving further apart and not coming together
David Draiman trained as a cantor which explains, in part, his range. No falsetto for this man! I think the gruffness in his voice is perfect. It demonstrates his rage. The soft finish of the last words, I think, communicates his grief.
There is a comment from one of the very 1st reviews that goes along these lines... _"the original version was a warning, the Disturbed version is rage that the warning has gone unheeded..."_
i love to sing this song. and it is a warning... "bowed and prayed, to the neon god they made" > subway walls and tenement halls. and now we look around and what do we see.... air ports, subways, buses, bill boards, cell phones..... millions praying to neon gods..... and dieing morals.... creativity is also decaying. when you look at music threw the ages. (rap is not music any more)
@@davidcoombes3146 I agree totally. It is rare for me to like any cover over the original, but this one is perfect. I could have this on loop for hours on end and it never gets old.
The grit of his voice truly expressed the anger that the original lacked. I was born in 73 and Disturbed's version resignates far more than the original
@@Psycorde there is nothing wrong with valid emotions...anger being one of them. Look at the social and economic disparities and injustices in the United States alone let alone a vast number of nations. Anger can lead to much needed change when channeled properly.
This song preformed by Disturbed. Hit me in the heart hard. Our son was killed by a Drunk Driver leaving a concert. This was to me the path he was forced to take on that deadly night. I reached out to the management & the band DISTURBED. They were having a concert on the venue where our son was killed. I asked them to dedicate this song to our son Michael. God bless this band. They dedicated the Sound of Silence on stage to him. I'm forever grateful to them. 💜🙏💜th-cam.com/video/ieunaIrwHm0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_OmBZyC70ZMlgJl3
God bless. It’s something that no parent can recover from. It was kind of David to listen to you and honor your request. I do believe he had studied to be a rabbi or a cantor so it would be in his nature. I hope it have you some solace
Sorry to hear this. No one should have to go throught such a loss. I just hope you're now as good as you can be. Know that from a place far away, a guy you never met, just wishes you and your family well.
To a lot of us, Disturbed's take on this song is a (rightfully) angry cry that we haven't heeded Paul's warning when he told us about the Sound of Silence, the first time.
Fun fact: David Draiman (the vocalist of Disturbed) highly wanted to make this cover for a long time - and you can hear it by the way he's singing it, right from the soul. Now it became one of the most iconic songs of this band - and even the world of the music industry.
The singer, David Draiman, uses his vocal fry to elicit an underlying emotion: frustration, rage, grief. As stated, its a signature sound, and he has such fine control of the when, where, and intensity of it! The entire band are contributors to each song, and cover, keeping true to the original intent, but reinterpreting and arranging it to not only fit their style, but to also make it contemporary and fit current social moods. I am a fan of S&G original, but Disturbeds cover has well earned a place as one of my very favorite songs ever.
david “the lead singer” said he loved this song growing up and that he sang this from a perspective of anger at society ignoring the warning from the original, paul simon said he cried when disturbed performed this on the conan show with an orchestra and that he called david that night and told him “that is now ur song more than mine”... the conan version is on utube
This gave me goose bumps to read your reply after I posted a comment. I t shows me that I don't need to "know" the ins and outs of music I need to FEEL IT.
I actually love the love the live performance on Conan. It's my absolute favorite version. I love love love love it. I love this one too don't get me wrong. Oh and I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't get David and/ or his voice and doesn't pay attention to what the original singer has to say either. Just my opinion tho
Yes not quite as long as you have been listening but I had listened to it a lot, I have a very wide varied taste in music and had already heard a lot of disturbed stuff and enjoy it, same with Simon and Garfunkel I never really knew the song or the lyrics as clearly as I do now
I heard this in my car driving home one day many years ago. It was a random ride home from work and I don’t even know what radio station I had on. I just could not get over this song. To this day quite possibly eight or nine years later, I still think this is maybe one of the best covers I’ve ever heard.I looked him up and it turns out he was a canter in a synagogue so he definitely has vocal skills. There’s a newer version out, which is a remix, which is also fantastic. It doesn’t give you the same feel as this version but it’s still incredible.
but the distortion on his voice at the end is the highlight of the whole piece and it transmit the message even more clearly than the original. Paul Simon himself said so too.
The gruff, is to me, the summit of this song, a power absolutely unstoppable. The emotion at that moment is incredibly strong, I've almost never felt as much emotion in a song. And I feel it every time I listen to this song. As a grown man, a fucking viking a lot of my friend would say with the way I look and act, I can't fucking stop that little tear to fall, it's impossible, I've tried many times, I just can't stop it. This song, is by far, the one who touched me the most by it's power and message.
That gruff anger and despair he voices at the height of this song is what I look forward to. I feel like screaming at the sheep walking to the cliff edge right now and he does it for me.
“The Gruff” is part of David’s identity as a vocalist. As a huge fan of the original myself, I have just this to say. Simon and Garfunkel sent the message, Disturbed delivered it!
For those interested, David Draiman was classically trained to be a what is known as a Chazzan/Cantor. He is one of the VERY FEW that does not need a voice modifying mic as this is his authentic vocal octo range. A Chazzan is a someone who leads the synagogue in worship in song and prayer. David (דוד דראמנ) even though was not raised in a particularly observant home, he was sent to a Orthodox yeshiva, and and where he originally thought he was going to have a rabbinic ordination.
I was thinking that when this guy first started started saying he could tell David's voice had a lot that was holding back. . I was thinking, you're in for a treat! Great cover!
@@robertgardner1561 Same here. Though, in a way I wish he'd done the live version that he sang while battling a cold/flu... It's a little better version, and a bit more like what we go through in the whole 'the show must go on' attitude! We aren't always at our best, and *never get a second take live! *not entirely true...I have done ONE show where the band wanted a do-over!*
It is said that when Paul Simon watched the performance on Conan he cried then called David Dramon and told him the song was now theirs. This is probably the only song where I absolutely love the cover much more than the original. Partly because this version has anger which is appropriate in these days.
The only other cover I can think of that was better than the original is Johnny Cash's 'Hurt' .. after hearing Cash's version, Trent Reznor said "That song isn't mine anymore."
That's ridiculous, Paul Simon never said anything of the sort. Simon praised David's performance on Conan via Facebook the following day but he did *not* cry and say "the song was now theirs". You're confusing what Nine Inch Nails lead singer Trent Reznor said about Johnny Cash's version of his song Hurt. When Reznor first watched the music video Cash did for Hurt Reznor was quoted as saying the following: "I pop the video in, and... wow. Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps... Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine any more." Paul Simon on the other hand is known to be extremely proprietary with his music. So while he did publicly state that he enjoyed Disturbed's cover of his song he didn't weep over it and he certainly didn't give it away either, metaphorically or otherwise.
The gruff is his voice, its part of how he gets their music across. Also, this is possibly the best cover of any song ever. When I was little, my much older brother used to play the original for me all the time, and I loved it. So when Disturbed covered it, I showed my brother, and it was like our roles were reversed in a way, me showing him something new to love.
David is the grandson of the Cantor of the Synagogue of Jerusalem. He was also in training/trained to be a Cantor. However, Disturbed is a Heavy Metal band. The growl is indicative of this style of music.
@@oscarwilde6649 i feel sorry for you if you really think that there's nothing other than physical matter. your life literally has no value, because if that's true nothing has any value. you can't just decide it does, because a thing can't decide it has value itself. not true value.
