Sammy Hagar identified Simon & Garfunkel’s 1970 song ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ as a piece he admired but felt unable to match. He praised Paul Simon’s exceptional songwriting, saying the song felt like “going to school and church at the same time”, while recognising that its sophistication lay beyond his own strengths as a rock musician.

Hagar’s comments reflect his broad musical tastes and ambition to experiment beyond conventional hard rock. The song was reportedly inspired by a Bach chorale, and although Hagar favoured heavy guitars and energetic performances, he continued pushing himself creatively through work with Van Halen and as a solo artist.