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Roy Orbison — Only The Lonely
Album: The Big O
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 709









Released: 1960
Length: 2:25
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah
Ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah
Oh-oh-oh-oh-wah
Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Only the lonely ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''
Know the way I feel tonight ''(ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah)''
Only the lonely ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''
Know this feeling ain't right ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''

There goes my baby
There goes my heart
They're gone forever
So far apart

But only the lonely
Know why
I cry
Only the lonely

Dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah
Ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah
Oh-oh-oh-oh-wah
Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Only the lonely ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''
Know the heartaches I've been through ''(ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah)''
Only the lonely ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''
Know I cry and cry for you ''(dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)''

Maybe tomorrow
A new romance
No more sorrow
But that's the chance

You gotta take
If your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely

Dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah
Comments (83)add comment
Dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah 
Ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah 
Oh-oh-oh-oh-wah
Wow Bill....The Lullaby of Loneliness and then Only the Lonely?  Are you TRYing to depress us singles right as another lonely weekend creeps up?  {#Ask}
 Ubaldo wrote:
When I was a kid I thought he was saying "only baloney"

{#Sunny}
 
That made me laugh!! {#Roflol}
 Hannio wrote:


Too tired to click the wikipedia link above?
 
Wikipedia and Google surely must have caused the demise of many a on-line know-it-all.  It makes it harder to post comments for some, perhaps.  I mean, what's the point of pointing out all kinds of facts and stuff when anyone can just click that link?
When I was a kid I thought he was saying "only baloney"

{#Sunny}
I remember playing RO on my mothers record player again and agin and again and again.....
it jumped!...wierd
 jimbaca wrote:
Wasn't Roy a member of the X-Men?  With his voice, he had to be a mutant!  Love it!
 
haha...funny one! ..and true! :D
 boober wrote:
He's ripping off Chris Issak
 
Shirley, you jest, boober!!!!! LOL!!!!!

It's funny, every time I hear this song, it sounds like Buddy Holly singing backup.  I know that's impossible, but still the likeness is uncanny.

Roy Orbison's sound - the production combined with his voice - is downright magical.



 alph wrote:
What a voice. What a song.
 
{#High-five} Amen to that!

One of his early big hits.  Pretty sure it was before Pretty Woman.
Wasn't Roy a member of the X-Men?  With his voice, he had to be a mutant!  Love it!
 DaMoGan wrote:

I'm really not a fan of this type of music from that era, but since it's Roy Orbison, I still have to give it an 8.

Actually, It's the "dum dum dum doobie do-wah" or whatever the hell they're singing in the background that I really don't like, but I found a solution: I pulled out my right earphone.  Try it!
 
It's called "doo-wop" and the "shoobie doobies," "dumbie doo-wahs," and the "shoo bop doo bops" are essential to it. I recommend to everyone else, then, keeping the right earphone in.

Ow! That was good at the end! —-(ear orgasm.)

 oufason wrote:
Back in the late 80's I wanted to see the Big O and my fiance would go only if I would take her to see Madonna... I should have known right then and there it would end in divorce.
 

{#Skull}

Roy Orbison - "Only The Lonely" Live

"such a timeless song, Roy Orbison is a legend. its unfortunate he left us just as he was gaining moment in his comeback"

BIll,  Great story about growing up in W. CO...I'm thankful you continued to listen.  Good mix tonite (like the Pearl Jam).
 boober wrote:
He's ripping off Chris Issak
 
Naw, his voice doesn't make dogs howl like Chris Iaask's does

 boober wrote:
He's ripping off Chris Issak
 
{#Lol}

 mefrombrazil wrote:
can somebody tell me the cause of Mr. Orbison's death?
 

Too tired to click the wikipedia link above?

I'm really not a fan of this type of music from that era, but since it's Roy Orbison, I still have to give it an 8.