That's an odd criticism seeing as how the rasp added to his voice at the end is precisely the feature that drives everyone wild with awe and appreciation at the power of this cover. It surprises the listener in a way that makes one's heart beat faster. And that's the intended effect.
I actually love the roughness in his voice at that moment - it amplifies the passion and anguish. I love Simon & Garfunkel's version but this one blows me away every time I hear it. It's just so powerful and raw and immediate.
I'd listened to some of Disturbed's stuff but had no idea who this was when I heard it in the gym changing room all those years ago. I even had my earphones in my ears but the sound beckoned me and I had to stop my music to listen to it. It was sooooo good. I had to ask a woman next to me who it was. When she said it was Disturbed, I couldn't believe it was them. Instant classic in my eyes. I went out and immediately bought it. Best cover version I've ever heard. That song is as much theirs to me now as it ever was Simon and Garfunkel's. Though saying that, I'd only ever listened to their version because my Dad loved it. Disturbed have done some great covers.
Hey Bernice, I quite agree with you. I bought this when it first came out and it’s on at least one compilations of Simon & Garfunkel. When Disturbed’s version came out I was blown away. I’s great that Paul Simon loves it so much. Doug, I’m glad you finally heard this. I get a kick out of watching you discover my music, late 60s, the ever present “my” ‘70s and some 80s. All of the best. I’m still a Prog mainly listener but if it’s good, no matter what, I like it.
This song resonates every bit as well now, if not better than it did in the 60's. "...And the people bowed and prayed...to the neon god they made..." The neon god = TV, computer monitor, smartphone. The neon god has evolved unnervingly between then and now. Humans created this dizzying distraction and now can't shake it. Early on, the messages we received via TV were merely a pacifier for most everyone, to keep us quiet. Now, via computers, and phones in our hands 24/7, the messages we exchange are a loud and inescapable jumble of information and misinformation. All to the betterment of capitalism. Now, the "neon god" is the world's operating system.
Yeah, written and sung by a GENIUS, THENNNN, song punk gargles with gravel, takes the soul of a song, grinds it up in a garbage disposal and records it. Too bad Kids are used to hearing crap. This version is crap.
I'm so glad that you found Disturbed, and sharing with more. I have been a fan of theirs since their debut. I have always said David is one of those singers that could sing the phone book to me and I'd be happy. The day Sound of Silence came out I shared it, because I was a huge fan of the original. Someone commented that it wasn't a song that anyone should remake. I told them to listen, they didn't have to like it but it was that good. They came back and agreed because they had done such a fantastic job.
David Draiman's voice is one of the most beautiful, powerful voices I have ever heard. I don't generally like metal but I listen to Disturbed's music because of his voice. I love the growl in his voice.
The "gruff" in his voice is anger, speaking out to those who are silent. This version in today's times speaks to the removal of certain freedoms, the suppression and censoring of our ability to communicate through written words, news, video etc. The hordes of people in a distant land in the video holding the sheets of music in darkness, silence, suppression. A handful of brave people willing to enter and bring a "sound" to the people to hear their truth. Reminiscent of the original book "Fahrenheit 451" is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found. The singer in this version is screaming to the listener to pay attention, the silence (the meek acceptance) like a cancer grows. Pay attention fellow humans.
@@inkenhafner7187 Lol new to the discussion around this song? This is the common take on it. S&G's version is the warning; Disturbed's version is the anger from the warning being ignored.
You are right on the money, David's rendition is to make you understand what our country is falling into and warns us We must standup and fight this cancer..
Hey! Dave! What is even more impressive about this cover, is he did all the vocals in one take, with only the instrumental playing in his ears. I saw one of his interviews and he says he absolutely lost his mind, nearly brought him to tears being able to honor Simon & Garfunkel. Especially, considering Disturbed has created some completely different and equally compelling lyrical metal music art.
Thank you Simon & Garfunkel for writing one of the most epic songs of the 20th century...your exquisite harmonies gave it a heavenly and ethereal sound. Then along came David Draiman with a voice like whiskey and chocolate, and gave Sounds of Silence a gravitas like no one else ever will...this version is on steroids and pierces your heart right through middle. Incredibly moving, one of my all time favourites. Swoonworthy...!
'The Gruff' - is SO sexy. He needed to do it. It is a crescendo of sorts - I thought it was a passionate and contrasting sound which gave it the 'extra' that it has. I am no expert, not even half an expert, - this just gives me goosebumps right down to my spleen - the sound, the visuals, everything - perfectly as it is. :)
This version, blows me away everytime I listen to it and that's has been hundreds of times. I get in to a quiet room or my bedroom and listen to the silence. Thank you David for elevating a song to the stratosphere
Regarding your criticism of the vocal styling of the last verse: Musically speaking, I agree with you somewhat - mostly because I would love to hear David Draiman hit those notes with a clean voice. I think however that for the message of the song, the compression is warranted - maybe even needed. I have always felt that the original version of the song was a "warning" about the dangers of not communicating. This cover (imo) is more of an admonishment that the past warning wasn't heeded. The singer is somewhat "angry" that we didn't listen to the warning. In that respect, the vocal grit fits the vibe. Just a thought...
I agreed with that criticism the first time I heard it. I thought that the last verse was a little over the top. A perfect last verse would have been a mix between it and the second to last. It needed to be ramped up, but not to that extent, it seemed a little contrived. Still, an amazing performance.
When his voice all of a sudden EXPLODED it took my breath away. I've always been heavily drawn to TV shows, movies, and music that speaks truth, this rendition makes me cry, just look around you now, what do you see happening.
Yes,me too. That's what makes it so great. It envokes emotion unlike the original. Not that the original is not great but this is so captivating. I love it❤❤❤❤
Disturbe, did a great tribute to this song. I perceive a very intimate connection through the singer's voice, and the instrumentation, it reaches your soul, this is what I call a masterpiece.
It is, by far, my favorite version of this song. His power over his voice is breathtaking! The softness initially brings you in, intrigues, and then you are devoured completely by his strength. Magic of music by a masterful singer!
I was around when this first came out. It never impressed me much, and my feeling is that they made it pretty, and sad, and quiet. Then Disturbed comes along 50 years later and blows it out of the water. He made it real. It needs the anger he brings to it.
@Judy Thompson - me too! I never really cared for this tune back in the 60s. S&G were just too mellow for me. I like good rock, so I was stunned the first time I heard this. I couldn’t believe it was the same song because it has a whole different feel to it, a whole different meaning - the words to describe what David has done with this tune do not exist. To say it’s awesome or great, just isn’t good enough! I cried the second time I listened to it with ear buds turned all the way up 🎻🪘🎸. It was a true experience. I got chills.
The vocal range of lead singer David Draiman is what makes him such a dynamic singer. And I like how their take on this song is one of anger where as Simon and Garfunkel's take was more hopeful. Both takes fitted the era perfectly.
Better than the original because makes you feel his pain and angst about society and where we are headed if we dont change. Very powerful performance. Goosebumps every time i hear it. The vocal range, vocal control and technique and how it builds from the start of the song from sadness to rage brings out the original intent of the songwriter. This is how this song should be performed. He makes you feel every word and breaks that sound of silence with his thunderous and amazing vocals.
I agree with the previous guy - if the song itself is great, then so much credit must be given to the original artist that even the best covers are in a different category. For me, if you can take something from the music, go for it, whoever it is doing it.
