About the song
“Mrs. Robinson” is a song by the acclaimed American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, featured on their fourth studio album, *Bookends*, released in 1968. This iconic track, penned by Paul Simon, achieved significant acclaim and commercial success, making a lasting impact on the music scene of the late 1960s.
The origins of “Mrs. Robinson” are intertwined with the film *The Graduate* (1967), directed by Mike Nichols. Initially, Simon had written fragments of the song, which he later offered to Nichols alongside Art Garfunkel when Nichols was dissatisfied with two other songs intended for the movie. The film’s soundtrack album includes two abbreviated versions of “Mrs. Robinson,” while the complete song was later released as a single by Columbia Records on April 5, 1968. The single was produced by Simon & Garfunkel in collaboration with Roy Halee.
“Mrs. Robinson” quickly became a chart-topping success, securing the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching the top 10 in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, and several other countries. Its popularity was further solidified in 1969 when it became the first rock song to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. A notable element of the song is its famous reference to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, which has sparked curiosity and interpretation over the years.
The song’s cultural significance and appeal led to numerous cover versions by a variety of artists, including Frank Sinatra, the Lemonheads, and Bon Jovi. In 2004, “Mrs. Robinson” earned the No. 6 spot on the American Film Institute’s list of the top tunes in American cinema, underscoring its enduring impact.
Simon & Garfunkel’s rise to national fame in the United States began in 1965-66, with successful tours of colleges and a series of hit singles and albums. During this period, director Mike Nichols became enamored with their music while working on *The Graduate*. Nichols was captivated by two of the duo’s songs, playing them repeatedly before and after filming. His fascination led him to seek permission from Columbia Records chairman Clive Davis to license Simon & Garfunkel’s music for the film’s soundtrack. Davis saw this as an ideal match and predicted a best-selling soundtrack album.
Despite initial hesitation from Paul Simon, who was wary of commercializing his music through film, Nichols’ wit and the film’s compelling script persuaded him to contribute. A deal, negotiated by Leonard Hirshan of William Morris, resulted in Simon receiving $25,000 to submit three songs for consideration. The collaboration between Simon & Garfunkel and Nichols ultimately gave birth to “Mrs. Robinson,” a song that has since become an enduring classic in the annals of American music history.
Video
Lyrics
And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Whoa, whoa, whoa
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files
We’d like to help you learn to help yourself
Look around you, all you see are sympathetic eyes
Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home
And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Whoa, whoa, whoa
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Hide it in a hiding place where no one ever goes
Put it in your pantry with your cupcakes
It’s a little secret, just the Robinson’s affair
Most of all, you’ve got to hide it from the kids
Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs. Robinson
Jesus loves you more than you will know
Whoa, whoa, whoa
God bless you, please, Mrs. Robinson
Heaven holds a place for those who pray
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon
Going to the candidates debate
Laugh about it, shout about it
When you’ve got to choose
Every way you look at this, you lose
Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you
Woo, woo, woo
What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson?
Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey