View source for Bridge over Troubled Water (song)

{{Short description|1970 song recorded by Simon & Garfunkel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name          = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover         = Bridge Over Troubled Water single.jpg
| alt           = 
| caption       = Front cover of the US and some overseas vinyl releases (back cover shows Garfunkel)
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Simon & Garfunkel]]
| album         = [[Bridge over Troubled Water]]
| B-side        = [[Keep the Customer Satisfied (song)|Keep the Customer Satisfied]]
| released      = {{Start date|1970|01|20}}
| recorded      = {{flatlist|
* August 1969
* November 9, 1969
}}
| studio        = 
| venue         = 
| genre         =
* [[Pop rock]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-paul-simon-aretha-franklin-bridge-over-troubled-water-20180907-story.html|title=Paul Simon on Aretha Franklin's version of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'|date=September 7, 2018|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Gospel music|gospel]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.openculture.com/2021/02/paul-simon-tells-the-story-of-how-he-wrote-bridge-over-troubled-water-1970.html|title=Paul Simon Tells the Story of How He Wrote "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970) |website=Openculture.com|access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
* [[soft rock]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Valdez |first1=Steve |editor1-last=Henderson |editor1-first=Lol |editor2-last=Stacey |editor2-first=Lee |title=Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century |date=2014 |publisher=Routledge |location=London |isbn=978-1-135-92946-6 |page=223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m8W2AgAAQBAJ |chapter=Folk rock}}</ref>
| length        = {{Duration|m=4|s=55}}
| label         = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
| writer        = [[Paul Simon]]
| producer      =
* [[Roy Halee]]
* Paul Simon
* [[Art Garfunkel]]
| prev_title    = [[The Boxer]]
| prev_year     = 1969
| next_title    = [[Cecilia (Simon & Garfunkel song)|Cecilia]]
| next_year     = 1970
| misc          = {{External music video|header=Official audio|{{YouTube|4G-YQA_bsOU|"Bridge over Troubled Water"}}}}
{{Audio sample
 | type        = single
 | file        = Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water.ogg
}}
}}

"'''Bridge over Troubled Water'''" is a song by the American [[folk rock]] duo [[Simon & Garfunkel]], released in January 1970 as the second single from their fifth and final studio album, ''[[Bridge over Troubled Water]]'' (1970). It was written by [[Paul Simon]] and produced by Simon, [[Art Garfunkel]] and [[Roy Halee]].

"Bridge over Troubled Water" features lead vocals by [[Art Garfunkel]] and a piano accompaniment influenced by [[gospel music]], with a "[[Wall of Sound]]"-style production.<ref name="bbcsoldonsong">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/soldonsong/songlibrary/indepth/bridgeovertroubledwater.shtml |title= Sold on Song – Bridge Over Troubled Water |publisher=[[BBC Radio 2]] |access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Kent |last=Hartman |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312619749/page/261 261–263] |year=2012 |title=The Wrecking Crew |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312619749 |url-access=registration |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press|St. Martin’s Griffin]] |isbn=978-1-250-03046-7}}</ref> It was the last song recorded for the album, but the first completed.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}} The instrumentation, provided by the [[The Wrecking Crew (music)|Wrecking Crew]], was recorded in California, while Simon and Garfunkel's vocals were recorded in New York.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}}{{sfn|Browne|2012|p=30}}{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=61}}{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=111}} Simon felt Garfunkel should sing solo, an invitation Garfunkel initially declined.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=105}} Session musician [[Larry Knechtel]] performs piano, with [[Joe Osborn]] playing [[bass guitar]] and [[Hal Blaine]] on drums.

The song won five awards at the [[13th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 1971, including [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]. It is Simon & Garfunkel's most successful single, topping the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart for six weeks, and was the No. 1 song on the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970|''Billboard'' Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970]].  It also hit number one in the United Kingdom, Canada, France and New Zealand. It reached the top five in eight other countries, eventually selling over six million copies worldwide.  It became one of the most performed songs of the 20th century, covered by over 50 artists, including [[Elvis Presley]], [[Aretha Franklin]] and [[Johnny Cash]]. It is ranked number 66 on [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]].

==Background==
"Bridge over Troubled Water" was written by [[Paul Simon]] in early 1969; the song came to him very quickly, so much so that he asked himself: "Where did that come from?  It doesn't seem like me."{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=105}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/music/features/3866/|title=Sounds of Simon|work=New York Magazine|date=October 9, 2000|first=Anthony|last=DeCurtis|authorlink=Anthony DeCurtis|access-date=June 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="bbcforgotten">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200122-the-forgotten-political-roots-of-bridge-over-troubled-water|title=The forgotten political roots of Bridge over Troubled Water|publisher=BBC|first=Dorian|last=Lynskey|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2021}}</ref>  The title concept was inspired by [[Claude Jeter]]'s line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in my name," which Jeter sang with his group, the [[Swan Silvertones]], in the 1959 song "[[Mary Don't You Weep]]".<ref>Sisario, Ben. [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/arts/music/11jeter.html "Claude Jeter, Gospel Singer With Wide Influence, Dies at 94 "], ''[[The New York Times]]'', January 10, 2009. Accessed January 11, 2009.</ref><ref name="zolten">{{cite web | url=https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/OhMaryDontYouWeep.pdf | title="Oh Mary Don't You Weep"--The Swan Silvertones (1959) | author=Zolten, Jerry | website=Library of Congress | access-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> According to gospel producer and historian [[Anthony Heilbut]], Simon acknowledged his debt to Jeter in person, and handed Jeter a check.<ref name="NYDN Jeter Obit">{{cite news|last=Hinckley|first=David|title=Legendary singer Claude Jeter dies|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/legendary-singer-claude-jeter-dies-article-1.421227|access-date=August 13, 2012|newspaper=New York Daily News|date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> Simon named [[Johann Sebastian Bach]]'s "[[O Sacred Head, Now Wounded]]" as inspiration for parts of the melody.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E8HUjxroFA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/4E8HUjxroFA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Songs Inspired By Bach|date=May 10, 2020 |access-date=November 16, 2021|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Simon wrote the song initially on guitar but used the piano to reflect the [[Gospel music|gospel]] influence and suit Garfunkel's voice.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}}

