Brooklyn-based band Japanese Breakfast made a remarkable appearance at Radio City Music Hall last night, delivering a soulful cover of a Simon & Garfunkel classic. Michelle Zauner, the talented leader of Japanese Breakfast, has been enjoying an eventful week in New York City. With a captivating performance of their song Kokomo, IN on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday night and an upcoming discussion with Hua Hsu at Webster Hall for the New Yorker Festival, Zauner’s schedule has been filled with exciting opportunities.
To commemorate their sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall, Japanese Breakfast chose to pay homage to Simon & Garfunkel by covering The Only Living Boy In New York. This particular track was featured on Simon & Garfunkel’s album Bridge Over Troubled Water, serving as the B-side to their successful single Cecelia. As legend has it, the song is a conversation between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel expressed through music.
Over the years, The Only Living Boy In New York has been covered by numerous artists, including Everything But The Girl and Buffalo Tom. Its timeless appeal has also led to its inclusion on soundtracks such as Garden State and New York, I Love You. Furthermore, it provided inspiration for the 2017 Marc Webb film that shares its name. Known for its beauty and poignancy, the song received a fresh and euphoric treatment by Japanese Breakfast during their performance.
The crowd at Radio City Music Hall was captivated by Japanese Breakfast’s rendition, which filled the legendary venue with a glowing aura of musical brilliance. This fan-made video showcases the band’s heartfelt delivery of the cover, allowing listeners to appreciate their unique interpretation while still honoring the original by Simon & Garfunkel.
In summary, Japanese Breakfast’s recent performance at Radio City Music Hall was a night to remember. Michelle Zauner and her bandmates showcased their talent and paid tribute to the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel with a heartfelt cover of The Only Living Boy In New York. Their rendition brought a renewed sense of euphoria to the classic song, further cementing Japanese Breakfast’s place in the music industry.
