CONFOUNDS THE SCIENCE (Parody of Sound of Silence)

posted in: Parody, Political Parody, Trump Parodies | 160





A key element to the administration of 45 is to dismantle the role of science in decision-making going so far as to attempt the elimination of the use of the terms “science-based” and “evidence-based” from the CDCs reporting structure. Yes, I know that was denied, and of course they denied it. What else would they do when they got busted for it? Sound of Silence / Confounds the Science:

 

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LYRICS to CONFOUNDS THE SCIENCE
(Written by Don Caron – Music by Simon & Garfunkel)

Hello darkness my old friend.
It’s time for him to tweet again,
but first he’ll have to check in with fox news
‘cause that’s the only place he gets his clues.
That’s how things get planted in his brain,
where they remain,
and it confounds the science.

The problem is he’s not alone.
He tweets to people on his phone
that global warming is a giant hoax
perpetuated by the liberal folks,
and he hires people that all think the same,
that play his game
and it confounds the science.

When he talks to crowds of four
he sees ten thousand maybe more,
believing they all think he’s god on earth
and was the product of a virgin birth
and if you disagree you’re the victim of fake news
or feminist shrews
and it confounds the science.

“Fools,” says he, “you do not know
it makes me smart from so much dough.
I know exactly where the problems are.”
But his solutions are beyond bizarre
‘cause his words never quite a sentence make
and thus he spake
and it confounds the science.

No limits on pollution now.
There’s not a thing we don’t allow.
Dump the garbage in the waterway.
Spray the toxins where your children play.
All the signs say that life on the planet is headed for a downward fall.
Go to the mall,
and continue to confound the science.

Copyright 2017 Parody Project

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORIGINAL SONG
Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel

sound of silence album cover parody projectA year later, inspired by the Byrds’ version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” (a Dylan song), Tom Wilson, the producer of the Simon & Garfunkel album decided to release The Sound of Silence again with some amped up guitar parts. This new version was an instant hit. The two got together back in the States and set out to create a follow-up hit, which they did, with “I am a Rock.” Both songs were released on an album titled “Sounds of Silence” in January of 1966.

The creative motivation behind the song has never been completely clarified though there have been many theories put forth in the last fifty years. At the time it was released, there was wide-spread speculation that Sound of Silence was a commentary on the John F. Kennedy assassination since the song was released on the radio only 90 days after he was killed. That theory was debunked by Paul Simon himself, when he pointed out in an interview that he penned the lyrics when he was 21 years old, which was prior to the Kennedy assassination. Simon’s explanation was that he liked to write music in the bathroom, in the dark, with the water running. Thus the opening lyric, “Hello darkness, my old friend.”

According to Art Garfunkel’s version of the story, the original lyric Simon wrote was “Aloha darkness, my old friend.”[Wiki Reference] Garfunkel described the song’s meaning (in the fashion of the times) as a depiction of people’s inability to communicate emotionally, “so what you see around you are people unable to love each other.” [Wiki Reference]

When speaking with Terry Gross (NPR) in a National Public Radio interview, Paul Simon elaborated on how he wrote Sound of Silence while working at his first real music job:

  • “It was just when I was coming out of college. My job was to take the songs that this huge publishing company owned and go around to record companies and see if any of their artists wanted to record the songs. I worked for them for about six months and never got a song placed, but I did give them a couple of my songs because I felt so guilty about taking their money. Then I got into an argument with them and said, ‘Look, I quit, and I’m not giving you my new song.’ And the song that I had just written was ‘The Sound of Silence.’ I thought, ‘I’ll just publish it myself,’ and from that point on I owned my own songs, so that was a lucky argument.“I think about songs that it’s not just what the words say but what the melody says and what the sound says. My thinking is that if you don’t have the right melody, it really doesn’t matter what you have to say, people don’t hear it. They only are available to hear when the sound entrances and makes people open to the thought. Really the key to ‘The Sound of Silence’ is the simplicity of the melody and the words, which are youthful alienation. It’s a young lyric, but not bad for a 21-year-old. It’s not a sophisticated thought, but a thought that I gathered from some college reading material or something. It wasn’t something that I was experiencing at some deep, profound level – nobody’s listening to me, nobody’s listening to anyone – it was a post-adolescent angst, but it had some level of truth to it and it resonated with millions of people. Largely because it had a simple and singable melody.”
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160 Responses

