Simon & Garfunkel’s “America” is one of those rare songs that seems to grow deeper with every listen. Released in 1968 on their album Bookends, the track is more than a story of two young lovers traveling across the country—it’s a poignant meditation on hope, disillusionment, identity, and what it means to search for something bigger than yourself. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind America, break down the lyrics, examine the song’s historical and cultural context, and reflect on why it still resonates so powerfully today.
A Brief Overview: When Was “America” Written and Released?
“America” was written by Paul Simon in 1968, during a period of immense social and political upheaval in the United States. The Vietnam War was escalating, the civil rights movement was challenging the status quo, and the counterculture was in full swing. The song was first released on the album Bookends and later gained even more recognition when it was included in the soundtrack of the 1969 film Easy Rider.
Musically, the track begins with soft acoustic guitar, gradually building in orchestration and intensity. It’s structured as a journey, both literal and metaphorical, told from the perspective of a young man traveling with his girlfriend Kathy. But like many of Simon’s best lyrics, its power lies in its subtlety.
The Lyrics: A Journey Begins
Let’s start by taking a closer look at some of the song’s most iconic lyrics:
“Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together”
Right out of the gate, the song establishes itself as a tale of young love. The narrator and Kathy are embarking on a road trip, symbolic of both romantic and existential exploration. This line evokes the spirit of the American dream—setting out together, optimistic, idealistic, ready to chase happiness.
“I’ve got some real estate here in my bag”
This whimsical line immediately undercuts the previous one with a touch of irony. The “real estate” is a pack of cigarettes, not a deed to a house. It’s a moment that captures the tension between dreams and reality, a theme that runs through the whole song.
The Bus Ride as a Metaphor
The heart of “America” takes place on a Greyhound bus:
“So we bought a pack of cigarettes, and Mrs. Wagner’s pies / And walked off to look for America”
This simple act—buying snacks and boarding a bus—is elevated into a profound metaphor for searching for meaning. They’re “looking for America,” not in a geographical sense, but in an emotional and philosophical one. What is America? Is it a place, a feeling, a promise?
Later in the song, the narrator reflects inward:
“‘Kathy,’ I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh, / ‘Michigan seems like a dream to me now.’”
This lyric captures the fleeting, dreamlike nature of the journey. Even as it’s happening, it feels like a memory. There’s a sense that the narrator is growing older, more cynical, right before our ears.
Alienation and the Search for Belonging
One of the most haunting parts of the song comes near the end:
“‘And the moon rose over an open field’”
This line shifts the perspective from the busy, noisy bus to a wide, silent landscape. It’s a moment of stillness and introspection. The moon, often symbolic of loneliness and introspection in literature, casts its pale light over the scene, underlining the emotional isolation of the narrator.
Then comes the gut-punch:
“Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike / They’ve all come to look for America”
This is the emotional climax of the song. Suddenly, it’s not just the narrator and Kathy who are lost or searching—it’s everyone. The highways are full of people chasing dreams, looking for meaning, identity, and belonging. This is where the song shifts from a personal love story to a national statement. The disillusionment isn’t just his; it’s collective.
Kathy: A Real Person, A Symbol
Kathy isn’t just a character in the song—she was a real person. Paul Simon was in a relationship with a woman named Kathy Chitty in the mid-1960s, and she appears in several of his songs, including “Kathy’s Song” and “Homeward Bound.” In America, Kathy represents more than just a girlfriend; she is a symbol of innocence, youth, and a simpler time.
The fading presence of Kathy throughout the song mirrors the narrator’s increasing sense of loneliness and detachment. Even though they are physically traveling together, emotionally they are drifting apart. The narrator begins to realize that even the company of a loved one can’t protect him from the existential questions that haunt him.
The Broader Context: 1960s America
To understand “America,” it helps to look at the time in which it was written. The late 1960s were a turning point in American history. The idealism of the early decade—the belief that progress and peace were just around the corner—was giving way to skepticism and unrest.
The assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the war in Vietnam, the protests and riots across the country—these events were part of a national disillusionment. Many young people were questioning what “America” truly meant, especially compared to what they were taught it should mean.
“America” by Simon and Garfunkel captures this uncertainty with poetic grace. It doesn’t preach or provide answers. Instead, it reflects the confusion, the yearning, and the quiet despair of a generation trying to find its place in a shifting landscape.
Musical Elements that Enhance the Message
From a musical standpoint, “America” is masterfully arranged. It starts quietly, with just Simon’s voice and acoustic guitar. Gradually, layers are added—Art Garfunkel’s harmony, subtle percussion, and eventually swelling strings. The crescendo toward the end of the song mirrors the emotional journey of the narrator.
The pacing is also significant. There’s a deliberate slowness to the tempo that forces the listener to sit with the lyrics, to feel the weight of the silences between words. It’s a meditative experience, one that invites introspection.
The Enduring Legacy of “America”
More than five decades after it was written, “America” remains one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most beloved and profound songs. It’s been covered by artists from David Bowie to First Aid Kit. It’s been used in political campaigns, movie soundtracks, and countless personal playlists.
Why does it still resonate?
Because the themes are timeless. The search for identity, the feeling of disillusionment, the gap between youthful optimism and adult reality—these are all parts of the human experience. And in a world where many still feel lost or disconnected, “America” continues to speak with quiet urgency.
Conclusion: So, What Is “America” by Simon and Garfunkel About?
At its core, “America” is about the journey—both literal and metaphorical—that each of us takes in search of meaning. It’s about love and loneliness, dreams and disillusionment, connection and alienation. It’s a song that captures a moment in history while also transcending it.
Through poetic lyrics, rich harmonies, and understated musical beauty, Simon & Garfunkel created a piece of art that invites reflection without demanding answers. It’s not just a song about America—it’s a song about us, about the space between who we are and who we hope to be.