Mrs Robinson

Song meaning of Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel, and what it is about

The 1960s classic "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel is more than simply a song; it's a cultural icon that speaks to themes of disillusionment, societal expectations, and internal turmoil. When it was released in 1968, the song came to represent a period of significant social and political upheaval.

"Mrs. Robinson" was first featured on the soundtrack of Mike Nichols' film The Graduate, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The film became a generational classic, telling the narrative of a disillusioned college graduate who is lured by Mrs. Robinson, an older woman. Nichols, who was a fan of Simon & Garfunkel, asked the duo to write a song for the soundtrack. It's interesting to note that the song's original version, "Mrs. Roosevelt," was supposed to be a tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt. But Paul Simon changed the song to fit the character in his film at Nichols' request, and "Mrs. Robinson" was born.

The song "Mrs. Robinson" conveys a range of emotions, including mockery and sincere criticism, as well as the character's complicated feelings and larger social concerns. The chorus, "Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more than you will know," emphasises the moral ambiguity of the day.

The song talks about themes of lost innocence and trying to find purpose in a world that values material possessions. allusions to Joe DiMaggio and other cultural figures, asking "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? A country turns its lonesome gaze to you" – arouse nostalgia for less complicated, more valiant eras. In this setting, DiMaggio represents a vanished ideal, and the song laments the lack of unambiguous heroes in an intricate reality.

Song lyrics of Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel

And here's to you, Mrs. Robinson

Jesus loves you more than you will know, wo wo wo

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, wo wo wo

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 Robinsons' 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, wo wo wo

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 it you lose

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

A nation turns its lonely eyes to you, wo wo wo

What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson

'Joltin Joe' has left and gone away, hey hey hey

Hey hey hey