Top 10 Art Garfunkel Songs

Photo: Joost Evers / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Art Garfunkel Songs list takes a listen to one of the most angelic voices in classic rock history. This article presents many of the gorgeous songs Art Garfunkel released as a solo artist after the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. After celebrating one of the most successful runs a pop music duo had ever had, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel turned towards solo careers at the start of the 1970s. While this article won’t explain the reasons behind the split, it will examine some highlights of Art Garfunkel’s solo recording career. Many came in the mid-1970s, when Art Garfunkel released a series of albums featuring some of the most stunning vocal performances ever…

# 10 – Wonderful World

We open our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list with an exceptional recording entitled “Wonderful World.” This is the ultimate version of this song, recorded by many. This stirring and touching recording featured the vocals of Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, and James Taylor. Listen to them trade verses, then harmonize. Are you in tears yet? The song was released on the album entitled Watermark. It was the second single released from the album. The album was released in 1978. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Easy Listening Charts, peaking at number one. “Wonderful World” was written by Sam Cooke.

# 9 – Crying In The Rain

This one is so good it’s almost too hard to take. Continuing with our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list, we take a listen to the great Everly Brothers song entitled “Crying In The Rain.” This is a stunning duet between Art Garfunkel and the legendary voice of the majestic James Taylor. These two just harmonized so perfectly together. The arrangement is not overwhelming in production because who would want to get in the way of these two. The song was released on the album entitled Up ’til Now. The album was released in 1994.

# 8 – Break Away

In the number eight spot on our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list, we present the title track to Art Garfunkel’s grand 1975 album entitled Breakaway. This was an album featuring many of the legends of classic rock history, including David Crosby and Graham Nash on background vocals, along with Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille. Paul Simon also played guitar on the album as well as co-lead vocals on “My Little Town.” Also appearing was the great Nicky Hopkins on piano, who had played on so many great Rolling Stones records and Beatles songs. Other guest appearances by stars and musicians on the album also included Stephen Bishop, Andrew Gold, Steve Cropper, Russ Kunkel, Jim Keltner, and so many more greats.

# 7 – Second Avenue

In the seventh position on our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list is the captivating song “Second Avenue.” This was a great cover version of a Tim Moore song that Art Garfunkel recorded in 1974. It was actually the same year Time Moore released his own version of the song. “Second Avenue” was only released as a single by Art Garfunkel. It did not appear on any of his studio albums. The song was a top 40 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number thirty-four. The song broke onto the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts and became a top 10 hi,t peaking at number eight.

# 6 -Bright Eyes

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list, we present the beautiful song “Bright Eyes.” The song was released on the album entitled Fate for Breakfast. The album was released in 1979. This was a huge hit single for Art Garfunkel in the United Kingdom, where it hit the number one spot and stayed there for weeks. The Celtic vibe of the song proved to fuel its success on the eastern side of the Atlantic, where it also hit number one in Ireland. The song was not as big a hit in the United States, as it did not even break into the US Billboard Hot 100. However, it reached number twenty-nine on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts.

# 5 – I Only Have Eyes For You

At the halfway point on our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs, we present Art Garfunkel’s charming cover version of the classic song “I Only Have Eyes For You.” This song was originally composed in 1934 by Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin. The Flamingos had a big hit with it in the late 1950s, and Cliff Richard also had a hit single with it in 1966.

Art Garfunkel’s cover of “I Only Have Eyes For You” was recorded for the Breakaway album. The album was released in 1975. “I Only Have Eyes For You” was the second single released from the album. The song broke onto the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts, peaking at number one. In the United Kingdom, the song also hit number one. “I Only Have Eyes For You” was also a top 20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eighteen.

# 4 – My Little Town

Yes, we know this song, “My Little Town,” performed by Simon & Garfunkel, makes it an official Simon & Garfunkel song. Or does it? Actually, as many fans who grew up in the 70s probably remember, Simon & Garfunkel had broken up a couple of years before they recorded this song together. There was no new Simon & Garfunkel album released when this single was released. Instead, the song appeared on the solo albums of both Paul Simon (Still Crazy After All These Years) and Art Garfunkel (Breakaway). The song was released as a joint single to help promote both of those fantastic solo albums. So, while it remains a much-loved Simon & Garfunkel song, it qualifies as a solo Art Garfunkel tune as it was released on Art Garfunkel’s solo album Breakaway. How’s that argument? Ultimately, it doesn’t matter because it’s such a fantastic song.

# 3 – Watermark

In the third position on our Art Garfunkel songs list, we present “Watermark.” The song’s sparse arrangement is fueled by an arpeggiated acoustic guitar lick that carries Art Garfunkel’s wondrous vocals, embracing the listener on a ride of sheer beauty. The song was released on the album Watermark. The album was released in 1977. The song was never released as a single. This is one of a series of gorgeous songs written by Jimmy Webb that Art Garfunkel recorded for the album.

# 2 – Looking for the Right One

Just off the top spot on our top 10 Art Garfunkel songs list, we celebrate the song “Looking for the Right One.” The song was released as the B-side to the single “I Only Have Eyes for You.” However, we always loved the B side better. This amazing song was released on the album Breakaway. The song was written by the brilliant songwriter Stephen Bishop, who also released a version of it a few years later on his album Bish.

# 1 -All I Know

Simply put, Art Garfunkel’s recording of “All I Know” is one of the most beautiful recordings ever released. Every aspect of this stunning song is among the greatest songs ever released. The song’s melody, chord changes, and heartwarming lyrics are as heavenly as it gets. The strings wrap around Art Garfunkel’s gorgeous voice like loving angels. And, of course, there’s the voice of Art Garfunkel and his breathtaking performance of the song that is easily the best of his career. Songwriter Jimmy Webb composed so many great songs throughout his career. “All I Know” is easily one of his best.

The song “All I Know” was released on the Angel Clare album. The album was released in 1973. This was Art Garfunkel’s first studio album after the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. “All I Know” was the first single released from the album. It is the highest-charting song of Art Garfunkel’s solo career on the Billboard Hot 100. Only “My Little Town,” which we mentioned before, charted as high, but of course, that song included Paul Simon. The song “All I Know” reached number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100. However, the song would sail on its wings to number one on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts.

The song “All I Know” was also a number-one hit on the Canadian Adult Contemporary Charts. In the U.S., the song also hit number six on the U.S. Cash Box Top 100. On the Australian ARIA Music Sales Charts, the song hit number thirty-six. The song was a hit in New Zealand, reaching number 17. One of our other favorite versions of the song was recorded by Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Webb on the 2010 album Just Across The River.

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