Hahahahaha the original is nuts... this cover is the best there is but the original especially the last of the live concert speaks to the soul. Also there is a cover by the master of chants
"Does he got those notes?" Yes, yes he does. David was trained as hazzan (cantor). He's got the chops. As for the last verse, I'll just echo what others have said, I think the distortion is perfect. He's not warning people, he's screaming at them to start listening. Had he sung cleanly, I feel like that message of anger and frustration would've been lost, or at the very least muted. He drove home the emotion quite clearly by choosing to distort his voice.
Dude. I don't care if he was trained a hazzan. His vocals are auto tuned to fuck on certain places. It's like getting a medal for riding a gocart on a marathon.
The gruff style so defines the Disturbed sound. What you experienced was extraordinary multi vocal techniques, performed by an immensely talented professional. David Draimon is one of a kind and justly deserves acknowledgment for his performance. It was as incredibly beautiful as it was moving. Thank you Disturbed ❤
This man's voice is of another age... a Medieval bard or battle rouser, a town crier... He calls to the restless and the unfulfilled within us, a song of striving.
Wow, the grit in his voice at the end is literally the part that gives everyone except you goosebumps. I'm pretty sure David did it right, and the intense emotion to that part of the song somehow went unnoticed by you.
I thought the same thing. When he sang the part “ the people bowed and prayed” I fall out every single time and is by far the best part and immediately gives me chills. I was dumbfounded and a little angry knowing that is the part he disliked. Mind blown 🤯
Don't agree at all about the "gruff", that part is EPIC and gives me chills. His voice doesn't need to "soar" classically there , it's a choice to better express the intense emotion of the song.
I overheard earlier stuff by Disturbed as my son is a fan and honestly, I couldn’t turn it off quickly enough, totally unimpressed. Then I heard this track and was blown away, Draiman has a superb voice which I hadn’t appreciated. I now have both Sound of Silence and Land of Confusion on my playlist and am searching for more.
I've listened to Disturbed since 2000, & im convinced that David Draiman could sing anything! This is by far the greatest cover of this amazing song, & when Paul Simon says so, then that seals the deal! Draiman & Chester Bennington, the 2 men who could sing anything, no matter what!!
What a huge hole when Chester left us😢. This version of the song makes me sorrowful every time. Look for the 911 tribute with Disturbed and this song, very powerful, tears every time I watch it.
I'm old enough to remember when Simon and Garfunkel brought this out originally. When I heard this version, I was telling everyone, "This is it! This is the best!" My son in law said he almost fell over when I said that because Disturbed music is not exactly my style. But this is just amazing.
The grower in his voice is his touch in his music. He preformed this to prove to people that he could sing and wasn’t just a screaming machine. He is truly talented ❤❤
This song introduced me to Disturbed. I am a 76 year old grandma, and I fell deeply in love with this version. Yes....Intense and SO Powerful ! When it was written, I was in High School. When I was in High School...during my biology class, the office PA system interrupted class to tell us that president John Fitzgerald Kennedy had just been shot ...in Dallas. I Walked home that day .......................and life was never, ever the same again. Somehow, this version by Disturbed encapsulates ALL of that for me. And then I cry.
@sallyrutledge4726 Thank you Sally for sharing this fond memory...
I had just come home from school for lunch.🥹 My whole family sat around the television that weekend. Indeed. Never the same again!🥺
@@sallyrutledge4726 I was making cheeseburgers and milk shakes at my best friend’s house. Her mom
had just come home from the hospital.My son and friend were about to eat when her mom yelled from the
living room president Kennedy has been shot.No one ate but my 7 year old son, WE WERE devastated.😰
This song speaks volumes “ People talking without speaking”..that’s the way it was the day president
Kennedy was shot.
I was 9yrs, old and living in Regensburg, Germany. Our family was stationed there because my father was in the Army. I remember eating Campbell's bean soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. My mom was ironing clothes and yelled so loud I thought she had burnt herself with the iron. Finding out that President Kennedy was killed was horrible. I'll never forget that day. 😢 Greetings from Lake Arrowhead. 💜🦝
Wow what a beautiful story
I feel like you do, I'm 65 so didn't really get into it until the late 60's, but when I heard Disturbed version I felt it in my soul, and my eyes tear everytime I hear it.
The growl in his voice is what makes this version so powerful
I find myself intrigued by the idea that he didn't "have to" add the grit, and that his voice had the necessary expertise to communicate the feeling by sheer vocal power. I have to wonder what alternate interpretation that might have brought. But, still....this cover has continued to give me chills and put tears in my eyes ever since the first time I heard it, probably some six years ago. I feel that the grit is a necessary part of building the frustration and anger in the song, and bringing it to that ultimate drop into peace, as the hope of unity emerges. I can't imagine it differently.
The growl? He doesn't growl in this, at all lol
It's not really a growl) it's grit and rasp.
Growl, grit, rasp, call it what you wish, but it brought the emotion to life in the song.
@@jameskratzer2014 surely did
The growl is not necessary for almost any artist, but its Disturbed’s signature stamp. That’s the part of the song when you stand up and just scream and let all the emotions out. The Disturbed way.🔥
Agreed. He had to add their sound to make it their own.
I completely agree!
Yessssssss
I love the growl❤
If he had just looked at Disturbed wiki page genre: HEAVY METAL
I listen to this song about 2-3 times a day. I’m addicted to this rendition 🎵🎼🎶❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰👍🏼👍🏼
Me too 😂❤
Me too - it is SO addictive…
Me too ! I can't go a day without listening to it ❤ & I even set my alarm to this song sometimes 😂
Just incredible isn't it
Me too
As an ordinary fan of good music, The Simon and Garfunkel version makes you think. The Disturbed version make you feel.
Nice put
I love the way you put this. I love both versions of the song but they’re just such different songs
Profound...
I don't think there is a better way to "compare" both versions. I loved the original, it's a classic. I grew up listening to disturbed, one of my favorite bands to date. That being said, I was a little nervous that they were doing this because it was so different from their typical music. They've attempted ballads before, and David has even said he was a bit leary to do another one because fans didn't take to it very well. But listening to their version, I got chills, I still do every time I hear it. Probably gonna get hated on for this, but I honestly prefer Disturbed's version, simply because it truly does make you feel. And I love the "gruff". Was it technically necessary, no, the song would still be beautiful without it. But it helped convey the emotion and power behind the words. Not only that, but that holds true to their style, their music.
Well said
“The gruff” , to me , shows the anger and frustration he is feeling because no one is listening to the warnings. It makes the song so much more emotional and powerful in my opinion.
I agree
I agree!
same. it's an expression of rage, people are worshiping their "neon gods" for S&G it was maybe TVs, updated perhaps, phones. it's all here for you if you open your eyes and ears
I agree 100 % . Also it is so sexy !
and that's why this guy isn't a metal singer
David's phenomenal voice and delivery has connected with a new generation.
I’m a classically trained mezzo and I absolutely love Draiman’s voice. He has such a rich and powerful baritone sound. But even as a classical musician I’m going to agree to disagree about the vocal fry or growl. That IS Draiman’s sound, its signature! Not only that, but he really shows his frustration and anger with the “silence” when he does that. It’s an appropriate artistic choice in my opinion. Sometimes the lack of perfect technique in exchange for raw emotion is so much better! You feel this song. I get chills every time I hear it! Listen to him sing A Reason to Fight.
Wasn’t he a trained “Cantor”?
