On 30 May 2002 David Bowie sung Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘America’ over a pre-recorded backing track at a charity auction at Manhattan’s Javits Center on behalf of the Robin Hood Foundation. The Robin Hood Foundation holds steadfast to a single mission: fight poverty in New York City, by finding, funding and creating the most effective programs and schools serving families in New York City’s poorest neighbourhoods. Visit robinhood.org for more information.
‘America’ was written by Paul Simon and originally released on Simon & Garfunkel’s fourth studio album Bookends in 1968. Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, the song was later issued as a single in 1972 to promote the release of Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits.
The song concerns young lovers hitchhiking their way across the United States, in search of “America,” one both literal and figurative. It was inspired by a 1964 road trip that Simon took with his girlfriend Kathy Chitty.