Simon told his partner, [[Art Garfunkel]], that Garfunkel should sing it alone, the "white choirboy way", though Simon adds harmony on the final verse.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=105}} Garfunkel felt it was not right for him;{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}} he liked Simon's [[falsetto]] on the demo and suggested that Simon sing. At the suggestion of Garfunkel and producer [[Roy Halee]], Simon wrote an extra verse and a "bigger" ending, though he felt it was less cohesive with the earlier verses.<ref>Kingston, Victoria, ''Simon and Garfunkel: the Definitive Biography'', Sidgwick & Jackson, UK, 1996 p.101-02</ref> The final verse was written about Simon's then-wife Peggy Harper, who had noticed her first gray hairs ("Sail on, silvergirl").<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dawidoff|first=Nicholas|title=Paul Simon's Restless Journey|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 12, 2011|issue=1130|pages=60–61}}</ref><ref name=RSI>{{cite web|last=Dawidoff|first=Nioclas|title=Paul Simon's Restless Journey|url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/features/paul-simon%E2%80%99s-restless-journey/ |work=Rolling Stone India |publisher=RollingStoneIndia.com |access-date=August 13, 2012|date=August 25, 2011}}</ref> It does not refer to a drug abuser's hypodermic needle, as is sometimes claimed.{{sfn|Bennighof|2007|p=43}} The verse was Garfunkel's idea, but Simon reportedly did not like it.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/simon-and-garfunkel-bridge-over-troubled-water-20110525 |title=Simon and Garfunkel, 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' &#124; 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 7, 2011 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

"Bridge over Troubled Water" was the final track recorded for the album but the first completed, with an additional two weeks of post-production.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}} Simon initially wrote the song in [[G major]], but arranger and composer [[Jimmie Haskell]] transposed the song to [[E-flat major]] to suit Garfunkel's voice.{{sfn|Ebel|2004|pp=58–60}} The song's instrumental parts were recorded in August 1969 in California, to make it easier for Garfunkel to go to Mexico to film ''[[Catch-22 (film)|Catch-22]]''.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=111}}<ref name="bbcforgotten"/> Simon wanted a [[gospel music|gospel]] piano sound, and hired session musician [[Larry Knechtel]]. [[Joe Osborn]] played two separate bass tracks, one high and the other low. A string section entering in the third verse completed the arrangement. The [[drum]]s were played by [[Hal Blaine]] in an [[echo chamber]] to achieve a hall effect and Los Angeles session percussionist Gary Coleman played the [[Vibraphone]]. Haskell misheard the demo's chorus, writing "Like a Pitcher of Water" on the title page of his sheet music: Simon later framed it.<ref name="GilesSmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/lives-of-the-great-songs--bridge-over-troubled-water-1448080.html|title=Lives of the great songs / Bridge over troubled water|newspaper=The Independent|first=Giles|last=Smith|date=September 11, 1994|access-date=August 14, 2012}}</ref>

Simon and Garfunkel returned to New York in November 1969 to record the vocals.{{sfn|Ebel|2004|p=61}}{{sfn|Browne|2012|p=30}}{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=104}}<ref name="bbcforgotten"/> The vocal style in "Bridge over Troubled Water" was inspired by [[Phil Spector]]'s technique in "[[Ol' Man River|Old Man River]]" by [[The Righteous Brothers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artgarfunkel.com/articles/talks.html|publisher=Art Garfunkel Official Website|title=Across America Promotional CD Interview With Art|access-date=August 15, 2012|archive-date=July 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716065125/http://www.artgarfunkel.com/articles/talks.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Simon said it sounded like [[the Beatles]]' "[[Let It Be (song)|Let It Be]]", stating in a ''Rolling Stone'' interview: "They are very similar songs, certainly in instrumentation."{{sfn|Browne|2012|p=154}}

As their relations frayed preceding their 1970 breakup, Simon began to experience regret for allowing Garfunkel to sing it solo:
{{blockquote|He felt I should have done it, and many times on a stage, though, when I'd be sitting off to the side and Larry Knechtel would be playing the piano and Artie would be singing "Bridge", people would stomp and cheer when it was over, and I would think, "That's my song, man..."{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=105}}}}

==Personnel==
* [[Art Garfunkel]] – lead vocals
* [[Paul Simon]] – backing vocals
* [[Larry Knechtel]] – piano
* [[Joe Osborn]] – bass guitar
* [[Hal Blaine]] – drums and percussion
* [[Jimmie Haskell]], [[Ernie Freeman]] – string arrangements

==Critical reception==
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "beautiful, almost religious-oriented ballad" whose "performance and arrangement are perfect."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|page=79|title=Spotlight Singles|date=January 31, 1970|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1970/Billboard%201970-01-31.pdf|accessdate=2023-04-29}}</ref> ''[[Cash Box]]'' said that "set in parable, this love ballad carries a two-level interpretation" and praised "Garfunkel's magnificent vocal performance and the material."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|magazine=Cash Box|page=36|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=January 31, 1970|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1970/CB-1970-01-31.pdf|accessdate=2023-04-29}}</ref> ''[[Record World]]'' predicted that the song would "equal [the duo's] '[[The Boxer|Boxer]]' success."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Single Picks of the Week|magazine=Record World|date=January 31, 1970|page=1|accessdate=2023-04-29|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/70/RW-1970-01-31.pdf}}</ref>