Thats exactly what i thought. That the so called "graff" is him :)
He is also a classically trained vocalist! He got tired of people saying that he just yelled in his music! He could actually perform in their opera house ! Narrow minded people just tick me off. I appreciate your response!!!!!
He was a Cantor that was in Israel for a few years singing the Torah. If you search some of his interviews he is so down to earth and speaks out about mental health
That's the part of the song that gives the goosebumps!
The scratch and gruff in his voice at the end was to express rage, not just power. I heard a quote a couple of hours ago about the song that just FLOORED me with how profound it was. "Art Garfunkel with a voice of an Angel sang a song of what people were doing to each other, David Draiman with the voice of an Avenging Angel with sword held high and eyes filled with fire sang a song of what people had done to each other. Both versions with the same words, but both with different meanings"
AMEN ✊🏼❗❗
Very well said !
Yeah, I always translate the versions as Simon and Garfunkel singing a warning in hope of a better future. Disburbed version is anger that the warning ignored.
ISRAEL / GAZA VS 1960's PROTESTS WERE FOR PEACE NOT MUTUAL ANNIHILATION OF LIFE & SUSTENANCE FOR ALL. HOW SICK IS THIS WHOLE DAMNED EARTH? TELL ME!
Seen this comment on EVERY. SINGLE. VIDEO. OF. THIS. COVER. Geez, come up with something of your own@@GamerFlair
Remember it is a cover done by a metal group. His growl is part of their identification. He was training as a Cantor. He gives me goosebumps.
I'm glad you brought Draiman's vocal training started at that Cantors school. Also of note, once Paul Simon heard this version he told Draiman that he now owned the song for how much feeling it brought to the lyrics.
This guy doesn't get the gut feeling Draiman brought to the fore.
I saw a comment on another video that said when David Draimen was born, God asked him if he wanted the voice of an angel or a demon. He said yes. So far this is the best description I have ever seen of David's amazing vocal range.
@@KairiPrime, You nailed it!
For years now when I'm given my choice of two things I also answer, "Yes!"
I got goosebumps listening to it too.
As was once read, I now reiterate: “Garfunkel’s version represents a warning, while Disturbed’s version represents rage since the warning was ignored.”
Oh yeh! Very powerful on a more emotional level which people seem to be acting on nowadays. We were much more thoughtful back then. Now we are much more feeling, which I'm not sure is a good state to be in considering the crap the world is in.
Not "reciprocate". You mean "reiterate". You are telling again what was said.
To reciprocate would be to respond. You are not responding but, telling us what was already spoken or written.
How fitting…
@@RalphSampson... thanks! English is not my native language so always happy with the help.
Very beautifully said. I didn't know at all that Disturbed made a cover, and for sure this isn't what I would have expected, but yeah with a song like this you don't just make it metal, it has so much meaning. I never thought I would have liked anyone doing a cover because the original always brings tears to my eye, but this... I might be just taken by the moment, but it might be even better, because of that disappointed rage, it's even more devastating, holy shit... The visual too is utterly heartbreaking, I am seriously in awe.
In my opinion, this is the definitive version of the song. By far the most powerful delivery to date.
Not just you, Simon considers this the best version of the song IIRC.
@@akumaouja4062 I read that Paul Simon pt this version on his personal Facebook page.
I think the Simon and Garfunkel was a warning to people to listen and wake up, the Disturbed version is Angry because nobody listened. This version of the song is powerful and empowering
I agree with you this made me cry,I am 75 and know this song, and both versions are spot on
I agree. S & G's version gets the heart, but Disturbed's gets the soul.
Man, that is deep. Never thought of it that way until now.
David Draiman honoured the songwriter's of this masterpiece.
Simon refers to darkness as being his "old friend" that he came to talk with because he was awoken in the middle of the night, of a nightmare that still lingers in his head, that gives his a considerable amount of distress. So bad that the awful visions were still flashing before his eyes as he is awake.
Second stanza begins setting the scene in which the dream took place: at night, him walking along the cobblestone road where he stops below the light of a streetlight. The cold chill runs up his back, so he lifts his collar to the "cold and damp." Just then, a blight neon sign lit up, showing that he, in fact, was not alone. But there were "ten thousand maybe more" all gathered in the cold night. The people who are talking, not speaking, are politicians, who are using false words to sway the population to vote for them, never revealing true intentions. The people therefore are hearing are not listening.
They are taking these words that are spoken to them in plain value, not examining or putting into depth anything that is said. Because of this, as referred to later, these politicians have formed a government that the people in fact voted for and supported until it began to act as a dictatorship. This seems that Simon is making an inditement to a large government that has taken away the freedoms of its people. A future for America it seemed with the rise of government in world affairs as in entered Vietnam. This "future America" has given Americans everything, and has the power the take it all away, hence the people "bow and pray to the neon god they made."
The Silence that is referred to is the silence of the people, afraid to say anything against the government for fear of death or worse. Simon, or whoever has had this dream, tries to bring people to speak out. Saying "Fools, you do not know, Silence like a cancer grows" that as more are afraid to speak, the more control the government takes and the less anyone will stand up to the new government.
As all hope is about to be given up, someone steps up and says to the crowd that the future they will hold has been written on the walls of subways and tenement halls. This is because this form of protest can be done anonymously, therefore no one can get in trouble for it. This begins the whispering in the silence of the people, and starts the beginning of a revolt.
He went gruff because it is Disturbed. That is one of his keys. He sang it beautifully, and added a little taste of the band's actual sound.
This. He added it because that is the band’s sound. It adds emotion to a song that so many do more vanilla, so to speak. It’s amazing.
Second seconding.
I adore the growl.
exactly. he had to give it the flavor. he wasn't trying to emulate he was honoring and adding their flavor
Ohhh waaahh ahhh ahhh ah
Absolutely mind blowing. I never get tired of listening to this by Disturbed!!!!
I don’t give an F what anyone says! This is the BEST version of this song! David’s vocal captures every emotion of this song!
I never liked the Sim & Garf version. But I do so love this one
It is horrible, I opened this video hoping that the "composer" would bash it relentlessly
damn straight
Well simon and garfunkel, when they heard this version, they told David it wasn't their song anymore.
@@pnut3844able they were just trying to be nice
Simon and Garfunkel's version is a protest. David's version is the rage that you didn't listen.
Well said.
Wow , very poetic 🙏🇺🇸
Pentatonix is the hope we still can learn
Nailed it. I have said the same thing on other people's reaction to this song.
I love your comment.. smart person
My younger brother insisted I listen to this version by Disturbed. The gruff on the end was needed to deliver this song without losing the integrity of this singer who is heavy metal. My brother passed away in April 2021 and I am so glad we listened to this song together. I miss you bro. I still get chills every time I hear this song
delivered with power, strength and truth.
Sorry for your loss. We lost our son at the end of March this year. The darkness of this video speaks to me.
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this memory. Peace to you.
Blessings and prayers! May your brother memory live strong within you 🙏❤️🕯🕊
@@annsmith6209 oh sweet mama, heartbreaking, from one parent to another I have no words only love and hugs, God bless you and bring you peace
awesome memory to share with your brother, a song that is spectacular that you would not think would be so! A space you can always go back to when you need to connect to him, cuz he will be there with the same intensity of this song. There was a reason for him to share this song with you before he was gone. Embrace it!
Very powerful ! The best I've ever heard. He's grounded and has mastered his energy. Thank you for creating this. I listen to it often and love the video!!
