1969 Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer (US:#7 UK:#6)
“The Boxer” is a song written by Paul Simon and recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was released as a standalone single on March 21, 1969, but included on the album nine months later (at the time, songs that had been released this far ahead were rarely included on the next studio album). The song is a folk rock ballad that variously takes the form of a first-person lament as well as a third-person sketch of a boxer. The lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible, and were written during a time when Simon felt he was being unfairly criticized. The song’s lyrics discuss poverty and loneliness. It is particularly known for its plaintive refrain, in which they sing ‘lie-la-lie’, accompanied by a heavily reverbed snare drum.
Album

Bridge Over Troubled Water is the fifth and final studio album by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released on January 26, 1970 on Columbia Records. Following the duo’s soundtrack for The Graduate, Art Garfunkel took an acting role in the film Catch-22, while Paul Simon worked on the songs, writing all tracks except […]
Musicians
Musicians in the tags above are confirmed. For more information click on the album.
Produced By
Art Garfunkel
Paul Simon
Roy Halee
Songwriters
Paul Simon
Charts
US:# 7
UK:# 6