The Last Time I Saw Richard

Legião Urbana's song 'The Last Time I Saw Richard' delves into the disillusionment and cynicism that often accompany the passage of time and the fading of youthful dreams. The song begins with a nostalgic recollection of a conversation with Richard in Detroit in 1968, where Richard expresses a bleak view of romance, suggesting that all romantics eventually become cynical and bitter. This sets the tone for the song, highlighting the inevitable disillusionment that comes with age and experience.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dark cafe, a symbol of the loneliness and isolation that can accompany this disillusionment. Richard's words are a stark reminder that the idealistic dreams of youth often give way to a more jaded perspective. The imagery of 'roses and kisses and pretty men' contrasts sharply with the 'pretty lies' that Richard warns about, emphasizing the gap between romantic ideals and harsh realities.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that Richard has succumbed to the very cynicism he once warned about. He is now married, living a mundane life, and drinking alone at home. The narrator, on the other hand, is determined to avoid this fate, symbolized by the act of blowing out a candle and rejecting company. The song concludes with a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the 'dark cafe days' are just a phase before the narrator can 'get my gorgeous wings and fly away.' This ending hints at the possibility of renewal and escape from the darkness, offering a bittersweet reflection on the complexities of love and dreams.