The Sound Of Silence

The song "The Sound of Silence," originally composed by the duo Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s, received a new rendition by the band Disturbed, led by vocalist David Draiman. Disturbed's version is marked by an intensity and heaviness that contrasts with the original's gentle melody, offering a fresh perspective on the lyrics. The song addresses themes of alienation and the inability to communicate in modern society—topics that remain relevant and are intensified by Draiman's dramatic performance.

The lyrics begin with a greeting to the darkness, a metaphor for isolation and introspection. The narrator describes a vision that disturbs him, something that 'left its seeds' while he slept, suggesting ideas or concerns that infiltrate the subconscious. The 'vision' remains with him, resonating in the 'sound of silence,' an expression that can symbolize the lack of genuine communication and the prevalence of existential emptiness. The images of 'people talking without speaking' and 'hearing without listening' reinforce the idea of a disconnected society, where superficial communication prevails.

The social critique deepens with the reference to 'people praying to a neon god they made,' an allusion to the worship of technology and consumerism. The song ends with an almost apocalyptic vision, where the words of the prophets are relegated to subway walls and tenement corridors, whispered in the sound of silence. Disturbed's interpretation, with its powerful vocal performance and strong arrangements, amplifies the sense of urgency and critique of human disconnection, making the song's message even more poignant and relevant.