  1. jessica rabbit porn

    Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and
    gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
    There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  2. David Allwright

    Only watched it 10 times. I have lost count of the times I have listened to. By far the best of all the parodies

  3. Ora

    I have listened to all the songs by the Parody Project and in my opinion, “The Confounds of Silence” is still the best, though some of the others come close. I never get tired of listening to it and have listened to it at least 10 times.

  4. Donald L'Ecuyer

    The power of music! Words that would not have grabbed our attention become viral once put to music. This is exactly what I was attempting to do some 30 years ago when I put MAD magazine texts to music, hoping to produce a show off off Broadway. Here is once such song I made a video with right after the last elections. I thought the message was still very actual. Please enjoy this parody of american elections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDBgYPfId5U By the way: the author of your lyrics is a Donald – so am I. Since I play al the instruments in my song, I called my band THE DONS.

  5. Bill

    Tannenbaum tenure
    Chorus:
    Oh, Donnie John, Oh Donnie John,
    Bob Mueller’s got his game face on.
    Oh, Donnie John, Oh Donnie John,
    Bob Mueller’s got his game face on.

    He does not care for alternate facts,
    For made up news or tweet attacks.
    Chorus:
    Laundered monies he will find
    Your empire’s lifeline is a crime
    Chorus:
    Putin’s input with your help
    Could put the hurt down on your whelp
    Chorus:
    Con-spir-a-cy is treasonous
    Your vaunted win will be your loss
    Chorus:
    He found a Papadopolous,
    Which for Sessions is great loss
    Chorus:
    He’s stormed the Gates of Manafort
    And soon on you he’ll have the dirt
    Chorus:
    He flipped the Flynn at Christmas time,
    So Happy Holliday’s you slime!!!
    Chorus:
    Impeachment soon is on the way.
    Oh, that will do a happy day!

    Oh, Donnie John, Oh Donnie John,
    Bob Mueller’s got his game face on.
    Oh, Donnie John, Oh Donnie John,
    He’ll get the facts, then you’ll be gone…

  6. Rachael

    This is brilliant. Who is the other singer performing in this video?

  7. Mike Broutsas

    Is it me or is that Howard Stern singing the Garfunkel portion of the duet???

  8. admin

    Hi Jennifer, if you copy the URL at the top of this page which looks like this: parodyproject.com/parody-sound-of-silence/ you can paste it into your Facebook comment box which is at the top of your newsfeed.

  9. Henk

    I truly love the way you use music/lyrics to fight this silly man. You are ‘killing him softly with your songs’. I am distributing this in the Netherlands. Keep this great work going!

  10. Susan

    Music is such an basic part of our human culture! …and THIS music will strengthen our resolve to get beyond this twit and his idiotic syncophants!

  11. Susan Rolle

    Odd how a long ago song could be so perfectly parodied with a recent message. Another message – “why won’t they ever learn?”

  12. Gloria

    I agree…keep sharing so this
    Goes viral…these
    Guys deserve some TV spots!

  13. Californiakate

    Confounds of Science – not Sounds of Science – – Laughed so hard, I got confounded!

  14. Californiakate

    This duo should perform ‘The Sound of Science’ on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show! Brilliant!

  15. Alex B

    I think what Steven meant is that we very seldom speak based on science, or on some kind of rigorous reasoning – mostly I can see here or on majority of networks a speak based on ideology, left or right, which is unfortunate… but parody itself is excellent anyway.

  16. Teresa

    Love your parody, too. I wish they would have said ‘go build a wall’ instead “go to the mall”, but it is an excellent song. I really enjoyed and I shared it with my friends.

  17. Thomas NAGLE

    Absolutely true to the word, & that shoe fits.
    Thankyou for sharing this one , Really enjoyed

  18. Leslie Sterling

    Excellent work!!! Outstanding parody–everything scans and rhymes perfectly.