The song has also been lauded as one of the greatest by Simon & Garfunkel. In 2017, ''[[The Guardian]]'' called the song one of the best by the duo, describing it as "heart-stirring".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pollard |first=Alexandra |date=February 8, 2017 |title=Simon and Garfunkel – 10 of the best |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/feb/08/simon-and-garfunkel-10-of-the-best |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' similarly lauded the song in 2020, calling it "a transcendent experience" and ranking it as the best song by the group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Graeme |date=February 28, 2020 |title=The 20 greatest Simon & Garfunkel songs ranked, from 'America' to 'Mrs Robinson' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/simon-garfunkel-20-greatest-songs-ranked-bridge-over-troubled-water-a9363141.html |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==
Despite the song's five-minute length, Columbia decided to release "Bridge over Troubled Water" for play on pop radio. AM radio had previously played [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Like a Rolling Stone]]" in 1965, despite its running over the conventional three-minute playtime limit. This figured in Columbia's decision to release the five-minute version of "Bridge over Troubled Water" as a single.{{sfn|Eliot|2010|p=106}} It reached number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at the top of the chart for six weeks. "Bridge over Troubled Water" also topped the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|adult contemporary chart]] in the US for six weeks.<ref>[[Joel Whitburn|Whitburn, Joel]] (1996). ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'', 6th Edition (Billboard Publications)</ref> ''Billboard'' ranked it as the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970|No. 1 song for 1970]].<ref>[[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970]]</ref>

The song was certified Gold for over one million copies in the US by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]],<ref name="riaa"/> and sold over six million copies worldwide.<ref name="Rudolph">{{cite book|title= The Book of Golden Discs |url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr |url-access= registration |quote= rudolph. |edition= 2, illustrated |first= Joseph |last= Murrells |publisher= [[Barrie & Jenkins]] |isbn= 0-214-20480-4 |year= 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Arts in the 1970s: Cultural Closure|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7eWo7eGPx8AC&q=%22list+of+1970s+best-sellers%22|last=Moore-Gilbert|first=Bart|publisher= Routledge|date=March 11, 2002|isbn = 9780415099066|access-date=May 30, 2012}}</ref>

==Awards==
The single won the [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Song|Best Contemporary Song]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals|Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals]] in the [[Grammy Awards of 1971]], with its album also winning [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref name="grammycom">{{cite web | title=13th Annual GRAMMY Awards | website=GRAMMY.com | url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/13th-annual-grammy-awards | access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref><ref name="grammydb">{{cite web | title=[1971 Grammy Awards] – Complete List of Winners and Nominees (13th) ♪ | website=Grammy Database – Complete Grammy Awards Winners & Nominees Archive (1959–2025) | date=2025-06-24 | url=https://www.grammydatabase.com/2025/06/1971-All-Grammy-Winners-and-Nominees.html | access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref><ref name="awardsands">{{cite web | title=Grammy Award Winners 1971 | website=Grammy Award Nominees 1971 | url=https://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1971-220.html | access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>

==Charts and certifications==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Weekly chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (1970)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|2|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|4|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|23|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=3778|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2023}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=3775|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2023}}
|-
! scope="row"| Finland ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=234|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Simon and Garfunkel|page=234|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=July 5, 2022|language=fi}}</ref>
| 8
|-
{{single chart|France|1|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
! scope="row"| Indonesia ([[:id:Aktuil|Aktuil]])<ref name="Indonesia">{{cite web
 |url          = https://museummusikindonesia.id/2020/08/08/aktuil-edisi-059-th-1970
 |title        = Aktuil Magazine 59
 |author       = Aktuil
 |date         = 1970
}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{single chart|Ireland|2|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015|week=5|year=1970}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|5|artist=Simon Garfunkel|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|5|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|Norway|7|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
! scope="row"| South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|first=Brian |last=Currin |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(S).html |title=South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (S) |publisher=Rock.co.za |access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>
| 4
|-
{{single chart|Spain|2|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|5|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|1|date=1970-03-22|access-date=March 11, 2015|songid=8688|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Simon Garfunkel|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Simon Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=March 11, 2015|refname="hot100"}}
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|3|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|song=Bridge over Troubled Water|songid=137|rowheader=true|access-date=October 10, 2018}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Year-end chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (1970)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |title=Australian Chart Book |website=Austchartbook.com.au |access-date=October 2, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064644/http://www.austchartbook.com.au/ |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }}</ref>
| 5
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=3740|rowheader=true|access-date=December 31, 2023|refname="CanadaYearEnd"}}
|-
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1970|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1970|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref>
| 29
|-
! scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1970|publisher=[[Single Top 100]]. Hung Medien|access-date=25 February 2018|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1970&cat=s|language=nl}}</ref>
| 30
|-
! scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC)
| 5
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1970.htm |title=Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970 |website=Musicoutfitters.com |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>
| 1
|}

===All-time charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+All-time chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (1958–2018)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary|title=Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>
| 229
|}

===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|title=Bridge over Troubled Water|artist=Simon and Garfunkel|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1970|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=December 21, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|title=Bridge over Troubled Water|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|id=1082-1749-1|access-date=September 3, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Bridge over Troubled Water|artist=Simon & Garfunkel|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1970|certyear=1970|access-date=October 18, 2019|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
{{col-end}}

===US chart performance===
"Bridge over Troubled Water" entered the Billboard Hot 100 top 40 at no.13 on February 9, 1970. It jumped to no.3 the following week before climbing to no.1.
During a six-week run at the top – the most for any single that year – Simon and Garfunkel held off strong competition from [[Creedence Clearwater Revival]] ("[[Travelin' Band]]") and [[The Jaggerz]] ("[[The Rapper]]"). Then, on April 11, the song fell to no.5 – replaced by [[The Beatles]]' "[[Let It Be (song)|Let It Be]]". "Bridge over Troubled Water" concluded a 13-week run in the US top 40 on 9 May as their follow-up hit "Cecilia" began its rise to no.4.

