“The Sound of Silence” was originally composed and recorded by famed American music duo Simon & Garfunkel. Released in the 1960s, the album and the song was not an instant hit. In fact, it even led to the group disbanding until the song’s producer, Tom Wilson, decided to tweak the track by overdubbing instruments.
The duo had no idea the remix would be released but surprisingly, it was precisely that version of the single that landed the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 – a feat that included a head to head with the Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out.”
The song’s impact transcends generations and remains a go-to tune for both aspiring and professional artists.
Aptly described as “the quintessential folk rock release”, it was also named as the 18th most-performed song of the 20th century. That’s why today’s artists continue to draw inspiration from Simon & Garfunkel’s music, with some even including their own versions of the duo’s timeless hits in their debut album’s track list, like Nouela.
Nouela is a singer and pianist who hails from Seattle, Washington. Her impressive remake of the Simon and Garfunkel hit, as well as Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”, made people sit up and take notice of her potential to rise in the music industry.
It was precisely the female artist’s catchy version of “The Sound of Silence” that served as the perfect audio backdrop for this dance group’s incredible performance.
Choreographed by Kimmy Matich, the dance included a seamless fusion steps from jazz, ballet, and contemporary, resulting in an enchanting lyrical piece.
Six young, lithe, female dancers took their places onstage, each donning a plain white, long-sleeved leotard with simple sheer cutout detail. The clean, basic appeal of their outfits allowed them to stand out against the stage illuminated with blue and purple lights.
The perfect blend of their simple white costumes, the song, and the dance steps resulted in a visually pleasing aesthetic.
With their hair neatly pulled back in ponytails, the dancers moved in time with the beat, their slow, graceful dancing made even more captivating by the unique sound of Nouela’s singing voice.
The original artists described the meaning of the song as “the inability of people to communicate with each other, not particularly internationally but especially emotionally, so what you see around you are people unable to love each other.”
That said, expectations are high when an individual or a group decides to use the track for their own performance. As a meticulously produced song that earned countless top spots on charts all over the world, it can be a bit challenging to come up with a number equally interesting and meaningful to pair it with.
These incredible dancers did not disappoint.
They took the song, combined it with their talent and grace, and turned it into a mesmerizing number.
Appreciating and understanding the classic hit will compel you to develop a liking not just for Nouela’s version, but for how these talented dancers turned it into a visual masterpiece that highlighted the song’s meaning.
Watch their beautiful dance below to “Sound of Silence.”
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