Simon & Garfunkel: The Dangling Conversation Meaning

Song Released: 1966

The Dangling Conversation Lyrics

It's a still life water color,
Of a now late afternoon,
As the sun shines through the curtained lace
And shadows wash the room.
And we sit and drink our coffee
Couched in our indifference,
Like shells upon the shore
You can hear the ocean...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Mar 30th 2011 !⃝

   This song is an absolute masterpiece in the canon of stupendous work produced by these two masters of their trade. It is indeed about a couple who were clearly once deeply in love and how that love has now become transformed into a comfortable "accommodation" between two people who share superficial values but are now complete strangers on an emotional level. The syncpoation of the music at the point where they sing "in syncopated time" is in my humble view one of the cleverest examples in modern music of the arrangement enhancing the meaning of the lyrics.
2. anonymous

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   Jan 22nd 2021 !⃝

   A very perceptive song about a pseudo-intellectual couple that have drifted apart, and that have nothing left in common. They are bored with each other and themselves, and they clearly have no understanding of the meaning of life, nor its purpose. Their lives are totally empty. They should read the Bible passage at Micah 6:8.
3. josephdanielson

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   Jan 20th 2016 !⃝

   The song is about the emptiness of a modern relationship - yes, modern being from the 1960's. It's about two intellectuals who really have no relationship left - whatever the attraction of the initial love affair that brought them together is gone. The bitterness of loss comes through so many times in the rich imagery. This song - like many songs by Simon and Garfunkel - tells the truth. It's the cry of Solomon in Ecclesiastes: "Useless, useless - all is useless." Even a once-vibrant love affair can (and so often does) end in disappointment. But it's deeper than that - the loss is deeply existential. And, as such, there is no remedy. There is only "striving after wind" (again, from a Solomon who tried to find joy and fulfillment in this fading world, only to find his efforts are useless). Yes - this is a bleak song - that's why it's so brilliant. It captures that worldly wise emptiness of Solomon so well. The solution? Paul Simon has none - but Solomon has some advice: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Seek a relationship with Abba Father through His Son, Jesus the Messiah. That's the only true Way.
4. JonahFalcon

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   May 19th 2006 !⃝

   The song is about a couple who no longer communicate, just making idle talk about irrelevent, intellectual subjects.

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