Album: Sounds of Silence (1966)

License This Song 

• 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
  And 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 picture
  Almost everywhere he goes
  Richard Cory at the opera
  Richard Cory at a show
  And the rumor of his parties
  And the orgies on his yacht
  Oh, he surely must be happy
  With everything he's got
  
  But I, 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
  
  He freely gave to charity
  He had the common touch
  And they were grateful for his patronage
  And they 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, 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 Writer/s: Paul Simon
  Publisher: O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

• Cory Richards from Here's To You, Mr. Robinson"Richard Cory"
  BY EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON
  
  Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
  We people on the pavement looked at him:
  He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
  Clean favored, and imperially slim.
  
  And he was always quietly arrayed,
  And he was always human when he talked;
  But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
  "Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.
  
  And he was rich—yes, richer than a king—
  And admirably schooled in every grace:
  In fine, we thought that he was everything
  To make us wish that we were in his place.
  So on we worked, and waited for the light,
  And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
  And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
  Went home and put a bullet through his head.
• Ani from UkBased on a poem about a man called Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cory
• David from Lawrence, MaCorrection to the post by Alan, Valdosta, GA. Paul McCartney does not sing Richard Cory on Wings Over America. Denny Laine (former lead singer of the Moody Blues prior to Days of Future Passed) sings it.
• Breanna from Henderson, NvAwesome song, one of Simon and Garfunkel's best, like at first you think it's a cheery song, then you get to the part where he put a bullet through his head! Great song.
• Drew from B'ham, AlDon't forget another distinction: Richard Cory was a fairly generous friend to man & the "most peculiar man" was entirely unfriendly.
• Jay from Brooklyn, NyThe line "And my mind was filled with wonder when the evening headlines said/ "Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head" makes me think of the Post.
• Jay from Brooklyn, NyOn the "Sounds of Silence" album, Richard Cory is followed immidiately by A Most Peculiar Man, another song about suicide. The "most peculiar man" is almost the exact opposite of Richard Cory - he is anonymous and unimportant. His death didn't make headlines. The world will soon forget him. It is an interesting juxtaposition to hear these songs back to back.
• Alan from Valdosta, GaPaul McCartney and Wings did a cover of this song on their Wings Over America concert triple-album. In this cover version McCartney sings "Oh, I wish that I could be, oh I wish that I could be, Oh I wish that I could be .... John Denver!"
• Guy from Woodinville, WaThis song made me think about "what is happiness" and how you're responsicle for your own happiness when I was 12 years old. Thank you, Tom & Jeff!

More Songfacts:

SkyscraperDemi Lovato

Demi Lovato recorded a Spanish version of her song "Skyscraper," but she doesn't speak Spanish. She performed it on a Latin music awards show with help from a teleprompter.

Shake It OffTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" was inspired by how she'd learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated about her. She realized she could either let it get to her or "just shake it off."

Hey JudeThe Beatles

Paul McCartney wrote "Hey Jude" to comfort John Lennon's 5-year-old son Julian, whose parents were getting a divorce.

Three Little BirdsBob Marley & the Wailers

Bob Marley's backup singers, The I Threes, claim they are the "Three Little Birds" in his famous song.

25 Or 6 To 4Chicago

The title "25 Or 6 To 4" by Chicago refers to the time it was written: either 25 minutes to 4 (3:35) or 26 (3:34).

Theme From ShaftIsaac Hayes

When "Theme From Shaft" won an Oscar in 1972, Isaac Hayes became the first African American to win in the Best Song category.

Editor's Picks

Jon Foreman of SwitchfootSongwriter Interviews

Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.