===UK chart performance===
As in the US, "Bridge over Troubled Water" made its UK top 40 bow at no.13, on February 28, 1970. The song climbed steadily over the next four weeks before claiming no.1 on March 28. During a three-week stay at the top, it held off strong competition from [[Mary Hopkin]] with "[[Knock, Knock Who's There?]]" and "[[Can't Help Falling in Love]]" by [[Andy Williams]].
Then, on April 18, the song fell to no.2 – replaced by "[[All Kinds of Everything]]" by [[Dana Rosemary Scallon|Dana]].
In total, "Bridge over Troubled Water" spent seventeen weeks in the UK top 40 (concluding on June 27).

==Covers==
"Bridge over Troubled Water" has been covered by over 50 artists,{{sfn|Charlesworth|1997|p=49}} including [[Elvis Presley]] and [[Willie Nelson]]. [[Merry Clayton]] recorded a version in gospel style on her 1970 album ''Gimme Shelter''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Merry-Clayton-Gimme-Shelter/master/337524|title=Merry Clayton – Gimme Shelter|website=Discogs|year=1970 }}</ref> A cover was included on [[The Supremes]] 1970 release [[New Ways But Love Stays]] with lead vocals by [[Jean Terrell]], [[Roberta Flack]] on her 1971 album - "Quiet Fire", [[Mary Wilson (singer)|Mary Wilson]], and [[Cindy Birdsong]]. A cover recorded by [[Johnny Cash]] and [[Fiona Apple]] for Cash's ''[[American IV: The Man Comes Around]]'' album was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals]] in [[45th Grammy Awards|2003]].{{sfn|Eliot|2010|pp=103, 164}}

===Aretha Franklin version===
{{Infobox song
| name          = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover         = 
| alt           = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Aretha Franklin]]
| album         = [[Aretha's Greatest Hits]]
| B-side        = Brand New Me
| released      = 1971
| recorded      = August 13, 1970<ref name="Aretha 1992 notes">{{Cite AV media notes |title=Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings |title-link=Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings |others=[[Aretha Franklin]] |date=1992|type=booklet |publisher=Rhino Records}}</ref>
| studio        = [[Atlantic Studios|Atlantic]] (New York City)
| venue         = 
| genre         =
* [[Gospel music|Gospel]]<ref name="Molanphy 2024">{{Cite podcast|url=https://slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade/2024/11/how-aretha-franklin-brought-gospel-and-soul-to-pop|title=Say a Little Prayer Edition|website=Hit Parade {{!}} Music History and Music Trivia|publisher=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|last=Molanphy|first=Chris|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=February 17, 2025}}</ref>
* [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]<ref name="Molanphy 2024"/>
| length        =
* {{Duration|m=5|s=31}} (album version)
* {{Duration|m=3|s=18}} (single version)
| label         = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| producer      =
* [[Jerry Wexler]]
* [[Arif Mardin]]
* [[Tom Dowd]]
| prev_title    = [[You're All I Need to Get By]]
| prev_year     = 1971
| next_title    = [[Spanish Harlem (song)|Spanish Harlem]]
| next_year     = 1971
}}

[[Aretha Franklin]]'s gospel-infused [[cover version]] was recorded in the summer of 1970, during the sessions for what would become her 1972 album ''[[Young, Gifted and Black]]''. Franklin's rendition is recorded in the key of B major, and contains a brief interpolation of the [[Four Tops]]' 1970 hit "[[Still Water (Love)]]". Franklin debuted her version on March 5, 1971, during her landmark three-night stint at San Francisco's [[Fillmore West]], which was later released as ''[[Aretha Live at Fillmore West]]''. Eleven days later, she performed the song on television for the first time at the [[13th Annual Grammy Awards]], at which an already-disbanded Simon & Garfunkel won five Grammy Awards for the song. Franklin's Grammy performance was released decades later on the 1994 compilation ''Grammy's Greatest Moments Volume III''.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}

===Elvis Presley===
{{Infobox song
| name          = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover         = 
| alt           = 
| type          = song
| artist        = [[Elvis Presley]]
| album         = [[That's the Way It Is (Elvis Presley album)|That's the Way It Is]]
| released      = 1970
| recorded      = 1970
| genre         =
* [[Country music|Country]]
* [[soft rock]]
| length        = {{Duration|m=4|s=35}}
| label         = [[RCA Corporation|RCA]]
| producer      = [[Felton Jarvis]]
}}

In 1970, [[Elvis Presley]] covered the song.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1506019/elvis-presley-paul-simon-bridge-over-troubled-water |website=express.co.uk |access-date=October 18, 2021 |title=Elvis Presley: Paul Simon - 'The King's cover of my song was unbelievable'|date=October 18, 2021 }}</ref>

===Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed===
[[Chet Atkins]] and [[Jerry Reed]] recorded an instrumental version of the song and released it on their 1970 album ''[[Me & Jerry]]''. The song appears as the second song on the album's first side and features both Reed and Atkins playing guitar trading lines back and forth with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFaYzTfbHI4|title=YouTube |date=November 13, 2018 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=September 20, 2022}}</ref> The album and their rendition of the song received generally positive reviews with the former going on to win the 1971 [[Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web |first=Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |title= ''Me & Jerry'' > Review |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id= mw0000863334 |pure_url=yes}} |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r385639|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic entry for reissue of ''Me & Jerry'' and ''Me & Chet''.]</ref>

