Paul Simon is American.
`` Bridge over Troubled Water '' is a song by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel . Composed by singer-songwriter Paul Simon , the song is performed on piano and carries the influence of gospel music . Paul Frederic Simon ( born October 13 , 1941 ) is an American musician , singer-songwriter and actor . Simon wrote nearly all of the pair 's songs , including three that reached No. 1 on the U.S. singles charts : `` The Sound of Silence '' , `` Mrs. Robinson '' , and `` Bridge over Troubled Water '' .