Richard Cory (song)

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

Timeline This song has been officially released in 1976

Song facts

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. […]

Last updated on February 7, 2017

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.