<P> The song became Simon & Garfunkel's biggest hit single, and it is often considered their signature song . It was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, and it also topped the charts in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and New Zealand . It was a top five hit in eight other countries as well, eventually selling over six million copies worldwide, making it among the best - selling singles . It became one of the most performed songs of the twentieth century, with over 50 artists, among them Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, covering the song . It was ranked number 48 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time . </P> <P> "Bridge over Troubled Water" was composed by Paul Simon very quickly, so much so that he asked himself, "Where did that come from? It doesn't seem like me ." The chorus lyrics were partly inspired by Claude Jeter's line "I'll be your bridge over deep water if you trust in me," which Jeter sang with his group, the Swan Silvertones, in the 1958 song "Mary Don't You Weep ." According to gospel producer and historian Anthony Heilbut, Simon later acknowledged his musical debt to Jeter in person, and additionally handed Jeter a check as compensation . Simon wrote the song initially on guitar but decided to transpose it to the piano, to both better reflect the gospel influence and to suit Garfunkel's voice . </P> <P> When Simon showed the song to his partner, he informed him that he felt Garfunkel should sing it by himself, the "white choirboy way ." Garfunkel declined, feeling it was not right for him and believing that Simon should sing it . Garfunkel reportedly liked Simon's falsetto on the demo and suggested that Simon sing . He and producer Roy Halee also thought the song needed three verses and a' bigger' sound toward the end . Simon agreed and penned the final verse, though he felt it was less than fully cohesive with the earlier verses . The final verse was written about Simon's then - wife Peggy Harper, who had noticed her first gray hairs ("Sail on, silvergirl"). It does not refer to a drug abuser's hypodermic needle, as is sometimes claimed . The verse was Garfunkel's idea, and Simon has never cared for it . </P> <P> "Bridge over Troubled Water" was the final track to be recorded but the first one fully completed, with an additional two weeks of post-production . Simon initially composed the song in G major, but arranger and composer Jimmie Haskell transposed the song to E-flat major to suit Garfunkel's voice . The song was recorded in California, to make it easier for Garfunkel to go to Mexico to film Catch - 22 . Simon wanted a gospel piano sound, and so he hired session musician Larry Knechtel . The song was initially two verses long, but Garfunkel felt the song was too short, and asked Knechtel to play a third verse, to which Simon would write more lyrics . Joe Osborn played the two bass guitars, one high and the other low . A horn section rounded off the song . The drums were played by Hal Blaine in an echo chamber to achieve a hall effect and Los Angeles session percussionist Gary Coleman played the vibraphone . Due to a series of factors, the duo had to work on a new tape; an arranger falsely labeled the song as "Like a Pitcher of Water", wrote Garfunkel's name incorrectly and the string part was unsatisfactory . </P>

What is the meaning of the song bridge over troubled water