# In 1970, Paul Simon wrote this song as a goodbye to his friend. He was trying to forget what had happened

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1970-paul-simon-wrote-this-song-as-a-goodbye-to-his-friend-he-was-trying-to-forget-what-had-happened/
- Published: 2026-10-23T19:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T20:27:43+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/in-1970-paul-simon-wrote-this-song-as-a-goodbye-to-his-friend-he-was-trying-to-forget-what-had-happened/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Simon’s song hinted at the end of Simon & Garfunkel.
- Garfunkel’s film work took him to Mexico.
- The lyrics reflected distance between the old friends.

## Summary

In 1970, Paul Simon wrote ‘So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright’ for Simon & Garfunkel’s *Bridge Over Troubled Water*, using its farewell refrain to reflect the growing distance between him and Art Garfunkel. The song matters as a subtle expression of the duo’s creative tensions and their approaching split.

Garfunkel was studying architecture and had gone to Mexico to film *Catch-22*, an absence Simon said he found disappointing and tried to block out. The article describes their disagreements as largely creative, despite their mutual respect, and says the song hinted at an ending as both musicians pursued separate paths.

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