"Mrs. Robinson" is a classic hit by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, first released on their 1968 album Bookends. The song became a cultural touchstone partly due to its prominent use in the film The Graduate (1967), starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. Written by Paul Simon, "Mrs. Robinson" is celebrated for its catchy chorus, creative lyrics, and lasting cultural impact.
Key Details
- Release Date: April 5, 1968 (single)
- Album: Bookends (1968)
- Writers: Paul Simon (credited to Simon & Garfunkel)
- Producer(s): Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Halee
- Chart Performance:
- Reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Top 10 in the UK, Ireland, Spain
- Awards: First rock song to win a Grammy for Record of the Year (1969).
Background
- The song's origins trace back to director Mike Nichols, who sought music from Simon & Garfunkel for The Graduate soundtrack. The pair presented two rejected songs before introducing a work-in-progress, initially about Eleanor Roosevelt, which transformed into "Mrs. Robinson" after Nichols suggested the name shift to suit the film's character.
- In the movie, snippets of the song are heard during pivotal scenes, but the full version did not appear until its release as a single in 1968, when it quickly became a chart-topping success.
Lyrics and Themes
- The lyrics blend quirky references and sharp cultural observations:
- The iconic chorus: And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson / Jesus loves you more than you will know (Whoa, whoa, whoa)...
- A memorable tribute to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio: Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? / Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you...
- While originally inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt, the lyrics ultimately became identified with Anne Bancroft's character in The Graduate, symbolizing themes of disillusionment, suburban malaise, and longing for meaning in modern life.
- The Joe DiMaggio line was Paul Simon's homage to the athlete’s integrity and cultural stature, though it became the subject of public interest and commentary—even prompting a response from DiMaggio himself.
Legacy and Impact
- "Mrs. Robinson" stands among Simon & Garfunkel's greatest works and remains one of the most recognizable songs of the 1960s.
- Its use in The Graduate helped cement its place in American pop culture, and the song continues to be referenced, covered, and celebrated decades later by artists such as Frank Sinatra, the Lemonheads, and Bon Jovi.
- In 2004, it was ranked No. 6 on AFI’s list of the top songs in American cinema.
Notable Lyric Excerpt:
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
"Mrs. Robinson" endures as a symbol of a turning point in American music and culture, marked by its memorable melody and thought-provoking lyrics.