===Linda Clifford===
{{Infobox song
| name       = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover      =
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Linda Clifford]]
| album      = [[Let Me Be Your Woman]]
| B-side     = Hold Me Close
| released   = 1979
| recorded   = 1978
| studio     = Curtom Studios (Chicago, IL)<ref>{{AllMusic |class=album |id=mw0000849704 |label=''Let Me Be Your Woman'' review |first=Donald A. |last=Guarisco |accessdate=2016-10-23}}</ref>
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Disco]]
| length     =
* {{Duration|m=10|s=20}} (album version)
* {{Duration|m=4|s=08}} (7-inch version)
| label      =
* [[RSO Records|RSO]]
* [[Curtom Records|Curtom]]
| writer     = [[Paul Simon]]
| producer   = [[Gil Askey]]
| prev_title = Gypsy Lady
| prev_year  = 1978
| next_title = Don't Give It Up
| next_year  = 1979
}}

[[Linda Clifford]], [[Curtis Mayfield]]'s protégée signed on his Curtom label, released an up-tempo [[disco]] version of "Bridge over Troubled Water" on her album ''[[Let Me Be Your Woman]]'' in March 1979. This epic version (10:20 in length) was produced by [[Gil Askey]] (jazz trumpet player and musical director for many [[Motown]] acts) and mixed by Jimmy Simpson, brother of [[Valerie Simpson]] from [[Ashford and Simpson]]. The song has two originalities, the first one being a 132 bpm [[tempo]] (considered the ideal tempo for disco dancing) when the Simon and Garfunkel original is 82 bpm and Aretha Franklin's cover is 76 bpm. It was the first time that this song was covered with a fast tempo. It also has a highly original "Brazilian [[cuica]] on a disco beat" break. It became a US disco number 11, pop number 41, R&B number 49 and UK number 28.<ref>{{cite book |title= Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=60}}</ref>

===P.J.B. featuring Hannah and Her Sisters version===
{{Infobox song
| name       = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover      = 
| alt        =
| caption    = 
| type       = single
| artist     = P.J.B. featuring Hannah and Her Sisters
| album      = 
| B-side     = 
| released   = 1991
| recorded   =
| studio     =
| venue      =
| genre      =
* [[Electronic dance music|Dance]]
* [[House music|house]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=3|s=45}}
| label      =
* [[Sony Music|CBS]]
* [[Columbia Records|Columbia]]
* Dance Pool
| writer     = [[Paul Simon]]
| producer   = [[Pete Bellotte]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  = 
}}

In 1991, P.J.B. featuring Hannah and Her Sisters, a UK group assembled by British songwriter, record producer and author [[Pete Bellotte]] and fronted by British singer [[Hannah Jones (singer)|Hannah Jones]], released a dance cover of "Bridge over Troubled Water" which reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=A&ChDate=19910928&ChMode=N |title=Ultimate Music Database |publisher=Umdmusic.com |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> The group appeared on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' as the opening act on the 26 September 1991 episode.

====Charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (1991)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Europe ([[Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-10-19.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=42|date=October 19, 1991|page=41|access-date=September 8, 2025}}</ref>
| 61
|-
! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Dance Radio Chart|European Dance Radio]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-10-19.pdf|title=European Dance Radio|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=42|date=October 19, 1991|page=38|access-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref>
| 24
|-
! scope="row"| Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title=Search song > Bridge Over Troubled Water > Hannah & Her Sisters|publisher=irishcharts.ie|access-date=September 8, 2025}}</ref>
| 23
|-
! scope="row"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27175/pjb-featuring-hannah-and-her-sisters/|title=Official Charts > PJB feat. Hannah and Her Sisters|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=October 25, 2021}}</ref>
| 21
|-
! scope="row"| UK Airplay (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-10-05.pdf|title=Playlist Chart|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=October 5, 1991|page=20|access-date=October 17, 2025}}</ref>
| 17
|-
! scope="row"| UK Dance (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-09-14.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=September 14, 1991|page=22|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref>
| 8
|-
! scope="row"| [[Record Mirror Club Chart|UK Club Chart]] (''[[Record Mirror]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-09-14.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=[[Music Week]], in [[Record Mirror]] (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=September 14, 1991|page=8|access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref>
| 18
|}

===Clay Aiken version===
{{See also|This Is the Night (Clay Aiken song)}}
In 2003, ''[[American Idol]]'' [[American Idol (season 2)|season two]] runner-up [[Clay Aiken]] performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" during the competition. After the final results were announced, [[RCA Records]] released the song as a [[double A-side]] single with "This Is the Night" in Canada in New Zealand; in the US, "This Is the Night" was credited as a solo release since it received a higher cumulative airplay audience.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/clay-aiken/chart-history/hsi/|title=Clay Aiken Chart History (The Hot 100)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Feat of Clay: Aiken Proves 'This Is the Night'|last1=Pietroluongo|first1=Silvio|last2=Patel|first2=Minal|last3=Jessen|first3=Wade|magazine=Billboard|volume=115|issue=26|page=71|date=June 28, 2003}}</ref> The double A-side charted at number one in both Canada and New Zealand, earning a sextuple-platinum sales certification in the former country and a platinum disc in the latter.<ref>{{cite certification|region=Canada|type=single|artist=Clay Aiken|title=Bridge over Troubled Water|award=Platinum|number=6|certyear=2003|access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Clay Aiken|title=Bridge over Troubled Water|award=Platinum|id=2003-07-18|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2003}}</ref> On New Zealand's year-end chart for 2003, the single was ranked at number 38.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2003-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 2003|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref>

====Charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (2003)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Canada ([[Canadian Singles Chart|Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/clay-aiken/chart-history/cns/|title=Clay Aiken Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 19, 2022}}</ref>
| 1
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Clay Aiken|song=Bridge over Troubled Water / This Is the Night|rowheader=true|access-date=February 19, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|29|artist=Clay Aiken|rowheader=true|access-date=November 5, 2022}}
|}

===Cantonese version===
A rewriting of the song with Cantonese lyrics ("Many hearts prevail" – [[:zh:滔滔千里心]]) was collectively sung by many Hong Kong singers for public shows in Hong Kong to raise funds after the [[Eastern China flood of 1991]]. In 2009 it was also used in the [[Artistes 88 Fund Raising Campaign]] for the victims of [[Typhoon Morakot]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2009-08/19/content_18360822.htm |title=Artists raise fund in HK for Taiwan flood victims |publisher=[[China Internet Information Center|China.org.cn]] }}</ref>

===Dami Im version===
[[Dami Im]] covered this song during the Family Heroes-themed sixth live show of the fifth season of ''[[The X Factor (Australia season 5)|Australian X Factor]]'' on September 29, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hardie|first=Giles|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/minogue-reduced-to-tears-on-x-factor-20130929-2umn8.html|title=Minogue reduced to tears on X Factor|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=September 29, 2013|access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> Im's performance of the song debuted at number 15 on the [[ARIA|Australian]] Singles Chart. Im later released a version of the song on her [[Dami Im (album)|self-titled album]],<ref name="AUS Chart">{{cite web|last=Hung |first=Steffen |url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dami+Im |title=Discography Dami Im |work=Australian Charts Portal |publisher=Hung Medien |access-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106164242/http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Dami+Im |archive-date=November 6, 2013 }}</ref> which debuted at number 1 in Australia, and was certified Platinum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-albums-2013.htm |title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Albums |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140205035615/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-albums-2013.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2014 }}</ref>

=== Artists for Grenfell Tower charity single ===
{{anchor|Artists for Grenfell charity single}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Bridge over Troubled Water
| cover      = File:Grenfell_Single.jpg
| alt        =
| type       = single
| artist     = Artists for Grenfell
| album      =
| released   = June 21, 2017
| recorded   = June 2017
| studio     = [[Sarm Studios]] (London, England)<ref>{{cite web | title='Bridge Over Troubled Water' – Artists for Grenfell | website=Sony Music UK | date=2017-06-20 | url=https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/bridge-over-troubled-water-artists-for-grenfell/ | access-date=2025-09-02}}</ref>
| venue      =
| genre      = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length     = 3:53
| label      = [[Syco Music|Syco]]
| writer     = [[Paul Simon]]
| producer   =
* [[Graham Stack (record producer)|Graham Stack]]
* [[Tokio Myers]]
* [[Trevor Horn]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
| misc       = {{External music video|{{YouTube|8O1CcwYf79I|"Bridge over Troubled Water"}}}} 
}}

To raise money for the families of the victims of the [[Grenfell Tower fire]] in June 2017 and for [[The London Community Foundation]], [[Simon Cowell]] arranged the recording and release of a charity single on June 21, 2017.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/20/simon-cowells-grenfell-tower-charity-single-available-from-8am-on-june-21-6723130/|title=Simon Cowell's Grenfell Tower charity single available from 8am on June 21|first=Rebecca Lewis for|last=Metro.co.uk|date=June 20, 2017|access-date=June 21, 2017}}</ref> London-born [[Grime (music genre)|grime]] artist [[Stormzy]] featured prominently, having written a fresh 16-line intro to the song which specifically referenced the tragedy. The recording reached number one on the [[UK Singles Chart]] on June 23, 2017 after just two days of availability, and was certified gold by the BPI on January 31, 2020.<ref>{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|accessdate=9 January 2022|artist=Artists for Grenfell|title=Bridge Over Troubled Water|id=1082-4434-1}}</ref><ref name="UKGrenfell"/> The artists were awarded with the [[Special Awards at MTV Europe Music Awards#Power of Music Award|Power of Music Award]] at the [[2017 MTV Europe Music Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2017 MTV EMA: Shawn Mendes Rules With 4 Awards! Here's The Full Winners List |url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/ikhohz/2017-ema-full-winners-list-shawn-mendes-wins-four |access-date=2022-05-24 |website=[[MTV UK]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-13 |title=MTV EMAs 2017: Shawn Mendes scoops three awards |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-41965661 |access-date=2022-05-24}}</ref>

==== Artists ====
The song was performed by the following artists (in order of appearance):<ref name="auto"/>

==== Instruments ====
* [[Brian May]] (of [[Queen (band)|Queen]]) – guitar
* [[Nile Rodgers]] – guitar
* [[Tokio Myers]] – piano
* [[Pete Townshend]] (of [[the Who]]) – guitar
{{Clear}}

==== Vocals ====
{{div col}}
* [[Stormzy]]
* [[Robbie Williams]]
* [[James Blunt]]
* [[Rita Ora]]
* [[Craig David]]
* [[Dan Smith (singer)|Dan Smith]] (of [[Bastille (band)|Bastille]])
* [[Liam Payne]]
* [[Emeli Sandé]]
* [[Kelly Jones]] (of [[Stereophonics]])
* [[Paloma Faith]]
* [[Louis Tomlinson]]
* [[Labrinth]]
* [[Jorja Smith]]
* [[WSTRN]]
* [[Leona Lewis]]
* [[Jessie J]]
* [[James Arthur]]
* [[Roger Daltrey]] (of [[the Who]])
* [[Ella Eyre]]
* [[Anne-Marie (singer)|Anne-Marie]]
* [[Ella Henderson]]
* [[Louisa Johnson]]
* [[5 After Midnight]]
* [[Angel (British musician)|Angel]]
* [[Carl Barât]] (of [[the Libertines]])
* [[Deno (singer)|Deno]]
* [[Donae'o]]
* [[Dua Lipa]]
* [[Fleur East]]
* [[Gareth Malone]] and The Choir for Grenfell
* [[Geri Halliwell]] (of [[Spice Girls]])
* [[Gregory Porter]]
* [[Jessie Ware]]
* [[John Newman (singer)|John Newman]]
* [[Jon McClure]] (of [[Reverend and the Makers]])
* [[London Community Gospel Choir]]
* [[Matt Goss]]
* [[Matt Terry]]
* [[Mr Eazi]]
* [[Nathan Sykes]]
* [[Omar Lye-Fook|Omar]]
* [[Pixie Lott]]
* [[Ray BLK]]
* [[Raye]]
* [[Shakka (singer)|Shakka]]
* [[Shane Filan]] (of [[Westlife]])
* [[Tom Grennan]]
* [[Tony Hadley]] (of [[Spandau Ballet]])
* [[Tulisa]]
{{div col end}}

