# 'America' by Simon and Garfunkel: Misheard lyrics

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [April 5, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924 "2015-04-05T22:55:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924/61 "2015-04-16T14:52:17Z")

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> [@Peter\_Morris](#):
>
> If it helps, I \*suspected \*it might be drugs, but I was never sure.

Remember, if you don’t know what a rock song is about, it’s about drugs.

Except this one.

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**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924/62 "2015-04-17T01:21:31Z")

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> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#):
>
> Remember, if you don’t know what a rock song is about, it’s about drugs.

Do Simon and Garfunkel’s stuff really count as “rock?”

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**Author:** ![dada2fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ccd318/32.png) [@dada2fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dada2fish)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924/63 "2015-04-17T02:03:30Z")

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This is one of my favorite versions done as the opener for The Concert for New York City performed days after the 9/11 attacks.

[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IS4ZW6f89QI/hqdefault.jpg "David Bowie - America @ Concert For New York City") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS4ZW6f89QI)

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**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-by-simon-and-garfunkel-misheard-lyrics/716924/64 "2015-04-17T02:07:44Z")

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> [@Miller](#):
>
> Do Simon and Garfunkel’s stuff really count as “rock?”

Yes, within the expanded definition that developed in the 60s. Some of it is more discernibly folk-rock, some more pop-rock, and sure some not at all, but as a collective body of work it falls within the wide net.

And **Leaffan** , not knowing who is Blake Shelton leaves you no poorer. I could not identify a track by him on hearing, or pick him from a police lineup, myself.

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