The rasp of his voice is one of the signatures of his vocals in the band. It shows his range, that he can sing beautifully & harsh. Its amazing.
I’m glad someone recognizes this
Yes…he’s with his band at that moment.
I saw him sing this live. No one made a sound, and when he finished everyone had tears in their eyes. Simon and Garfunkel gave the song to dave
They DID NOT. They placed up the video but they did not "give him the song" Trent Reznor did that for Johnny Cash. Quit spewing crap you don't know anything about - it's disinformation.
Saw Disturbed in Syracuse NY last month and you could hear a pin drop while they did this song. Just an amazing performer. My first introduction to Disturbed was trying to sing Down with the sickness in Rock Band. My daughters thought they were being slick, bragging how they can easily play guitar on hard mode. And they could, until they tried the guitar solo in Free Bird. Don’t mess with mama kids.
Oh wow, I really want to see them perform this live.
@@Yaskoland you won’t be disappointed
Gives me chills and makes me tear up every time I hear it.
Omg The gruff makes the song!!!! That's literally the moment that triggers the goosebumps and makes you go oomph!
Agree that gruff adds to the anguish and anger that nearly 60 years after the song was written people are still not listening are we are moving further apart and not coming together
Totally got goosebumps
You said it like i wanted to, but you did it in a more polite way 😂🤘🤘🤘🤘
Spot on.
Exactly! 👍
Disturbed made a wonderful song perfect. Nothing more to say !
Period!!!
David Draiman trained as a cantor which explains, in part, his range. No falsetto for this man! I think the gruffness in his voice is perfect. It demonstrates his rage. The soft finish of the last words, I think, communicates his grief.
Agree 100%
I want to marry him and serve him! OMG he is amazing. Paul Simon is proud of David.
My son sounds like Johnny Cash. I know he could this rendition.
adding that gruff at the end also puts Disturbed's iconic iimprint on the song making it theirs, just a little bit.
He can easily turn it off and on, as he showed. It's their take on it.
He is a heavy metal singer
There is a comment from one of the very 1st reviews that goes along these lines...
_"the original version was a warning, the Disturbed version is rage that the warning has gone unheeded..."_
I feel this. Thanks for sharing.
Steve lucero: great observation. By the way Draiman was classical trained and it shows. James C.
i love to sing this song. and it is a warning... "bowed and prayed, to the neon god they made" > subway walls and tenement halls. and now we look around and what do we see.... air ports, subways, buses, bill boards, cell phones..... millions praying to neon gods..... and dieing morals.... creativity is also decaying. when you look at music threw the ages. (rap is not music any more)
That comment is spot on, it's the best cover ever of any song for me.
@@davidcoombes3146 I agree totally. It is rare for me to like any cover over the original, but this one is perfect. I could have this on loop for hours on end and it never gets old.
The grit of his voice truly expressed the anger that the original lacked. I was born in 73 and Disturbed's version resignates far more than the original
People sure love being angry these days. Only drives us further apart. Being reasonable is not easy.
@@Psycorde it's not driving people apart, but a response to the fact that we did not listen to the implicit warning contained in the original.
Virginia Jayne..excellent reply...thx !!
@@Psycorde there is nothing wrong with valid emotions...anger being one of them. Look at the social and economic disparities and injustices in the United States alone let alone a vast number of nations. Anger can lead to much needed change when channeled properly.
I much prefer the original version. This sounds like a show off of the singers vocal ability but doesn’t really reach any great heights.
This song preformed by Disturbed. Hit me in the heart hard. Our son was killed by a Drunk Driver leaving a concert. This was to me the path he was forced to take on that deadly night. I reached out to the management & the band DISTURBED. They were having a concert on the venue where our son was killed. I asked them to dedicate this song to our son Michael. God bless this band. They dedicated the Sound of Silence on stage to him. I'm forever grateful to them. 💜🙏💜th-cam.com/video/ieunaIrwHm0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_OmBZyC70ZMlgJl3
Wow, that’s cool! Good on them. RIP.
Hard to read this post with a dry eye. Very moving song for a very moving reason.
God bless. It’s something that no parent can recover from. It was kind of David to listen to you and honor your request. I do believe he had studied to be a rabbi or a cantor so it would be in his nature. I hope it have you some solace
Sorry to hear this. No one should have to go throught such a loss. I just hope you're now as good as you can be. Know that from a place far away, a guy you never met, just wishes you and your family well.
Wow
Tears
I love this man singing this song. So powerful.
To a lot of us, Disturbed's take on this song is a (rightfully) angry cry that we haven't heeded Paul's warning when he told us about the Sound of Silence, the first time.
I agree.
word..
What warning
Goosebumps every time I hear this masterpiece.
David Damien has 5 octaves. He was trained professionally. The Sound of Silence is brilliantly sung & orchestrated.
hmmmm...prove that.
Saw an interview with David about this song not only is he professionally trained hea classically trained
He doesn't just have 5 octaves. He has something like 12 voices across those 5 octaves. lol
Fun fact: David Draiman (the vocalist of Disturbed) highly wanted to make this cover for a long time - and you can hear it by the way he's singing it, right from the soul. Now it became one of the most iconic songs of this band - and even the world of the music industry.
How many have watched the couple from France ice skate to this version. It’s a killer combo.
The singer, David Draiman, uses his vocal fry to elicit an underlying emotion: frustration, rage, grief. As stated, its a signature sound, and he has such fine control of the when, where, and intensity of it! The entire band are contributors to each song, and cover, keeping true to the original intent, but reinterpreting and arranging it to not only fit their style, but to also make it contemporary and fit current social moods.
I am a fan of S&G original, but Disturbeds cover has well earned a place as one of my very favorite songs ever.
david “the lead singer” said he loved this song growing up and that he sang this from a perspective of anger at society ignoring the warning from the original, paul simon said he cried when disturbed performed this on the conan show with an orchestra and that he called david that night and told him “that is now ur song more than mine”... the conan version is on utube
This gave me goose bumps to read your reply after I posted a comment. I t shows me that I don't need to "know" the ins and outs of music I need to FEEL IT.
@@dutchgram3799 i agree
I think that performance is even better than this video.
Now that's connection as pure as it gets.
I actually love the love the live performance on Conan. It's my absolute favorite version. I love love love love it. I love this one too don't get me wrong. Oh and I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't get David and/ or his voice and doesn't pay attention to what the original singer has to say either. Just my opinion tho
This is the ONLY cover that Paul Simon has ever endorsed.
THIS
first time i've seen a bot on yt, let alone two 😂
says a lot for the quality of the song
I’ve never heard a cover messed up by Disturbed.
Paul Simon is a douche...
I'm 66 years old. I remember when this song first came out. I heard it several times, but I never listened until David sang it.
Hearing without listening... your comment just gave me chills, Mr. Dunbar.
@@danceswithmules where I come from, Delores is traditionally a female name. So, she’s probably not a sir.
@@guslulou8428 Lol. Right you are, but I don't mind. Could be a typo error.
Yes not quite as long as you have been listening but I had listened to it a lot, I have a very wide varied taste in music and had already heard a lot of disturbed stuff and enjoy it, same with Simon and Garfunkel I never really knew the song or the lyrics as clearly as I do now
Same with me, Delores. I am 69.
