There are some songs that almost everyone recognizes no matter what age they are. "Cecelia" by Simon and Garfunkel is just one of those songs. Even if you've never heard it before, you'll instantly fall into the groove as if you've been singing along with it for your whole life. It's so easy to get caught up in the upbeat rhythm.
The original arrangement is so down to earth, with very simple percussion that sounds like a bunch of buddies banging on a piece of furniture together. That's probably because that is what the percussion on the recording is.
While at a party, Simon, Garfunkel, and some of their friends started banging a piano bench and recorded it with a simple tape recorder. Later, Simon and a producer turned a section of the recording into a loop, and the other components of the song fell into place after that. Did you know that it's an homage to the patron saint of music, Cecelia?
That found object sound is crucial to the song. Without it, it wouldn't have that same lighthearted quality.
It's no surprise that STOMP — the show that employs the use of buckets, brooms, hands, feet, and just about anything else to create percussive arrangements — took the first opportunity they had to perform "Cecelia."
So, when performing on Jimmy Fallon's late night show, the cast of STOMP brought a very special guest on stage with them, and it's so ridiculously perfect!
Please SHARE with your friends and family if this performance brought a smile to your face!