Actually, It's the "dum dum dum doobie do-wah" or whatever the hell they're singing in the background that I really don't like, but I found a solution: I pulled out my right earphone.  Try it!
Wow, I've actually never heard this version. What a voice he had!
He's ripping off Chris Issak
Dum, dum, dum, dum, dee, doo wah!




you know who you are
 oufason wrote:
Back in the late 80's I wanted to see the Big O and my fiance would go only if I would take her to see Madonna... I should have known right then and there it would end in divorce.
 

{#Lol}
Darn it. I must've hit the button for K-EARTH 101 again.
mefrombrazil wrote:
can somebody tell me the cause of Mr. Orbison's death?
Believe he died of a sudden heart attack
oufason wrote:
Back in the late 80's I wanted to see the Big O and my fiance would go only if I would take her to see Madonna... I should have known right then and there it would end in divorce.
poor friend.pitiful you.
Back in the late 80's I wanted to see the Big O and my fiance would go only if I would take her to see Madonna... I should have known right then and there it would end in divorce.
can somebody tell me the cause of Mr. Orbison's death?
What a classic voice!!
squidish wrote:
who is the smooth voice on backup vocals?
Good question! Sounds marvelous. Here is the answer: Joe Melson. Uh yeah, yeah, yeah.... Ps: Honk.
Sure like to hear more from the Big 'O'!
What a voice. What a song.
who is the smooth voice on backup vocals?
Kaiser wrote:
Someone in another forum asked why Roy Orbison "sounded so much like a woman." The ensuing virtual bitchslap fest was brutal.
He-he-he-he-he. Whoever made the comment about his voice had it coming! His was one of the great voices in popular music.
Someone in another forum asked why Roy Orbison "sounded so much like a woman." The ensuing virtual bitchslap fest was brutal.
beautiful. just when i begin to think i would never hear a particular song on RP, i get put in my place!
I actually like Jay and the Americans version of this song.
Imposible to over-estimate the talent and influence of Roy. An original, and genuine.
Dum, dum, dum, dum, dee, doo, waa!
horstman wrote:
Wow. Blatent statements like this make me think that America has the most ignorant people on the planet. . we certainly have proven that with our fearless leader. But I digress. Roy's voice is so smooth and from the heart. I love his voice, his lyrics and songwriting. I miss him like I miss Elliot Smith and Nick Drake, but unlike the other two, his life was fuller and blessed us with far more music and memories. A legend indeed.
Hate to rain on your parade, but a statment lie "Worst Voice Ever" is more of a statement of opiniom than fact, and is in no way related to intelligence
horstman wrote:
Wow. Blatent statements like this make me think that America has the most ignorant people on the planet. . we certainly have proven that with our fearless leader. But I digress. Roy's voice is so smooth and from the heart. I love his voice, his lyrics and songwriting. I miss him like I miss Elliot Smith and Nick Drake, but unlike the other two, his life was fuller and blessed us with far more music and memories. A legend indeed.
The "Crying" duet with k.d. lang is also a classic.
No other voice like this one..Splendid
AAAHHH...
Been watching Wilburys DVD lately,the emty rockingchair with Leftys picture init actually made me quite emotional.(ok I cried a bit). Only the lonely, all the girls favurite when we were kids.Mine too!
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
In agreement on Isaak.
Isaak is good for a pretty boy poser. I have followed him since the early 80s, but Roy is the man. I am sure Isaak would agree as well.
meower215 wrote: Roy Orbison singin for the lonely..... Pazzat wrote: ...hey that's me, and I want you only. sandpebble wrote:
Don't turn me home again...
I just can't face myself alone again
meower215 wrote:
Roy Orbison singin for the lonely.....
Pazzat wrote:
...hey that's me, and I want you only.
Don't turn me home again...
A classic! Watch the DVD, Black And White Night, if you're not a believer, with guest stars Elvis Costello, Bruce Springstein, k.d. lang, Bonnie Raitt...the list goes on. P.S. As an avid Top 40 oldies collector, RP would be well-served, IMHO, to include more. floydslips.blogspot.com
Perfect segue for my unrequited jones for Aimee.
Yikes, lots of negative comments. Roy was da man. Cool-ee-oh.
Best Voice Ever
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Worst. Voice. Ever.
