About the song
Simon & Garfunkel – Mrs. Robinson: A Timeless Folk-Rock Masterpiece
Emerging from the vibrant folk scene of the 1960s, the duo Simon & Garfunkel captivated audiences worldwide with their harmonious blend of folk, rock, and pop sensibilities. Their music, often characterized by its introspective lyrics and intricate melodies, resonated deeply with listeners, making them one of the most successful and influential musical acts of all time. Among their extensive discography, the song “Mrs. Robinson” stands as a timeless masterpiece, a poignant ballad that has become an enduring symbol of the era.
Released in 1968, “Mrs. Robinson” was featured in the Mike Nichols film “The Graduate”, where it served as a powerful commentary on the social and generational tensions of the time. The song’s narrator, a young college graduate, finds himself entangled in an affair with an older woman, Mrs. Robinson, a character who represents the perceived superficiality and disillusionment of the older generation.
Written by Paul Simon, “Mrs. Robinson” is a complex and multifaceted song that has been interpreted in various ways over the years. Some view it as a critique of suburban conformity and the pursuit of material wealth, while others see it as a more personal exploration of alienation, identity, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
The song’s opening lines, “Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson/Jesus loves you more than you will know,” set the stage for a narrative that is both intimate and enigmatic. The narrator’s address to Mrs. Robinson is marked by a mixture of admiration and detachment, suggesting a sense of both fascination and disillusionment with her world.
The verses that follow delve into the narrator’s own inner turmoil as he grapples with his place in society and the conflicting values he encounters. The lyrics are rich in imagery and symbolism, evoking a sense of displacement and uncertainty amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing social landscape.
The chorus, with its repeated refrain of “And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson/God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson,” offers a glimmer of hope and compassion amidst the song’s overall sense of melancholy. The narrator’s seemingly contradictory sentiments towards Mrs. Robinson suggest a complex emotional landscape, hinting at both empathy and judgment.
The song’s bridge, with its lines “Sail on silver girl/Sail on silver moon/Shine on you crazy diamond,” provides a moment of poetic respite, offering a sense of longing and idealism amidst the prevailing themes of disillusionment and uncertainty.
The final verse brings the song to a close with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The narrator acknowledges that “things are changing” and that he must find his own way in a world that is no longer familiar. The song’s final line, “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to persuade me,” leaves the listener with a sense of lingering ambiguity, suggesting that the narrator’s journey of self-discovery is far from over.
“Mrs. Robinson” is a song that has stood the test of time, remaining a popular and critically acclaimed piece of music decades after its release. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the complexities of human emotion, the challenges of navigating social change, and the universal quest for meaning and identity. With its evocative lyrics, haunting melodies, and masterful harmonies, “Mrs. Robinson” remains a testament to the enduring power of music to touch our hearts and minds.
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Lyrics
“Mrs. Robinson”
And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo wo wo
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray, hey hey hey
Hey hey heyWe’d like to know a little bit about you for our files
We’d like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at homeAnd here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo wo wo
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray, hey hey hey
Hey hey heyHide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
It’s a little secret, just the Robinsons’ affair
Most of all, you’ve got to hide it from the kidsCoo coo ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo wo wo
God bless you please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray, hey hey hey
Hey hey heySitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates’ debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you’ve got to choose
Every way you look at it you loseWhere have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you, wo wo wo
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson
‘Joltin Joe’ has left and gone away, hey hey hey
Hey hey hey