    I saw the link to the Boxer parody also. Wonderful!!!

    Nitpick: the Sounds of SIlence album was released in 1966. Signed, someone old enough to remember when the album was released.

  19. Deborah H Redman

    Pitch perfect. I am bookmarking to listen over and over. A quick go-to happy place in these dark times. I really want to send to old friend who voted for Trump. We were 9 when the original came out. She was going to vote for Bernie, then…Emails. Hillary body bags. Crazy.

    But your parodies might be the dragon fire that melts the wall.

  20. David L Njus

    How about posting this someplace that it can be downloaded?
    Checked Colbert Report and couldn’t find anything.

  21. David L Njus

    Absolutely the best song and message EVER…………

  22. admin

    I love that, Craig. Can we use it? We’ll give you credit for writing it of course. (We don’t make any money at this so we can’t pay you for it.)

  23. Becky Gilbert

    LOVE your version of “Donny Boy” though maybe it should be “Donkey Boy” since Trump is an actual ASS….

  24. Sheldon Krueger

    Laughter may be the best to accomplish anything in this age of the hair.

  25. Stanley

    Took a lotof time to put together. However when Obama gap 1% never better. Since Trump gap 3% having rid the Obama restrains on business.

  26. Vanessa Lloyd platt

    As a Brit this confirms my suspicions that you Americans have the greatest sense of humour. Can’t stop laughing. Great video should be played everywhere til it wears out. The world would definately be a happier place. Maybe it would make Kim Jon laugh and stop firing missiles!!!! Thank you for this gift of genius!!! Vanessa

  27. Betsy

    Absolutely and totally hilarious and satisfying! Really homes in on the target, clever lyrics, deadpan faces as they deliver… hurrah for American sense of humor

  28. Heddie

    Thanks for reflection on the importance of parody. Love it … Laughter, provocation, thoughts and reflection … huumm … not a bad mix … Like the cocktail … sláinte

  29. Heddie

    Love it …. super …
    Unlike the physical sciences, sociology (and other social sciences, like anthropology) also often seek simply to understand social phenomena. Max Weber labeled this approach Verstehen, which is German for understanding.

  30. Ursula Dyck

    Amazing talent and message of our times. I loved how the female guitar player played, never looking up…a sense of sadness, compassion and earnestness. I loved the male singer, I don’t know his name either. He went right to the core of my soul, lovely rendition of this classic song.

  31. John Smith

    You mean Anthropogenic causes? AKA “originating in human activity.”

    Anthropogenic Global Warming or Climate Change due to the burning of fossil fuels which has vastly increased the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, otherwise know as greenhouse gasses which trap heat by preventing the radiation back into space. Has been confirmed by the vast majority of climatologists, including Gavin Schmidt and David Hansen of NASA GISS. Other institutions which confirm the theory include NOAA and Britain’s Met Office.

    Make the check out to me.

  32. Steven Easley

    Not a single person here can name the science, the theories involved, the theories and hypothesis underlying it, the state of confirmation of the theories, the names of the greatest of the scientists or institutions making the link with Anthropologic causes. Not a single one of you can and I will bet you $1,000 you can’t.

  33. Craig Harris

    I buried my parody in the middle of the comments list so am posting it for availability.
    Sent it to Colbert Report last week.
    Fantastic parody…

    Donny Boy (adapted from the original)

    Oh, Donny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
    From Mar-a-Lago, and down Trump Tower side.
    The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
    It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.

    Do not come ye back when summer’s in the meadow,
    Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,
    For I’ll be on guard in sunshine or in shadow,
    Oh Donny boy, Donny boy, it’s you must go!

    But since you’ve come, and all the joy is dying,
    And the show is dead, as dead as well may be,
    All have come to know that you are lying,
    And kneel and say you’re the fake news source you see;

    And I shall hear, though soft you tread away from me,
    And late my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
    For you will leave and none left there shall grieve thee,
    But return the peace torn from the land of the free!

  34. Craig Harris

    Not an economist are you?