I heard this in my car driving home one day many years ago. It was a random ride home from work and I don’t even know what radio station I had on. I just could not get over this song. To this day quite possibly eight or nine years later, I still think this is maybe one of the best covers I’ve ever heard.I looked him up and it turns out he was a canter in a synagogue so he definitely has vocal skills. There’s a newer version out, which is a remix, which is also fantastic. It doesn’t give you the same feel as this version but it’s still incredible.
This is my favorite version of any song ever! I get chills every time I hear it. What a great, great voice!
The one thing you didn't like about his vocal performance is literally what everybody else loves about it. Different strokes.
Hell Yeah ❤
I totally agree The vocal fry is absolutely necessary to convey the anger and frustration.
Yeah. It's not just about vocal ability and technique, it's about the emotion and how he's portraying it.
For different folks…
Absolutely. If he hadn't added that, I wouldn't have liked this version even near as much as I do.
but the distortion on his voice at the end is the highlight of the whole piece and it transmit the message even more clearly than the original. Paul Simon himself said so too.
Your analogy of the lyrics is a direct commentary still today in 2024 with the strife on this planet.
The gruff, is to me, the summit of this song, a power absolutely unstoppable. The emotion at that moment is incredibly strong, I've almost never felt as much emotion in a song. And I feel it every time I listen to this song. As a grown man, a fucking viking a lot of my friend would say with the way I look and act, I can't fucking stop that little tear to fall, it's impossible, I've tried many times, I just can't stop it. This song, is by far, the one who touched me the most by it's power and message.
That gruff anger and despair he voices at the height of this song is what I look forward to. I feel like screaming at the sheep walking to the cliff edge right now and he does it for me.
“The Gruff” is part of David’s identity as a vocalist. As a huge fan of the original myself, I have just this to say.
Simon and Garfunkel sent the message, Disturbed delivered it!
I've said Simon and Garfunkel gave us the message, but Disturbed gave us (it) soul.
Simon and Garfunkel laid the nail, Disturbed smacked it away and used a screw.
Well put! They certainly did deliver/
The Gruff added power to the song at the end imo
the Disturbed version shakes me up , every cell respondes. It is primative, spiritual and commanding.
I couldn't agree more
For those interested, David Draiman was classically trained to be a what is known as a Chazzan/Cantor. He is one of the VERY FEW that does not need a voice modifying mic as this is his authentic vocal octo range.
A Chazzan is a someone who leads the synagogue in worship in song and prayer.
David (דוד דראמנ) even though was not raised in a particularly observant home, he was sent to a Orthodox yeshiva, and and where he originally thought he was going to have a rabbinic ordination.
his voice makes so much more sense now, it a stunning voice it kind of echo's through you
Very interesting information.
Yep. He was trained to be a Cantor, then he was trained by an opera singer on how to do the gruff without hurting his voice.
His voice is extraordinary in this song, as well as so many others. His vocal talents elevate this song to the next incredible level.
he is amazing
When he asked, “Does he have the notes?” I thought to myself, oh this guy’s in for a treat!!!
“Does he have the notes?”......wait for it "smile"
Same!
I just went Oh Yeah
I was thinking that when this guy first started started saying he could tell David's voice had a lot that was holding back. . I was thinking, you're in for a treat! Great cover!
@@robertgardner1561 Same here. Though, in a way I wish he'd done the live version that he sang while battling a cold/flu... It's a little better version, and a bit more like what we go through in the whole 'the show must go on' attitude! We aren't always at our best, and *never get a second take live!
*not entirely true...I have done ONE show where the band wanted a do-over!*
I love the gruff he puts in it. There’s just something about it that makes his version so perfect to me.
Yeah, I think that Doug missed that it was an artistic choice to show the anger towards the situation
I believe the gruff is just the anger for the lack of humanity in today's world.
Yes, the gruff really added to this amazing rendition. I can’t stop listening to it.
It's called distortion, incidentally:)
@@DanKascheldistortion is anything not normal. "gruff" is more specific. Besides, no one came here for lessons.
David from Dusturbed has made a classic into an amazing version that now belongs to him... Love this ❤Nope the gruff in his voice really hits home..❤
It is said that when Paul Simon watched the performance on Conan he cried then called David Dramon and told him the song was now theirs. This is probably the only song where I absolutely love the cover much more than the original. Partly because this version has anger which is appropriate in these days.
Heart stairway to heaven at kennedy center, pink floyd stood and applauded heart. Moving video check it.out.
@@rt2255 Pink Floyd ?? or Led Zeppelin - who actually wrote and played the song and we’re being inducted into The Hall of Fame that night ?
The only other cover I can think of that was better than the original is Johnny Cash's 'Hurt' .. after hearing Cash's version, Trent Reznor said "That song isn't mine anymore."
That's ridiculous, Paul Simon never said anything of the sort. Simon praised David's performance on Conan via Facebook the following day but he did *not* cry and say "the song was now theirs". You're confusing what Nine Inch Nails lead singer Trent Reznor said about Johnny Cash's version of his song Hurt. When Reznor first watched the music video Cash did for Hurt Reznor was quoted as saying the following: "I pop the video in, and... wow. Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps... Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine any more." Paul Simon on the other hand is known to be extremely proprietary with his music. So while he did publicly state that he enjoyed Disturbed's cover of his song he didn't weep over it and he certainly didn't give it away either, metaphorically or otherwise.
The gruff is his voice, its part of how he gets their music across. Also, this is possibly the best cover of any song ever. When I was little, my much older brother used to play the original for me all the time, and I loved it. So when Disturbed covered it, I showed my brother, and it was like our roles were reversed in a way, me showing him something new to love.
For me, Johnny Cash doing "Hurt" just beats this.
If you want to hear a great cover, listen to John Farnham singing “HELP”
David is the grandson of the Cantor of the Synagogue of Jerusalem. He was also in training/trained to be a Cantor. However, Disturbed is a Heavy Metal band. The growl is indicative of this style of music.
The singer, David Draiman, was trained to be a cantor as he comes from a long line of cantors. The control over his voice is brilliant.
I have listened to this song, hundreds of times and it gives me chills and brings me to tears EVERY TIME!!!
Disturbed's cover of this song is, and will probably always remain, my absolute favorite cover of all time... Of any song! It resonates in my soul!
I am torn between this and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt.
this, all along the watchtower by hendrix, or johnny cash's hurt. three best covers i've ever heard.
💯🎯
There is no such thing as a "soul".
@@oscarwilde6649 i feel sorry for you if you really think that there's nothing other than physical matter. your life literally has no value, because if that's true nothing has any value. you can't just decide it does, because a thing can't decide it has value itself. not true value.
"does he have those notes?" Disturbed fans: hehehehehehe, just you wait......
The smirk that was on my face when he said that...........
ROTFL that was me and my boy just saying that and laughing!
exactly
Draiman has so much range! One of the greatest voices of our time for sure!
BIG FACTS!!!!!
Well, Disturbed is a metal band, so a little bit of distortion is basically a requirement....lol
Yes yes yes
He adds the fry to his voice at the end to convey the anger at the loss of communication.
Sooo true !!
Yup. And I believe it adds huge value to this song. It just grabs you and hits you with the message
only 14k subs and he doesnt seem to read or respond to anyone from what i've seen. so i doubt he will ever understand
I'm a 78 year old grandmother and I love it lol! It's bad and so beautiful!
The "gruff" in his voice is hands-down the best part of the song.
