During the summer of 1969, Paul was working on what he considered his best effort yet, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Paul said later than when he would lay down a verse of the song, it seemed almost like a spiritual experience. Tears would come to his eyes. He was positive it was the best thing he had ever written, and he wanted Art to sing it solo. No harmony on this song.

Paul had always been interested in Gospel music and remembered a song from 1958 called “Mary Don’t You Weep,” a gospel song done by Claude Jeter who most people don’t know unless you’re really familiar with Fifties Gospel music. Yet, a line from that song “I’ll be a bridge over deep water, if you trust in me” had stuck with Paul all those years, and he finally had a chance to use it in a song.

Art came back from working on the movie Catch-22 in Mexico and when he first heard it, he didn’t really like it that much. Paul was crushed. They argued about the song for days until, finally, Art agreed to sing the song solo. This underscored how they had separated on what each felt was good music. Art liked “Bridge,” he just didn’t think it was Paul’s best work.

The song originally had only two verses, but Art and producer Roy Halee thought it needed a little more, so they convinced Paul to write a third verse. By now, Paul was married, and, one day while he was looking at his wife, he noticed a gray hair. The words “Sail on, silvergirl” are a reference to Peggy, his wife.

The song was released in late January of 1970 and about a month later, on February 28, it hit number one where it stayed for six weeks, easily becoming the biggest hit of their career. It was also the number one song of the year 1970. The song also hit number one in England, Canada, France, and New Zealand. The song “Bridge Over Troubled Water” won the 1970 Grammy for Record of the Year and the album of the same name won the Grammy for Album of the Year (awarded in March of 1971). Rolling Stone Magazine rates the song as number 47 of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

While no public announcement was made, the album Bridge Over Troubled Waters was the last album for Simon & Garfunkel. It was shortly after this that the two broke up and went their own ways, both having a successful solo career.