    Donny Boy (adapted from the original)

    Oh, Donny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
    From Mar-a-Lago, and down Trump Tower side.
    The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling,
    It’s you, it’s you must go and I must bide.

    Do not come ye back when summer’s in the meadow,
    Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow,
    For I’ll be on guard in sunshine or in shadow,
    Oh Donny boy, Donny boy, it’s you must go!

    But since you’ve come, and all the joy is dying,
    And the show is dead, as dead as well may be,
    All have come to know that you are lying,
    And kneel and say you’re the fake news source you see;

    And I shall hear, though soft you tread away from me,
    And late my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
    For you will leave and none left there shall grieve thee,
    But return the peace torn from the land of the free!

  35. Carroll Hughes

    As a wise man once said,
    “Only a fool would argue with an idiot” (pick your favorite; the uneducated and dependent on Fox for information).
    So sad.

  36. Lucia

    I’m loving it! Playing over and over and sharing with friends. THANKS SO MUCH!

  37. Tom Hebert

    With such humor and wisdom this song reminds me that our republic is worth saving.
    Thank you!

  38. Lynda Williams

    FANTASTIC!!!!
    Says it all. Thanks for sending.
    L Williams

  39. Marie Leach

    Love it! Are we allowed to ask who is singing this version?

  40. Heather Wood

    If ever there was a perfect song parody, this is it. Awesome job. Just simply awesome.

  41. Yelda Miedema

    Parody set to the tune of my all-time favourite anthem of the 60’s just doesn’t get any better! The irony is not lost on this geezer that our environment is today under greater threat from the bat-shit crazy, short-fingered vulgarian bent on “getting even” with Obama than at any time since the dawn of the environmental movement in the 60’s when this song first hit the charts. I’m transported back 5 decades in time every time I hear it!

  42. Bo

    People everywhere,
    Kindly share this “virally” with others you know, around the globe.
    The majority of this country’s citizens are sane, sorry, furious and ever more activated, politically.
    Word of this we wish to world to hear.
    Thanks.

  43. Scott Mooneyham

    And the term he was planning is left undone/Congress can’t pass health care repeal/Even McConnell hates him now/Guess to Maro-Lago he’ll steal
    And so now you see he has come to doubt/His entire White House staff/Going to have to fire them all/Get Ivanka to do budget and wall-paying math

  44. Scott Mooneyham

    I hear the drizzle from his brain/From another Tweet it falls/ harsh and harmful, continuing/Calling for Mexico to build a wall
    From the shelter of White House rooms/He speaks not in words but Tweets/Longing for Trump Tower/To where his gold walls keep
    His mind is distracted and diffused/Mexico refused to pay for that wall/What will his voters think/When they hear the Mexican prez on that phone call

  45. admin

    Hi Bruce, we weren’t expecting such a quick and enormous response so we’re not currently able to address that issue. But we’ll get back to you as soon as we get legal advice on the copyright issues for airplay. Thanks a bunch, Don

  46. Eileene Haslam

    Thank you sooooo much I listened to it 5 times. Sent it to my kids for their enjoynent

  47. Dutch

    Especially great for those of us that were fans of S&G back in the day.

  48. Nannie van der Wijk-Veldhuizen

    You are the best! And so true and itis so funny.

    Hugs from Amsterdam
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxsies Nannie Bowie

  49. LaVonne A Bunt

    This is brilliant & really nails it! Wonderful.

  50. Harvey F

    Very funny…..our points of view here seem to be changing a little…not the tweeting, but the actions and accomplishments…
    It seems weekly, a scandal comes, then it goes, and the media sensationalizes and then forgets about it the next week. So far, the results, however, have been positive, although the media would have you think differently.

  51. Linda Hildebrant

    Love it and yet so deadly sad for our planet and possibly the human race.

  52. TJM

    What scares me is not Trump, but the Romp and stomp his supporters dump
    What confounds me is not the stupidity of the lot, but the innocence and illiteracy of his flock
    What dismays me is not the who we chose to lead, but the size of the basket deplorables can weave.
    TJM

  53. Nann L.

    That was pretty awesome. Tr— I can’t say his name, ’cause he confounds my mind!