That's an odd criticism seeing as how the rasp added to his voice at the end is precisely the feature that drives everyone wild with awe and appreciation at the power of this cover. It surprises the listener in a way that makes one's heart beat faster. And that's the intended effect.
@Advanced Solutions beto is the shit.
YES!!!!
The anger and emotion in his voice is what makes this version so great.
The power in the vocals....
I cant listen to this without tears in my eyes
Same, I'm intending it this song to be played at my funeral!
I actually love the roughness in his voice at that moment - it amplifies the passion and anguish. I love Simon & Garfunkel's version but this one blows me away every time I hear it. It's just so powerful and raw and immediate.
No, he didn't NEED to, but he WANTED to and I LOVE IT.
I'd listened to some of Disturbed's stuff but had no idea who this was when I heard it in the gym changing room all those years ago. I even had my earphones in my ears but the sound beckoned me and I had to stop my music to listen to it. It was sooooo good. I had to ask a woman next to me who it was. When she said it was Disturbed, I couldn't believe it was them. Instant classic in my eyes. I went out and immediately bought it. Best cover version I've ever heard. That song is as much theirs to me now as it ever was Simon and Garfunkel's. Though saying that, I'd only ever listened to their version because my Dad loved it. Disturbed have done some great covers.
Simon and Garfunkle's version made me think, this version brought me to tears. The anger and frustration in his voice at the "gruff" part slays me.
My eyes always water up to this version.
Hey Bernice, I quite agree with you. I bought this when it first came out and it’s on at least one compilations of Simon & Garfunkel. When Disturbed’s version came out I was blown away. I’s great that Paul Simon loves it so much. Doug, I’m glad you finally heard this.
I get a kick out of watching you discover my music, late 60s, the ever present “my” ‘70s and some 80s. All of the best. I’m still a Prog mainly listener but if it’s good, no matter what, I like it.
It stops my breath. I just can’t listen to it enough.
I play this song on continuous repeat when I go to bed. The power in his voice is so emotional, it definitely resonates so beautifully
@@seagertblack every single listening.
This song resonates every bit as well now, if not better than it did in the 60's. "...And the people bowed and prayed...to the neon god they made..." The neon god = TV, computer monitor, smartphone. The neon god has evolved unnervingly between then and now. Humans created this dizzying distraction and now can't shake it. Early on, the messages we received via TV were merely a pacifier for most everyone, to keep us quiet. Now, via computers, and phones in our hands 24/7, the messages we exchange are a loud and inescapable jumble of information and misinformation. All to the betterment of capitalism. Now, the "neon god" is the world's operating system.
"Hello darkness my old friend", has got to be the most moving first line to any song ever.
Up there with "Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?"
Yeah, written and sung by a GENIUS, THENNNN, song punk gargles with gravel, takes the soul of a song, grinds it up in a garbage disposal and records it. Too bad Kids are used to hearing crap. This version is crap.
@@kentnottingham9635 I’m sure your version is so much better.
@@michaelfagan9620 Floyd much!
@@kentnottingham9635 Wow - can you give a link to your rendition of music - oh sorry can you give us a heads in the direction of humanity....
I'm so glad that you found Disturbed, and sharing with more. I have been a fan of theirs since their debut. I have always said David is one of those singers that could sing the phone book to me and I'd be happy. The day Sound of Silence came out I shared it, because I was a huge fan of the original. Someone commented that it wasn't a song that anyone should remake. I told them to listen, they didn't have to like it but it was that good. They came back and agreed because they had done such a fantastic job.
David Draiman's voice is one of the most beautiful, powerful voices I have ever heard. I don't generally like metal but I listen to Disturbed's music because of his voice. I love the growl in his voice.
The "gruff" in his voice is anger, speaking out to those who are silent. This version in today's times speaks to the removal of certain freedoms, the suppression and censoring of our ability to communicate through written words, news, video etc. The hordes of people in a distant land in the video holding the sheets of music in darkness, silence, suppression. A handful of brave people willing to enter and bring a "sound" to the people to hear their truth. Reminiscent of the original book "Fahrenheit 451" is a 1953 dystopian novel by American writer Ray Bradbury. Often regarded as one of his best works, the novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed and "firemen" burn any that are found.
The singer in this version is screaming to the listener to pay attention, the silence (the meek acceptance) like a cancer grows. Pay attention fellow humans.
Interesting. Forgot to take your meds?
@@inkenhafner7187 Lol new to the discussion around this song? This is the common take on it. S&G's version is the warning; Disturbed's version is the anger from the warning being ignored.
Interesting how you took a song about people not listening and turned it in to perceived censorship. Just gonna leave it at that.
You are right on the money, David's rendition is to make you understand what our country is falling into and warns us We must standup and fight this cancer..
I totally agree with you. They will keep it up until people take the mark of the beast.
Hey! Dave! What is even more impressive about this cover, is he did all the vocals in one take, with only the instrumental playing in his ears. I saw one of his interviews and he says he absolutely lost his mind, nearly brought him to tears being able to honor Simon & Garfunkel. Especially, considering Disturbed has created some completely different and equally compelling lyrical metal music art.
I love both great cover Simon and art amazing voices great version x
Thank you Simon & Garfunkel for writing one of the most epic songs of the 20th century...your exquisite harmonies gave it a heavenly and ethereal sound. Then along came David Draiman with a voice like whiskey and chocolate, and gave Sounds of Silence a gravitas like no one else ever will...this version is on steroids and pierces your heart right through middle. Incredibly moving, one of my all time favourites. Swoonworthy...!
Perfectly put. Thank you
Paul Simon wrote the songs Art Garfunkel sang fantastically on the songs.
Yes thank u Simon and Garfunkel for the many many wonderful songs you've given the world!!!
@zenobiapalmyra5670 Love your description. You are an amazing writer!
@@CaraHillVoiceoverArtist Thank you so much, that's very kind of you. Cheers from down under Australia 🇦🇺 and have a fabulous Christmas day 🎄 🍸🍸
no one will ever sing this song with the intensity David did never ever. What a beautiful voice DD has. He will forever own it.
'The Gruff' - is SO sexy. He needed to do it. It is a crescendo of sorts - I thought it was a passionate and contrasting sound which gave it the 'extra' that it has. I am no expert, not even half an expert, - this just gives me goosebumps right down to my spleen - the sound, the visuals, everything - perfectly as it is. :)
Spleen ey. ;)
Agreed! I live for the gruff.
Absolutely. You totally nailed it!
He brought a deep sense to the music with his raw singing and intensity! Great job. This can rip your heart out.
Oh my yes his voice is amazing
This version, blows me away everytime I listen to it and that's has been hundreds of times. I get in to a quiet room or my bedroom and listen to the silence. Thank you David for elevating a song to the stratosphere
Regarding your criticism of the vocal styling of the last verse: Musically speaking, I agree with you somewhat - mostly because I would love to hear David Draiman hit those notes with a clean voice. I think however that for the message of the song, the compression is warranted - maybe even needed. I have always felt that the original version of the song was a "warning" about the dangers of not communicating. This cover (imo) is more of an admonishment that the past warning wasn't heeded. The singer is somewhat "angry" that we didn't listen to the warning. In that respect, the vocal grit fits the vibe. Just a thought...
More or less exactly what Elizabeth Zharoff says in her review of this version of this song.
I would call it "barely-restrained rage" that the warning wasn't heeded.
@@BAAWAKnight Point.