==== Charts ====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "Bridge over Troubled Water"
! scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/07/aria-chart-watch-427/|title=ARIA Chart Watch #427|publisher=auspOp|date=July 1, 2017|access-date=July 1, 2017|archive-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827173531/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/07/aria-chart-watch-427/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 53
|-
{{single chart|Austria|32|artist=Artists for Grenfell|song=Bridge Over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=July 5, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders Tip|26|artist=Artists for Grenfell|song=Bridge Over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=July 7, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Finnishdownload|23|artist=Artists for Grenfell|song=Bridge Over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=July 2, 2017}}
|-
! scope="row"| France ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-singles-telecharges/?ye=2017&we=25|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés – SNEP (Week 25, 2017)|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique]]|language=fr|access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref>
| 111
|-
{{single chart|Hungarysingle|31|year=2017|week=25|rowheader=true|access-date=June 29, 2017}}
|-
! scope="row"| Ireland ([[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles|title=IRMA – Irish Charts|publisher=[[Irish Recorded Music Association]]|access-date=June 24, 2017}}</ref>
| 25
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Heatseekers ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2017-06-23|title=NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=June 23, 2017}}</ref>
| 4
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|1|date=2017-06-23|rowheader=true|access-date=June 24, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|28|artist=Artists for Grenfell|song=Bridge Over Troubled Water|rowheader=true|access-date=July 3, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|1|date=2017-06-23|rowheader=true|access-date=June 24, 2017|refname=UKGrenfell}}
|}

===Other covers===
{{overly detailed|section|date=August 2025}}
[[Willie Nelson]] covered the song in the closing ceremony of the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] in [[Salt Lake City]].<ref>{{cite news |title=OLYMPICS: CLOSING CEREMONY; Games End With a Mixture Of Rowdy Relief and Joy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/25/sports/olympics-closing-ceremony-games-end-with-a-mixture-of-rowdy-relief-and-joy.html |first=Mike |last=Wise |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 25, 2002}}</ref>

[[Mary J. Blige]], [[David Foster]], and [[Andrea Bocelli]] performed the song on January 31, 2010, during the [[52nd Grammy Awards]] ceremony, in the context of raising awareness for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |date=February 1, 2010 |title=Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli Brought 'Heavy Emotion' To Grammy Duet For Haiti |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1630999/mary-j-blige-andrea-bocelli-brought-heavy-emotion-to-grammy-duet-for-haiti/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127123447/http://www.mtv.com/news/1630999/mary-j-blige-andrea-bocelli-brought-heavy-emotion-to-grammy-duet-for-haiti/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 27, 2014 |newspaper=[[MTV]] }}</ref> This version reached number 75 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].

For [[BBC Children in Need]] in [[Children in Need 2012|2012]], over 2,500 children sang the song in unison from 15 towns across the UK.<ref name="CiN OB's">{{cite web|last=Condon|first=Paul|title=Live BBC Outside Broadcasts for Children in Need appeal night|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/childreninneed/posts/Live-BBC-Outside-Broadcasts-for-Children-in-Need-appeal-night|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419181204/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/childreninneed/posts/Live-BBC-Outside-Broadcasts-for-Children-in-Need-appeal-night|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2013|work=BBC Children in Need Blog|publisher=BBC|accessdate=17 November 2012|date=14 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2012-11-22 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, BBC Children in Need Choir: Around the UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011l8qv |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> The performance started in the studio before cutting between the choirs as they sang giving each choir around 15 seconds on air, this was all done in real time. However 5 of the choirs were not included in the link up shown on the night and were instead shown later on the highlights show.
They were led by [[Aled Jones]] who conducted the choir in the [[BBC Television Centre|London studio]].
The Choirs sang from: [[London]] at [[BBC Television Centre]] the studio where the main telethon was held, [[Aberdeen]] at The [[Beach Ballroom]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2012, Scotland's Best Bits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nzcd9 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Northumberland]] at [[Alnwick Garden|The Alnwick Garden]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref name=":0" /> [[Swindon]] at [[Museum of the Great Western Railway|Steam: Museum of the Great Western Railway]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9987913.school-choir-to-take-part-in-children-in-need-event/ | title=School choir to take part in Children in Need Event | date=October 17, 2012 }}</ref> [[Birmingham]] at [[The Mailbox]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/> [[Belfast]] at [[Broadcasting House, Belfast|The Broadcasting House]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2012, Northern Ireland's Best Bits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nz0p3 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[East Sussex]] at [[Glyndebourne]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20208705 | title=BBC South East's Children in Need Party 2012 | work=BBC News | date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref> [[Cardiff]] at [[Wales Millennium Centre|The BBC Hoddinott Hall]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, 2012, Wales' Best Bits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nz9v8 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Scunthorpe]] at [[Baths Hall]]<ref name="CiN OB's"/> and [[Winchester]] at [[Winchester Science Centre|Intech]].<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-17 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, BBC Children in Need Choir: Winchester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0119xk1 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> The choirs not included were: [[Cambridge]] at [[West Road, Cambridge|West Road Concert Hall]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-17 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, BBC Children in Need Choir: Cambridge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0119yd7 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Exeter]] at The Forum Library, [[University of Exeter|Exeter University]],<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/charities/event-exeter-part-biggest-bbc-children-need-night-ever | title=Event Exeter part of biggest BBC Children in Need night ever &#124; the Exeter Daily | date=November 22, 2012 }}</ref> [[Leicestershire]] at Conkers Discovery Centre,<ref name="CiN OB's"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-17 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, BBC Children in Need Choir: Leicestershire |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011b00g |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Rotherham]] at [[Magna Science Adventure Centre]]<ref name="CiN OB's"/> and [[Salford]] at [[BBC Philharmonic|The BBC Philharmonic Studio]] at [[MediaCityUK]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-20 |title=BBC - BBC Children in Need, BBC Children in Need Choir: Salford |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011h4q7 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On December 9, 2013, [[Tessanne Chin]] covered the song on [[The Voice (U.S. season 5)|season 5]] of [[NBC]]'s singing competition ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'' for the semifinal round. The song went to the number one spot on iTunes within 12 hours, with her becoming the first contestant to achieve the top chart position at the end of an applicable voting window that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvmediainsights.com/highlights/36288/the-voice-on-itunes-december-9-10-2013/ |title=Archived Document |access-date=December 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218115756/http://www.tvmediainsights.com/highlights/36288/the-voice-on-itunes-december-9-10-2013/ |archive-date=December 18, 2013 }}</ref>

