3 Songs That Sound Like Simon & Garfunkel but Actually Aren’t

Childhood friends, Simon & Garfunkel grew up to form one of the most sublime singing groups of all time. With harmonies that seemed divinely created, the duo was responsible for songs like “The Sound of Silence” and “Mrs. Robinson.” With such singing talent, it seems like the band would be impossible to mimic. However, these three songs below may beg to differ.

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Indeed, this trio of tunes from these three exquisite acts may even rival their forefathers. Here are three songs that sound like Simon & Garfunkel but actually aren’t.

[RELATED: 3 Timeless Simon & Garfunkel Songs that Showcase the Art of Songwriting at Its Best]

“The Boy With the Arab Strap” by Belle and Sebastian from The Boy With the Arab Strap (1998)

The vocal harmonies on this track come in during the latter half of the song but the tune features that same lilting, acoustic-driven sound Simon & Garfunkel were known for. There is a distinct pastoral feeling to the track, too. Like you’re rolling through hills and traveling to a better place as you listen. For the Glasgow, Scotland-born Belle and Sebastian, you can hear the influence of Queens, New York’s Simon & Garfunkel throughout. And on the tune, the group sings,

A mile and a half on a bus takes a long time
The odour of old prison food takes a long time to pass you by

Day upon day of this wandering gets you down
Nobody gives you a chance or a dollar in this old town

Hovering silence from you is a giveaway
Squalor and smoke’s not your style
“I don’t like this place”, we better go

“Michigan” by The Milk Carton Kids from Prologue (2011)

For the Los Angeles-born duo The Milk Carton Kids, achieving vocal harmonies that melt their listeners’ hearts seems the supreme goal. Singing over spare acoustic guitars on the track “Michigan,” the group’s performance cuts you open and guts you. It’s like your conscience has a singing voice and is calling to you from the center of your soul. Indeed, on the track, the duo sings,

So when she calls, don’t send her my way
When it hurts most it’s the right thing

Michigan’s in the rear-view now
Keep your hands, where I could see ’em
It took the words right out my mouth
When you knew that I would need ’em
What am I supposed to do now?
Without you
Without you

“Emmylou” by First Aid Kit from The Lion’s Roar (2021)

Of course, these two singers are women and thus you won’t exactly be mistaking them for the male duo of Simon & Garfunkel. But that’s not the point. The vocal harmonies from the Stockholm-born sister duo First Aid Kit will transport you to the same place the New York City-born duo can. This is displayed on the 2012 song “Emmylou” here below. Blissful, emotive, enveloping—it’s lovely. Together the singers offer,

Oh the bitter winds are coming in
And I’m already missing the summer
Stockholm’s cold but I’ve been told
I was born to endure this kind of weather
When it’s you I find like a ghost in my mind
I am defeated and I gladly wear the crown

I’ll be your Emmylou and I’ll be your June
If you’ll be my Gram and my Johnny too
No, I’m not asking much of you
Just sing little darling, sing with me

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