themes for the song: America by Simon & Garfunkel

chosen song- America by Simon & Garfunkel 

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who are Simon and Garfunkel? 

Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo comprising the singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the best-selling music acts of the 1960s. Their most famous recordings include three US number ones—"The Sound of Silence" and the two Record of the Year Grammywinners "Mrs. Robinson" and "Bridge over Troubled Water"—and "Homeward Bound", "I Am a Rock", "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", "A Hazy Shade of Winter" (also a cover hit for the Bangles), "America", "The Boxer" and "Cecilia".

Meaning behind the song:  

I feel it refers to the elusive American Dream, the promise young people are assured as they set out on the world that they can conquer anything. A theme seen throughout the works of Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, and Kerouac; it is merely that: a dream. As the two lovers here progress on their journey, they run out of cigarettes, they grow bored, and they go to sleep. There is nothing left to do but count the cars in the turnpike, who are of course all doing what they are doing- looking for America. 

themes:

- longing

- existential uncertainty

- romantic optimism

- lost idealism

- the fading American Dream

- dissatisfaction

America by Simon & Garfunkel explores themes of an unachievable dream- this being the American Dream. It follows a man and his girlfriend going on a road trip in search of this 'New America' where they will be free from all their troubles. It begins hopeful with the man thinking of this trip as romantic; however, as the song goes on, this optimistic perspective shifts into one of dissatisfaction and uncertainty as he realises that this ideal world doesn't exist and he comes to the understanding that everyone is looking for the same thing in life yet no one will reach it.