Paul Simon was introduced by Sen. Al Franken and Sarah Silverman before performing “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” during opening night of the Democratic Convention.
Franken and Silverman joked that two people who don’t agree on Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton are like a “bridge over troubled water” before the music icon took the stage of Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.
While the GOP was mocked for its lack of star power, which featured Scott Baio and “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson at last week’s convention, the Democratic Party brought out Eva Longoria, Demi Lovato, Silverman and Simon on the first night.
The lyrics to Simon’s song are powerful and especially fitting for the event: “When you’re weary, feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all; I’m on your side. When times get rough. And friends just can’t be found, Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.”
Earlier in the night, former Disney star Lovato opened up about her personal battles with mental illness.
“Like millions of Americans, I am living with mental illness,” the 23-year-old pop star said. “But I am lucky. I had the resources and support to get treatment at a top facility. Unfortunately, too many Americans from all walks of life don’t get help, either because they fear the stigma or cannot afford treatment.”
Simon’s performance didn’t come with an emotional speech, but the lyrics to his classic song were the only message he needed to convey.
His former partner, Art Garfunkel, is an outspoken Sanders supporter, who told The New York Times that the duo’s song “America” was OK for Sanders to use on the campaign trail.
Check out the performance above.