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Released in 1976

Richard Cory

Written by Paul Simon

Last updated on February 7, 2017

Album This song officially appears on the Wings Over America Official live.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1976

From Wikipedia:

“Richard Cory” is a song written by Paul Simon in early 1965, and recorded by Simon and Garfunkel for their second studio album, Sounds of Silence. The song was based on Edwin Arlington Robinson’s 1897 poem of the same title.

Plot

The song tells the tale of a Richard Cory from the perspective of one of the men who works in his factory. The factory worker is envious of the advantages and enjoyments available to Cory, believing him (Cory) to be a satisfied man. The last verse of the song ends similarly to the Robinson poem: “Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head”. The chorus repeats again after this verse. This signifies that, despite Cory’s unhappiness – explained by his suicide – the worker still “curses his [the worker’s] poverty“, and would still rather be Richard Cory.

Covers

The song was covered by Wings during their 1975-1976 Wings Over The World tour (available on the 1976 album Wings Over America). Denny Laine sang lead. […]

Lyrics

They say that Richard Cory

Owns one half of this whole town

With political connections he spreads his wealth around

Born into society, a banker's only child

He had everything a man could want: money, grace, and style

The papers print his picture almost every place he goes

Richard Cory at the opera

Richard Cory at the shows

And the rumor of his parties and the orgies on his yacht

He really must be happy with everything he's got

But I work in his factory?

And I curse the life I'm living?

I curse my poverty?

I wish that I could be

I wish that I could be?

Oh, I wish that I could be?

Richard Cory

He freely gave to charity, he had the common touch

And they were grateful for his patronage and thanked him very much

So my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines read

Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head

But I work in his factory?

And I curse the life I'm living?

I curse my poverty?

I wish that I could be

I wish that I could be

Oh, I wish that I could be?

Richard Cory.

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

See all bootlegs containing “Richard Cory”

Live performances

“Richard Cory” has been played in 60 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Richard Cory” has been played

See all concerts where “Richard Cory” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989

With 25 albums of pop music, 5 of classical – a total of around 500 songs – released over the course of more than half a century, Paul McCartney's career, on his own and with Wings, boasts an incredible catalogue that's always striving to free itself from the shadow of The Beatles. The stories behind the songs, demos and studio recordings, unreleased tracks, recording dates, musicians, live performances and tours, covers, events: Music Is Ideas Volume 1 traces McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1970 to 1989 in the form of 346 song sheets, filled with details of the recordings and stories behind the sessions. Accompanied by photos, and drawing on interviews and contemporary reviews, this reference book draws the portrait of a musical craftsman who has elevated popular song to an art-form.

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John Andrew Heberling • 5 years ago

"I wish that I could be.....John Denver! Oh. ho! I can't wait!"

Victor Pardue • 5 years ago

Why is John Denver mentioned in this version?

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