Transcript for:
Exploring Themes in Richard Corey

Performers were important only because they made one important record Afterwards before they're an oblivion for the most part, but I don't predict that kind of future for the next two people I'm going to introduce they have a number of popular records very very good ones, but good singers and fine fellows. Here are Simon and Garfunkel. Richard Corey is the name of a poem written by Edward Arlington Robinson about a seemingly happy... man who one day went home and killed himself.

This is a song written by Paul Simon from that poem. 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, 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... 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. I wish that I could be, oh I wish that I could be, oh I wish that I could be Richard Boyd. 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 Corey 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 Corey