1. A Japanese indie folk… Read Full Bio ↴There are many artists with the name Simon:
1. A Japanese indie folk / electronic artist based in Sapporo (SiMoN)
2. A brit-pop inspired guitar band from Central Illinois
3. A dutch singer (real name Hans Goes) best known for his Vakkenvuller (written by Alain Clark), a cover of Eamonn’s hit Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back).
4. Sometimes Simon refers to a famous duo of singer-songwriters called Simon & Garfunkel.
5. A one-man martial industrial act.
6. A doom /sludge metal / post-metal collective from Rotterdam, Netherlands (SiMÓN).
7. A heavy metal band from Germany.
8. An Indian film scores composer. He has mainly composed music for Tamil films. His debut is a soundtrack for Sasi's Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu (2013).
The song Elavu, that Simon had composed for the same film was critically acclaimed and was well received on social media. Simon's music for his second film Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani, also a Bharath starter, won a lot of positive response and was widely appreciated.
9. A possible mistagging of the Honduran band Simón!.
10. Belgian artist formerly known as mitxelena.
Richard Cory
Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
"Richard Cory" is a song that tells the story of a wealthy and prominent man named Richard Cory, from the perspective of a working-class man who works in his factory. The first verse introduces Richard Cory as someone who appears to have everything a man could want - power, grace, and style. The singer, on the other hand, curses the life he is living and wishes he could be Richard Cory. The second verse describes how Richard Cory is always in the papers, attending operas and shows, and the rumors of his lavish parties on his yacht. The singer still wishes he could be in Richard Cory's shoes, despite his own poverty and dissatisfaction with his life. In the final verse, news breaks that Richard Cory has committed suicide by putting a bullet through his head. The singer is shocked and wonders how someone who seemingly had everything could take his own life.
The song highlights the theme of the dangers of envy, with the working-class man jealous of the life Richard Cory seemed to have. The song suggests that appearances can be deceiving and that wealth and power are not necessarily indicative of happiness. It also talks about the pressures that come with being wealthy and living up to society's expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
They say that Richard Cory
Rumors about Richard Cory are abound
Owns one half of this whole town
Richard Cory is extremely wealthy and likely owns a large part of the town
With political connections
He likely has connections to the government and uses them to his advantage
To spread his wealth around
He uses his influence to benefit others
Born into society, a banker's only child
He was born into a wealthy family with connections in the banking industry
He had everything a man could want
Richard Cory had immense wealth, power, and social status
Power, grace, and style
He exudes confidence and sophistication
But I work in his factory
The artist is a laborer who works at one of Cory's factories
And I curse the life I'm living
The artist is unhappy with their current life and job
And I curse my poverty
The artist is envious of Richard Cory's wealth
And I wish that I could be
The singer longs to be like Richard Cory
Oh, I wish that I could be
The artist reiterates their desire to be like Richard Cory
The papers print his picture
The media constantly covers Richard Cory's life and activities
Almost everywhere he goes
Richard Cory is a public figure who is very visible in society
Richard Cory at the opera
He attends cultural events such as operas
Richard Cory at a show
He is seen at various entertainment events
And the rumor of his parties
It is rumored that Richard Cory holds extravagant parties
And the orgies on his yacht
There are rumors of wild, sexual parties on his yacht
Oh, he surely must be happy
Despite rumors of debauchery, Richard Cory seems to be living a fulfilling life
With everything he's got
His wealth and status have led to a supposedly happy life
He freely gave to charity
Richard Cory is known for his philanthropy and generosity
He had the common touch
Despite his wealth, Richard Cory remained grounded and personable
And they were grateful for his patronage
The beneficiaries of Richard Cory's generosity were thankful for his support
And they thanked him very much
The recipients of his charity expressed gratitude toward him
So my mind was filled with wonder
The singer is perplexed and amazed by the news they read
When the evening headlines read
A shocking headline was read in the papers
"Richard Cory went home last night
Richard Cory returned home recently
And put a bullet through his head"
Richard Cory committed suicide
But I, I work in his factory
The artist is still working at Richard Cory's factory
And I curse the life I'm living
Despite Richard Cory's tragic ending, the singer is still unhappy with their own life
And I curse my poverty
The singer is still envious of Richard Cory's wealth
And I wish that I could be
The artist still longs to be like Richard Cory
Oh, I wish that I could be
The artist's desire to be like Richard Cory remains unchanged
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@greekgold4808
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.
@daveman_50
Great band and a really great arrangement. The credits identify the following personnel from the "Wrecking Crew" on the album:
Fred Carter Jr., Glen Campbell, Joe South – guitar
Larry Knechtel – keyboards
Joe Osborn – bass guitar
Hal Blaine – drums
The low instrument playing the hook at the intro? Could be a six-string bass; or a baritone guitar tuned down; or a standard guitar tuned way down; probably played by one of the guitarists, since I think I hear a standard 4-string bass guitar in the mix. If I had to place a bet, I'd say it was Glenn Campbell (a la Wichita Lineman).
I love the spooky low chords between the hook riffs - almost sounds like horns, but it's probably the organ.
@videogamesTSH
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 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 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.
@tomfields3682
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.
- Edward Arlington Robinson, 1897
@leahbayah98
When I was little, my mom would put this album on for me almost every day. This was probably my favorite song in the album. I was fully aware of what was happening in the song, yet it never spooked me. I appreciate this song so much for teaching me real life lessons at such a young age in such a frank but eloquent manner.
@leahbayah98
Lev Mitchell Yes, we should!
@filip4900
+Leah Raquel Same here.
@lancestevens6707
Leah me 2
@georgepowell6345
Leah, thank you for your eloquence. I, too, became aware of this gem when I was a little boy.
@theyanezlings720
agreed
@bigbadbillb
Super clean and clear recording. Haven't heard this track in over 30 years. One of the best S&G tunes in my opinion. An album cut....NOT a hit single, but shoulda been. Thank you for posting.
@GregC1111
Best version is original MONO Columbia LP. Much better than Stereo version. Especially opening guitar licks.
@someoneelse101
They probably wouldn't have been able to release it unless the last lines of verse 3 were edited back then. Censorship and all that
@joelusk8264
this song takes me back to my high school days when we had the Richard Cory story in our literary class. It gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.