About the song
Paul Simon’s “The Boxer,” a poignant folk rock ballad, stands as a quintessential piece of Simon & Garfunkel’s illustrious catalog. Released initially as a standalone single on March 21, 1969, and later featured on their final studio album *Bridge over Troubled Water* in 1970, the song epitomizes the duo’s signature blend of introspective lyrics and complex musical arrangements.
Written during a period of personal strife, Simon’s lyrics reflect a deep sense of loneliness and criticism, drawing from both autobiographical experiences and Biblical inspiration. The song’s narrative weaves between a first-person lament and a third-person portrayal of a boxer, symbolizing resilience amidst adversity. The refrain, known for its hauntingly simple “lie-la-lie” chorus, is accompanied by a distinctive reverb-laden snare drum, a hallmark of the song’s production.
The recording of “The Boxer” was an intricate process, taking over 100 hours and involving multiple locations, including St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University and Columbia Studios in Nashville. The track features an eclectic mix of instruments, such as pedal steel guitar and piccolo trumpet, along with a bass harmonica played by Charlie McCoy. The production, overseen by Simon, Garfunkel, and producer Roy Halee, employed innovative techniques, including an unconventional placement of microphones to capture a unique drum sound that became one of the song’s defining elements.
Upon its release, “The Boxer” was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting within the Top 10 in nine countries. It has since been recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its numerous cover versions and its place in popular culture, including performances on significant occasions such as the 9/11 tribute episode of *Saturday Night Live*.
Despite the song’s straightforward chorus, which Simon initially considered a mere placeholder, “The Boxer” has become a profound anthem of perseverance. Its layered production and evocative lyrics continue to resonate with audiences, solidifying its status as a timeless classic in the annals of music history.
Video
Lyrics
I am just a poor boy
Though my story’s seldom told
I have squandered my resistance
For a pocketful of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
When I left my home and my family
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station
Running scared
Laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go
Looking for the places only they would know
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Asking only workman’s wages, I come looking for a job
But I get no offers
Just a come-on from the whores on 7th Avenue
I do declare, there were times when I was so lonesome
I took some comfort there, la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Then I’m laying out my winter clothes
And wishing I was gone, going home
Where the New York City winters aren’t bleeding me
Leading me, going home
In the clearing stands a boxer
And a fighter by his trade
And he carries the reminders
Of every glove that laid him down
Or cut him till he cried out
In his anger and his shame
“I am leaving, I am leaving”
But the fighter still remains
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
Lie-la-lie
Lie-la-lie-lie-lie-lie-lie, lie-lie-lie-lie-lie
I love you