Wow. Blatent statements like this make me think that America has the most ignorant people on the planet. . we certainly have proven that with our fearless leader. But I digress. Roy's voice is so smooth and from the heart. I love his voice, his lyrics and songwriting. I miss him like I miss Elliot Smith and Nick Drake, but unlike the other two, his life was fuller and blessed us with far more music and memories. A legend indeed.
QueenLucia wrote:
Roy has a voice that could melt butter..
It's true. My microwave busted once and playing Roy O was the only way to get any cooking done at all.
daedalus wrote:
Elvis also said if there was one singer he wouldn't like to have to follow on stage, it was Roy Orbison.
That concert where Roy and Elvis played together (as well as a host of other greats) aired last night on public TV. Oh wait....which Elvis were you guys talking about? Elvis Presley or "the true king", EC?
parrothead wrote:
Elvis once said that Roy had the most amazing voice ever and that he was not in the same class of singer than him. It was the three octave range that Elvis was refering to.
Elvis also said if there was one singer he wouldn't like to have to follow on stage, it was Roy Orbison.
meower215 wrote:
Roy Orbison singin for the lonely.....
...hey that's me, and I want you only.
rbigelo wrote:
Oh yes, that fabulous voice.
What he said.
Oh yes, that fabulous voice.
Elvis once said that Roy had the most amazing voice ever and that he was not in the same class of singer than him. It was the three octave range that Elvis was refering to.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
My dislike of Roy Orbison makes me "musically ignorant"? Sorry, I didn't realize musical enlightenent required the acquisition of a taste for Mr. Orbison's warbling voice. Please forgive me.
Had you said you just don't care for his vocal style, you'd probably be safe - but to say worst voice ever is simply musical ignorance, and your responders are quite correct. Sorry.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
My dislike of Roy Orbison makes me "musically ignorant"? Sorry, I didn't realize musical enlightenent required the acquisition of a taste for Mr. Orbison's warbling voice. Please forgive me.
You went far beyond expressing personal dislike of Mr. Orbison to Dub his "Worst. Voice. Ever." If you're going to make such regal and definitive pronouncements, you'd better be ready to back them up with something more than personal preference, n'est ce pas? Not even the most widely admired artists appeal to everyone. I'm sure there's lots of knowlegeable people who don't personally appreciate Roy's appeal, but his vocal talent is undeniable as others below have noted.
aflanigan wrote:
Probably the only way to demonstrate more profound musical ignorance is to argue that Bob Dylan is the worst songwriter ever.
My dislike of Roy Orbison makes me "musically ignorant"? Sorry, I didn't realize musical enlightenent required the acquisition of a taste for Mr. Orbison's warbling voice. Please forgive me.
Classic. PBS was re-running a bio film on him last summer? Since I didnt live during that time, it was interesting. My first taste of Roy was the late 80s--"Anything You Want" and his Traveling Wilburys stuff, and he was near the end of his life then.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Worst. Voice. Ever.
Probably the only way to demonstrate more profound musical ignorance is to argue that Bob Dylan is the worst songwriter ever.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Worst. Voice. Ever.
Three octave vocal range. Yeah...methinks you've got it wrong. Orbison had an amazing voice! Spine chilling! Sorry you don't agree, but...whoa! Not everyone can appreciate that death-defying falsetto I guess.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Not at all.
Then I need some emoticons for astonishment and pity. They really apply here.
StevenQ wrote:
Chris Isaak's version is very credible. Also a great voice.
In agreement on Isaak.
Chris Isaak's version is very credible. Also a great voice.
Incredible range!
Roy Orbison singin for the lonely.....
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Worst Voice Ever
Are you serious? Roy has a voice that could melt butter. I know I melt every time I hear him. So smooth, so sexy, so passionate.
Great Voice!
StevenQ wrote:
You're joking, right?
Not at all.
Tireux_De_Roche wrote:
Worst. Voice. Ever.
You're joking, right?
Best. Voice. Ever. Period.
Oh, yeah. The best of the Best. Go Roy... Solid 10, thanks who ever added this.
Worst. Voice. Ever.