“The Boxer” is arguably the ultimate Simon & Garfunkel track. The song exposes Paul Simon’s extraordinary songwriting abilities and the duo’s unique musical compatibility. “The Boxer” also marked the beginning of the end of Simon & Garfunkel. It was the first track they recorded for their controversial final studio album “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970). In this article, we will explore the story, meaning, and legacy behind the song!
The Story Behind the Song
“The Boxer’s” story started in early 1968, when director Mike Nichols invited Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel to play supporting roles in the movie “Catch-22”. The musical duo enthusiastically accepted the roles. Both for their own reasons: Simon wanted to broaden his image as an artist, while Garfunkel saw the opportunity to establish himself beyond Paul Simon’s shadow.
Simon was met with disappointment, however, when he heard his role had been scrapped from the movie. An arguably even bigger blow met him when Art Garfunkel decided to continue acting in “Catch-22”.
Amidst it all, music critics started to criticize Paul Simon. They argued he lacked folk authenticity, that his arrangements were too soft, and that he was too predictable as a songwriter.
Altogether, Simon felt betrayed and embittered. Emotions which he channeled into writing “The Boxer”. Simon wrote the song expeditiously, with help from the Bible.
“That’s where I think phrases such as ‘workman’s wages’ came from, and ‘seeking out the poorer quarters’. That was biblical.” Simon later recalled. “I think the song was about me: everybody’s beating me up, and I’m telling you now I’m going to go away if you don’t stop.”
The lie-la-lie chorus was initially used as a fill-in for later-to-be-written lyrics. But Simon decided to leave it as-is as he couldn’t come up with suitable words. Funnily enough, the lie-la-lie chorus became the most well-known part of “The Boxer”.
Paul Simon finished writing the song at the end of 1968. But the duo had difficulty recording the track. Since Garfunkel left for Mexico in January 1969 to record “Catch-22”, there wasn’t a lot of time at hand to record the song. As a result, the two recorded where and whenever they could. “It was recorded all over the place,” Simon told NME in 1969. “The basic tracks in Nashville, the end voices in St Paul’s Church, the strings in New York Columbia Studios, the voices there too, and the horns in the church.”
In March 1969 Art Garfunkel took a break from “Catch-22” to finish recording “The Boxer”. But even then he seemed to have other things on his mind. On a New York street corner, Garfunkel met Linda Grossman. To impress her Garfunkel invited Grossman to a recording session of “The Boxer”. The two fell in love and later married in 1972.
Read more: The 10 Best Simon & Garfunkel Songs of All Time
It eventually took over 100 studio hours to finish “The Boxer”. The song was released as a standalone single on March 21, 1969. It later appeared on Simon & Garfunkel’s last studio album “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.
The Meaning of The Boxer
Paul Simon wrote “The Boxer” about his struggles as a musician. The inspirations behind the song were Art Garfunkel’s abandonment and harsh music critics.
The first 4 verses autobiographically delve into loneliness, poverty, and non-belonging. In the last verse, Simon compares himself to a boxer. He desperately wants to get out of the fight, but remains in the ring. The boxer is a metaphor for Simon’s perseverance. He will remain despite the beatings he has taken.
Some people believed “The Boxer” was a dig at Bob Dylan. Dylan used to be an amateur boxer and the lie-la-lie chorus would refer to Dylan lying about his musical intentions. But the story isn’t true. Paul Simon later confirmed the song was autobiographical and Bob Dylan even covered the song on his “Self Portrait” album.
The Song’s Legacy
“The Boxer” was released as a single in march 1969. The song reached number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top 10 in twelve other countries.
The song has been covered by many artists. Most notably by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Neil Diamond.
Simon & Garfunkel included the song as a staple in their setlist ever since its release. Most famously during their concert in Central Park. Both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel play “The Boxer” during solo concerts too.
Interested in more stories behind Simon & Garfunkel songs? Click here
this song is very sad for me every time I hire and i play it all the time, I was raised in an orphanage where I was beaten almost every day and during 1 of those beatings I was knocked out, but I got up again and again and I refuse to let them break my spirit like ” the boxer still remains” thank you for reading my childhood.
Wonderful melody
Meaningful words and content
Applies to ma
By of us in our personal lives
What a talent ! What an artist.
One of the greats of aii times
Very interesting article, thankyou. Almost a biblical tale in itself, their story. The Boxer has a sad and longingly beautiful melody line which was of real solace to me in adolescence. It strikes a resonant chord of defiance in the face of disappointed hopes.
It still moves me, and so it’s fascinating hearing its origins. The human condition. Expectation, envy, insecurity. Fame and infamy, and the chorus of mutant trolls.