Sigh
I agreed with that criticism the first time I heard it. I thought that the last verse was a little over the top. A perfect last verse would have been a mix between it and the second to last. It needed to be ramped up, but not to that extent, it seemed a little contrived. Still, an amazing performance.
When his voice all of a sudden EXPLODED it took my breath away.
I've always been heavily drawn to TV shows, movies, and music that speaks truth, this rendition makes me cry, just look around you now, what do you see happening.
I loved the original but disturbs version gave me goosebumps
I get you, also gives me goosebumps ❤
Gives me chills every time and also makes me cry!
Yes,me too. That's what makes it so great. It envokes emotion unlike the original. Not that the original is not great but this is so captivating. I love it❤❤❤❤
Disturbe, did a great tribute to this song. I perceive a very intimate connection through the singer's voice, and the instrumentation, it reaches your soul, this is what I call a masterpiece.
It is, by far, my favorite version of this song. His power over his voice is breathtaking! The softness initially brings you in, intrigues, and then you are devoured completely by his strength. Magic of music by a masterful singer!
The scratch in his voice on the last verse was purposeful to the the power of music and telling the story with whole vocal range
I feel the grit/growl in his voice conveys the incredible anger in that line. This song has so much feel.
I grew up with the original , love it, this is beautiful! I'm 63 I have not heard of this band, but I'm excited to be introduced. Great sound!
There is NO-ONE past present or future that can sing this song like him. I said what I said
I was around when this first came out. It never impressed me much, and my feeling is that they made it pretty, and sad, and quiet. Then Disturbed comes along 50 years later and blows it out of the water. He made it real. It needs the anger he brings to it.
@Judy Thompson - me too! I never really cared for this tune back in the 60s. S&G were just too mellow for me. I like good rock, so I was stunned the first time I heard this. I couldn’t believe it was the same song because it has a whole different feel to it, a whole different meaning - the words to describe what David has done with this tune do not exist. To say it’s awesome or great, just isn’t good enough! I cried the second time I listened to it with ear buds turned all the way up 🎻🪘🎸. It was a true experience. I got chills.
I loved Simon and Garfunkel’s song and rendition and I live this one too. Different times different generation
...yes - and it's as relevant as ever ... sadly :-/
ABSOLUTELY ON POINT!!! 🙌
Yes!
The vocal range of lead singer David Draiman is what makes him such a dynamic singer. And I like how their take on this song is one of anger where as Simon and Garfunkel's take was more hopeful. Both takes fitted the era perfectly.
Better than the original because makes you feel his pain and angst about society and where we are headed if we dont change. Very powerful performance. Goosebumps every time i hear it. The vocal range, vocal control and technique and how it builds from the start of the song from sadness to rage brings out the original intent of the songwriter. This is how this song should be performed. He makes you feel every word and breaks that sound of silence with his thunderous and amazing vocals.
I think the comparison is counterproductive, but this cover certainly adds meaningfully to a song which already carried an enormous amount of meaning.
I agree with the previous guy - if the song itself is great, then so much credit must be given to the original artist that even the best covers are in a different category.
For me, if you can take something from the music, go for it, whoever it is doing it.
Hahahahaha the original is nuts... this cover is the best there is but the original especially the last of the live concert speaks to the soul. Also there is a cover by the master of chants
One is not better than the other, just so different. Different eras of music.
Awsome love the song david has and is amazing❤❤ i listen all the time its on. Great david ❤❤
When I first heard disturbed sing this, it brought me to tears with how beautiful it was
I agree with you 100%, in fact over 5 years later, it still does.
Still does.
"Does he got those notes?" Yes, yes he does. David was trained as hazzan (cantor). He's got the chops.
As for the last verse, I'll just echo what others have said, I think the distortion is perfect. He's not warning people, he's screaming at them to start listening. Had he sung cleanly, I feel like that message of anger and frustration would've been lost, or at the very least muted. He drove home the emotion quite clearly by choosing to distort his voice.
Absolutely!!
Yes yes yes
Exactly!
Dude. I don't care if he was trained a hazzan. His vocals are auto tuned to fuck on certain places. It's like getting a medal for riding a gocart on a marathon.
@@spiderprint as far as him being autotune it was only on the the conan show and he was pissed about it
The gruff style so defines the Disturbed sound. What you experienced was extraordinary multi vocal techniques, performed by an immensely talented professional. David Draimon is one of a kind and justly deserves acknowledgment for his performance. It was as incredibly beautiful as it was moving. Thank you Disturbed ❤
This man's voice is of another age... a Medieval bard or battle rouser, a town crier... He calls to the restless and the unfulfilled within us, a song of striving.
I completely agree
Wow, the grit in his voice at the end is literally the part that gives everyone except you goosebumps. I'm pretty sure David did it right, and the intense emotion to that part of the song somehow went unnoticed by you.
Agreed. It gives it the Disturbed flare to it.
I agree with him.
YES. the grit gives it the anger. the song IS metal...and i dont even listen to metal lol
I thought the same thing. When he sang the part “ the people bowed and prayed” I fall out every single time and is by far the best part and immediately gives me chills. I was dumbfounded and a little angry knowing that is the part he disliked. Mind blown 🤯
The fry was perfect…
The raw 'gruff/scratch' to his magnificent voice towards the end of the song adds a whole different level to it...and makes it so good!
Don't agree at all about the "gruff", that part is EPIC and gives me chills. His voice doesn't need to "soar" classically there , it's a choice to better express the intense emotion of the song.
Precisely. It's what gives people a visceral reaction. When an artist's music does that, they've done their job well.
yeah..he is completely wrong on that..but tastes are tastes
@@ytusersumone opinions are like asses
@@JPVNG67 and yours needs a wiping
@@SoBilliards yeah and then u eat it
I overheard earlier stuff by Disturbed as my son is a fan and honestly, I couldn’t turn it off quickly enough, totally unimpressed. Then I heard this track and was blown away, Draiman has a superb voice which I hadn’t appreciated. I now have both Sound of Silence and Land of Confusion on my playlist and am searching for more.
I've listened to Disturbed since 2000, & im convinced that David Draiman could sing anything! This is by far the greatest cover of this amazing song, & when Paul Simon says so, then that seals the deal! Draiman & Chester Bennington, the 2 men who could sing anything, no matter what!!
And Ronnie Radke
What a huge hole when Chester left us😢. This version of the song makes me sorrowful every time. Look for the 911 tribute with Disturbed and this song, very powerful, tears every time I watch it.
I want this played at my funeral. My all time favorite song! Especially by disturbed
I want this played on my deathbed
Same!
This was played at a friend of mines funeral. He was a big Disturbed fan. It played with a slideshow of his life. ❤
On my list too.
Exactly what I was thinking
I'm old enough to remember when Simon and Garfunkel brought this out originally. When I heard this version, I was telling everyone, "This is it! This is the best!" My son in law said he almost fell over when I said that because Disturbed music is not exactly my style. But this is just amazing.
me too
Me too.
The grower in his voice is his touch in his music. He preformed this to prove to people that he could sing and wasn’t just a screaming machine. He is truly talented ❤❤
"Does he have the notes for this?"
_(laughing in uu-wa-a-a-ah)_
Nope, he shouldn't have tried to do it since his voice is too weak.
@@jamesmitchell6878 I think you are confused.
@@politereminder6284 not confused just honest.
@@politereminder6284 I'm not even a singer, and I could have done a better job.
@@jamesmitchell6878 Good for you.