  54. Beryle Chambers

    Oh, I’ll bet Paul Simon would LOVE this! Every line is weird but true. Their delivery is fabulous. A their message is timely. I’m holding up a lighted candle…

  55. Fred Sader

    Unfortunately a wonderfully true look at our President.

  56. John Dunbar

    Now that’s a cute little ditty that actually made me laugh. Unfortunately, If the left wing snowflakes are correct about climate change and wildlife loss, then the only solution is to eliminate left wing policies like open immigration and the welfare lifestyle that drastically increase consumption of our world’s natural resources.
    Sorry if the truth makes you feel funny in your belly.

  57. Lionel

    A great explanation of the Trump world in an excellent song, love it 🙂

  58. Lynda

    I’ve just shared this again. It’s absolutely brilliant! And I’ve watched it so many times I actually know most of the verses! OMG whoever came up with this one deserves props big time!

  59. Steven Hassenplug

    A friend posted this to FB today and I LOVE IT!! I can’t stop playing it!
    The lyrics and performance are FANTASTIC!

    I want to know who these people are; and more on their background! Please share more info about this very talented duo!!
    Thank you! Peace!

  60. Kay

    So good! Distribute it widely and use the funds to help stop Trump!

  61. Ashe Macy

    Brillant lyrics, tragic reality. Thank you. I sent links to friends.

  62. Vera

    Wonderful! Except, of course, that it’s all too true…

  63. Carol Vineberg

    This paroady is clever and fabulous. I can’t wait to share it. On another note it will be interesting to see how Trump handles the the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. He wil probably mess up and blame Obama.

  64. Coyote Grant

    This is The perfection of parody, blending tongue biting irony with the quality of comedic existentialism. Well done, chaps, well done !

  65. Nancy Cale

    Great message, maybe if this goes viral, it will attract attention and action

  66. Geraldine BAILEY

    May the Lord continue to bless and heal us as we go on being led blindly by someone who does not care to see, feel, listen or taste his leadership of not only America but of the World.

  67. Bruce Harkins

    would like to find out more info about the vocalist and when it was done work on a small community station here in Australia and would like to give it some airplay, any information and permission to play it on air would be appreciated

  68. Robert Bender

    Right on!! I am certain that S & G also approve. Yet, it is so sad that we must relieve our disappointment, anger, fear, etc. with such parodies.

  69. Jason

    Not sure which is worse:
    Disagree = victim of fake news
    or
    Disagree = racist (last 8 years)
    Thus the degradation of democracy continues!

  70. Don J. Thorpe

    Simply brilliant! I also love the Tweeter song! Please do more! We all need more parody songs right now!

  71. Audrey Paley

    Trumpeting nonsense, though this parody makes much more sense than he does. Beautifully done. Thank you.???

  72. Bill Storey

    OUTSTANDING!!!!!! I loved the original song, and this one ranks right up there !!

  73. Audrey

    Please consider reaching out to Stephen Colbert (late show) or one of the other late shows. I’d love to see this act go national.

  74. Dani

    I hope that one goes viral! A great tune given a new pointed message that didn’t even need to exaggerate all that much. Really well done. I’m sharing it everywhere I can.

  75. Michael Lehner

    Love it. I’m painting my basement. I’m retired. After it is painted, I’m going to hide down there and live out my life on a steady diet of bangers and mash.

  76. Marilyn Koshland

    CLEVER AND TIMELY! APPRECIATE THE CREATIVITY AND THE MESSAGE! TRUMP IS A HORROR!

  77. Marilyn Koshland

    Clever and timely! Appreciate the creativity and the message!

  78. Richelle Edwards

    Trumpola ready to destroy the earth, species and water we need to survive.
    SAD

  79. Susan Waters

    Wonderful! There is so little tp smile about these days!

  80. April Beasley

    Love this, very funny with an important message!
    Thank you for the laugh.

  81. Sue Luppert

    Oh my, that is absolutely fabulous!!! Thank you.