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Song of the Day #942: ‘The Only Living Boy in New York’ – Dan Hardin

I first discovered Dan Hardin during a theme week on amateur musicians who post their performances on YouTube. He played a version of Lucinda Williams’ ‘Lake Charles’ that simply bowled me over.

His unassuming manner, gentle vocals and intricate guitar work make him kind of addictive to watch, and it doesn’t hurt that he has excellent taste in music, performing covers by some of my favorite artists and never the most obvious songs. I said in my original post that I’m kind of gay for this guy, and I stand by that statement.

Here is Hardin’s take on one of my very favorite Simon and Garfunkel tunes, ‘The Only Living Boy in New York.’

This song is so great it could survive being performed by anybody, but in the hands of danielhassixstrings (his YouTube moniker) it’s a true thing of beauty.

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know your part’ll go fine.
Fly down to Mexico.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-n-da-da and here I am,
The only living boy in New York.

I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da here I am
The only living boy in New York

Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where,
And we don’t know where.

Tom, get your plane right on time.
I know you’ve been eager to fly now.
Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da
Like it shines on me
The only living boy in New York,
The only living boy in New York.

3 thoughts on “Song of the Day #942: ‘The Only Living Boy in New York’ – Dan Hardin”

  1. Dana says:
    February 8, 2011 at 7:53 am

    I’m not sure that “anybody” could make this song sound good, but he certainly does.

    Reply
  2. peg says:
    February 8, 2011 at 8:28 am

    very nice, I like his voice and it works well with this song.

    Reply
  3. Amy says:
    February 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    I’m sure you recall how obsessed I became with Dan Hardin after your original post. I found him on FB and subscribed to his YouTube channel (after watching every one of his videos, some several times each)

    So… it’s a pleasure to hear you feature him again today. It’s beyond me how a guy like this – with his talent, good looks, easy appeal, strong original songs – could not be picked up by some record label.

    Come on, musical universe!!! Sign Dan Hardin to a record contract!!!

    Reply

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