Richard Cory

Simon And Garfunkel · Other Songs - Simon And Garfunkel

They say that Richard Cory owns one-half of this whole town,
With political connections to spread his wealth around.
Born into society, a banker's only child
He had everything a man could want, power, grace and style.

But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I'm living
And I curse my poverty
That I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory.

The papers print his pictures almost everywhere he go,
Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at the show.
And the rumours of his parties and the orgies on his yacht
Oh, he surely must be happy with everything that he's got.

But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I'm living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be
Oh, wish that I could be,
Oh, wish that I could be Richard Cory.

He freely gave to charity, he had that 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
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be
Oh, I wish that I could be Richard Cory.

Richard Cory

Simon & Garfunkel's 1956 recording of "Richard Cory" stands as a poignant reinterpretation of the classic poem, transforming its narrative into a haunting musical statement. The song features Paul Simon's distinctive vocal delivery, which captures the quiet tension and underlying melancholy of the original text. By stripping away the narrative structure of the poem, the duo focuses on the emotional resonance of the story, exploring themes of suburban ennui and the deceptive nature of outward appearances. This track exemplifies the pair's early ability to adapt literary works into folk-rock compositions, utilizing simple instrumentation to underscore the dramatic irony of the lyrics. It remains a significant piece in their discography, showcasing their talent for blending poetic imagery with accessible melody.