"[[A Bridge over You]]", a charity single recorded and released independently by the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir, the choir of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust located in south-east London, was a mashup of "Bridge over Troubled Water" and [[Coldplay]]'s 2005 single "[[Fix You]]", with additional arrangement by the choir's conductor, Peter Mitchell. It reached number one on the UK Singles Chart at Christmas 2015.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

In August 2019, [[Kodi Lee]] covered the song on ''[[America's Got Talent]]'' in the quarter-finals of the competition. Simon Cowell revealed that Paul Simon personally signed off to allow him to sing the song within thirty minutes of the show producers asking for permission.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keegan|first=Kayla|date=August 14, 2019 |title='AGT' Judge Simon Cowell Told Kodi Lee a Secret About Paul Simon That Floored Fans|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a28699366/agt-kodi-lee-2019-judge-simon-cowell-secret/|newspaper=[[Good Housekeeping]] }}</ref>
*Irish musician [[Hozier (musician)|Hozier]] performed the song for the [[RTÉ]] fundraising special ''RTÉ'' ''Does Comic Relief'' in [[Croke Park]]. The performance was dedicated to those who died during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-26|title=Hozier wows viewers with 'stunning' Croker performance|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0626/1149944-hozier-wows-viewers-with-stunning-croker-performance/|language=en |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann }}</ref>

[[Matt Bellamy]] from [[Muse (band)|Muse]] released a cover on September 8, 2020, stating it is one of his "favorite songs of all time...We should all reach out and be there for our friends right now!"<ref>{{Cite magazine |first=Althea |last=Legaspi|date=2020-09-18|title=Hear Matt Bellamy of Muse Cover Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-matt-bellamy-of-muse-cover-simon-garfunkels-bridge-over-troubled-water-1062117 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en}}</ref>

In [[2022 Winter Olympics|2022 Beijing Winter Olympics]], the gold medalist pair of [[Figure skating at the 2022 Winter Olympics – Pair skating|pair skating]], [[Sui Wenjing]] & [[Han Cong]], adapted the mixed cover of this song, by [[Linda Eder]] and [[John Legend]], in their free skating programme with a stunning score, 155.47 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/19/sports/olympics/pairs-figure-skating-free-skate-finals.html|title=An Exclamation Point for China, Delivered by the Finest of Margins|first=Juliet|last=Macur|author-link=Juliet Macur|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=19 February 2022}}</ref>

[[Jacob Collier]] released an acapella rendition of the song featuring [[John Legend]], [[Tori Kelly]], and uncredited vocals from [[Yebba]] as part of his album [[Djesse Vol. 4]] on February 22, 2024, as the last single.<ref name="O'Brien 2024">{{cite news |title=Yebba, Jacob Collier transform Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' |url=https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/yebba-jacob-collier-bridge-over-troubled-water-watch |last=O'Brien |first=Andrew |work=Live for Live |date=2024-02-24 |access-date=2024-02-25 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005184415/https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/yebba-jacob-collier-bridge-over-troubled-water-watch/ |url-status=live}}</ref> His rendition won a [[Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella]] at the [[67th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/jacob-collier/19622|title=Jacob Collier|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|access-date=September 21, 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Bennighof|first=James|title=The Words and Music of Paul Simon|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=978-0-275-99163-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ShBhKL-9SLIC}}
* {{cite book|last=Browne|first=David|title=Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2012|isbn=978-0-306-82072-4|url=https://archive.org/details/firerainbeatless00brow|url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book|last=Charlesworth|first=Chris|chapter=Bridge Over Troubled Water|title=The Complete Guide to the Music of Paul Simon and Simon & Garfunkel|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=1997|isbn=0-7119-5597-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Ebel|first=Roswitha|title=Paul Simon: seine Musik, sein Leben|trans-title=Paul Simon: His Music, His Life|publisher=epubli|year=2004|isbn=978-3-937729-00-8|language=de|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5tGr0Ufh_0EC}}
* {{cite book |first=Marc |last=Eliot | title= Paul Simon: A Life | publisher= John Wiley and Sons | year= 2010 | isbn= 978-0-470-43363-8  | url= https://archive.org/details/paulsimonlife0000elio |url-access=registration }}
* {{cite book|last=Fornatale|first=Pete|title=Simon and Garfunkel's Bookends|year=2007|publisher=Rodale|isbn=978-1-59486-427-8}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{YouTube|WrcwRt6J32o|"Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water (from The Concert in Central Park)"}}

{{Simon & Garfunkel singles}}
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