"Bridge Over Troubled Water" was released by Simon & Garfunkel in 1970 and quickly hit <, staying there six weeks. The single has sold 6 million copies, an ode to two close friends who knew their run was coming to an end. Paul Simon has expressed regret over insisting Art Garfunkel sing it in a falsetto solo. On their 2003 "Old Friends" reunion tour, they took turns delivering it. The title is from Claude Jeter's "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me," in the Swan Silvertones’ 1958 "Mary Don't You Weep." The verse "Sail on, silvergirl" was for Simon's wife Peggy, who was distressed at finding her first gray hairs.

-R. Kerby