Simon & Garfunkel - The Dangling Conversation (1966)
6This is an experimental video I did back in 2016 using a scene from the David Lynch film, Inland Empire (2006). Although "The Dangling Conversation" was written by Paul Simon
about a married couple or two lovers no longer able to communicate, I found it strangely appropriate for these three friends. The film has been edited to match the mood and
length of the work by Paul Simon, and although the action and setting does not match the lyrics exactly, they do nonetheless dramatize the idea. The setting is outside rather than indoors, they are not drinking coffee but share a beverage anyway, the evening is beginning to settle in and slowly disperse the hot sunny afternoon. Most importantly, they do not really communicate (like the married couple in the song), speaking past each other and not understanding what one another is saying.
This is one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs ever recorded, both because of the lyrics and the very beautiful and haunting melody. Ironically it is not one of Paul Simon's favorites (I have read). The song peaked at #10 at Cash Box on September 10, 1966 and at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 2, 1966.