Richard Cory (song)
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| "Richard Cory" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Simon and Garfunkel | |
| from the album Sounds of Silence | |
| Released | January 17, 1966 |
| Recorded | December 1965 |
| Genre | Folk rock |
| Length | 2:57 |
| Label | Columbia Records |
| Songwriter | Paul Simon |
| Producer | Bob Johnston |
"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.
The inspiration for this song comes from the poem that was required reading in English class while Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel were students at Forest Hills High School in New York City.
The song tells the tale of Richard Cory from the perspective of a man who works in his factory. The worker is envious of Cory. The advantages and recreations available to Richard Cory are enumerated in the song and the worker openly envies not only these specific advantages but Cory's presumed happiness. 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. Whereas the original poem concludes with this closing revelation and its implications, the repetition of the chorus in Simon's version (still pressing an insistent envy following Cory's suicide) discloses a second, darker revelation about what the worker wants.
Personnel
- Paul Simon: joint lead vocal, guitar
- Art Garfunkel: joint lead vocal
- Joe South: guitar
- Hal Blaine: drums
