Old Friends

In *Old Friends*, Simon & Garfunkel present us with a vivid image of two elderly men sitting on a bench, as if they were the ends of a book. The song delves into their thoughts on the passage of time and the proximity of the end of their lives. It feels as if one of them is wondering to the other how strange it will feel to reach that point. The piece flows seamlessly into *Bookends Theme (Reprise)*, which addresses the loss and fleeting nature of memories and shared moments. This connection makes *Bookends Theme (Reprise)* feel more like a natural continuation of *Old Friends* than a completely separate song, and indeed, the duo used to perform them together in their shows.

The recording of *Old Friends* took place near the end of the process for the album *Bookends*, being completed on March 8, 1968, just before finishing *Bookends Theme*. Musically, the song begins with a rather free structure, supported by an acoustic guitar and a serene atmosphere. However, halfway through the piece, an orchestral element is introduced, composed and conducted by Jimmie Haskell. This arrangement adds a dissonant crescendo, where strings and glockenspiel notes take prominence. When the duo stops singing, winds and other instruments join in, creating a sense of turbulence that culminates in a high, sustained note on the strings, perhaps suggesting a medical emergency or the passing of one of the friends. This song, along with *Bookends Theme*, appeared on the B-side of the single *Mrs. Robinson*, released on April 5, 1968, by Columbia Records. The album *Bookends*, released on April 3, 1968, explored the cycle of life, from childhood to old age, with lyrics touching on themes such as youth, disillusionment, relationships, and mortality.