As we know, “The Sound of Silence” is a famous song by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. Its introspective lyrics and haunting melody, combined with Simon & Garfunkel’s harmonies has made it an enduring and iconic song, resonating with listeners across generations. That’s why many singers have tried to cover it, but it seems no one is better than Henk Poort’s rendition. The Dutch opera singer put his own spin on the song, drawing inspiration from the version by Disturbed rather than the original folk style.
During his appearance on the Dutch TV show Beste Zangers, Poort started the song with a gentle vocal accompanied by strings. Everyone was surprised when the singer transitioned to a bold rock style midway through the song. Even the hosts were shocked and thoroughly enjoyed his rendition. Poort’s cover has become one of the most popular versions on YouTube, with over 10 million views.
Prepare yourself to be amazed by his vocal in the video below:
In the comments, it’s clear to see plenty of compliments, praising Henk Poort’ talent. One said, “This explains why Henk seemed nervous all evening, knowing he was going to do this HUGE song, in the Disturbed rendition of it. He didn’t have to be nervous one bit, omg!! did he nail it.”
Another added “Don’t get me wrong, this is the best version of ‘Sound of Silence’. His voice is just incredibly good. Imagine if it was sung with a full orchestra behind.”
Many said his rendition was even better than Simon and Garfunkel’s original and comparable to Disturbed’s well-known cover while others admitted to getting goosebumps every time they listened to it.