GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 14: Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Olympic Athlete from Russia compete during the Pair Skating Short Program on day five of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 14, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) less
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 14: Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Olympic Athlete from Russia compete during the Pair Skating Short Program on day five of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics at ... more
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of the Olmpic Athletes of Russia perform in the pair figure skating short program in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) less
Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of the Olmpic Athletes of Russia perform in the pair figure skating short program in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, ... more
Photo: Morry Gash / Associated Press
GANGNEUNG, South Korea — When the International Skating Union made the popular decision to allow lyrics in all performances, the Simon & Garfunkel classic “The Sounds of Silence” seemed like it would be a natural choice.
The folk tune is light and airy and fits neatly within the confines of traditional figure skating.
Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres went in another direction.
Yes, the French pairs team chose the 1960s hit for its free skate last year, and will bring it back for the Olympic program Thursday. But rather than the original, the two opted for a haunting, heavy-metal cover by American rock band Disturbed.