Richard Cory (song)
"Richard Cory" | |
---|---|
Sounds of Silence | |
Released | January 17, 1966 |
Recorded | December 1965 |
Genre | Folk rock |
Length | 2:57 |
Label | Columbia Records |
Songwriter(s) | Paul Simon |
Producer(s) | Bob Johnston |
"Richard Cory" is a song written by
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.
Plot
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
Covers and popular culture references
This section needs additional citations for verification. (December 2018) |
The song was covered by
The song has also been covered by
Jamaican singer Ken Boothe performed a version of the Paul Simon song in an early reggae style for his 1968 album More of Ken Boothe. It was recorded in the Studio One and produced by C. S. Dodd.
A live cover by Mark Seymour appears on Live At the Continental, which was packaged with King Without a Clue (1997).
The song inspired comic book author Steve Gerber's naming of the fictional character Richard Rory.[2]
References
- ^ Bill King, "Wings Live Album a Legend Even Before Its Release" Atlanta Constitution 25 December 1976 p. 56
- ^ letters column, Man-Thing #6[full citation needed]
External links
- Review of Richard Cory on allmusic.com