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 last verse of the song ends similarly to the Robinson poem: Richard Cory went home last night and put a bullet through his head.
In the version released on Wings Over America, during the first chorus line Laine (jokingly) substitutes John Denver's name for Richard Cory's, thus inciting a roar of laughter and applause from the audience.
The Watchmen, The Heptones, Angst, The Back Porch Majority, Yami Bolo, Cuby & the Blizzards, Chicago Loop and Martini Ranch also covered the song.
The song inspired comic book author Steve Gerber's naming of the fictional character Richard Rory.