"Old Friends" written by Paul Simon was recorded on March 8, 1968 as a part of the Bookends album by Simon & Garfunkel. The album was released on April 3, 1968 by Columbia Records & achieved the number 1 position on the Billboard 200 album chart. The orchestral arrangement was conducted by Jimmie Haskell. Paul Simon performed on guitar, Hal Blaine on drums & percussion, & Joe Osborn on bass guitar.