The Boxer

Written by Paul Simon and produced by Simon & Garfunkel and Roy Halee, this folk rock ballad was released as a standalone single on March 21, 1969, nine months before appearing on Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). The lyrics are largely autobiographical and partially inspired by the Bible, written during a time when Simon felt he was being unfairly criticized. The song peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted within the top 10 in nine countries.