“Only the Lonely” is one of Roy Orbison’s most iconic songs and remains a quintessential ballad in his catalog. Released in 1960, this track became Orbison’s first major hit and cemented his place as one of the great voices in pop and rock music history.
The Song:
Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, “Only the Lonely” is a beautifully crafted song that exemplifies Orbison’s mastery of emotional storytelling through music. The song is about a person who is heartbroken and reflects on the loneliness that comes with lost love. The lyrics express a deep sense of isolation and longing, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of unrequited or lost love.
Key Lyrics:
“Only the lonely / Know the heartaches I’ve been through.”
The central theme of the song revolves around the feeling of being alone after the end of a romantic relationship, and the narrator’s realization that only those who have experienced such heartache can truly understand the depth of his sadness. This sentiment is reinforced throughout the song by Orbison’s rich, soaring vocals and the lush orchestral arrangement.
Roy Orbison’s Vocal Performance:
What makes “Only the Lonely” truly stand out is Roy Orbison’s voice. Known for its unique ability to convey both power and vulnerability, Orbison’s operatic tenor is the perfect vehicle for expressing the raw emotion of the lyrics. His voice rises to emotional heights, particularly in the dramatic moments of the song, and the use of his falsetto adds a haunting, almost ethereal quality to the delivery.
One of the defining features of Orbison’s singing is his ability to maintain an intimate connection with the listener, despite the grandeur of his voice. The emotional intensity of “Only the Lonely” is palpable—his voice crackles with the pain of loss, but there’s also a sense of dignity in how he expresses this anguish.
Musical Arrangement:
The song features lush orchestration with sweeping strings, which were characteristic of the “wall of sound” production style that was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Produced by Fred Foster at Monument Records, the song is built around a dramatic instrumental arrangement that enhances Orbison’s emotional delivery. The instrumentation serves to heighten the song’s sense of melancholy, with the strings and horns adding depth to the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The arrangement is slow and almost cinematic, with rising and falling crescendos that mirror the song’s lyrical shifts from longing to despair, making it feel as though the music itself is as much a character in the song as Orbison’s voice.
The Legacy of “Only the Lonely”:
“Only the Lonely” became a major hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying in the charts for over 20 weeks. It marked the beginning of a string of successful singles for Orbison and helped establish him as one of the most distinctive voices in pop and rock. The song’s success also contributed to Orbison’s growing reputation as a “songwriter’s singer,” capable of conveying deep emotional complexities through his vocal performance.
Over the years, “Only the Lonely” has been covered by numerous artists, but none have quite captured the same emotional depth as Orbison did in his original version. His vocal delivery, combined with the lush production, made this song a timeless classic that still resonates with listeners today.
The track is often considered one of Roy Orbison’s greatest songs and a key moment in the evolution of 1960s pop and rock music. It helped solidify Orbison’s legacy as one of the greatest balladeers of his time, and the song is frequently cited as one of the finest examples of his ability to blend sorrow and beauty into one unforgettable performance.
Music Video / Performances:
Though no official music video exists for “Only the Lonely” in the way modern pop stars have them today, the song has often been performed live by Orbison, especially during the later years of his career, when he enjoyed a resurgence thanks to the Traveling Wilburys and the continued appreciation of his legacy. Orbison’s performances were always noted for their emotional sincerity and vocal precision, and “Only the Lonely” was a staple of his concerts.
In summary, “Only the Lonely” is a timeless classic that showcases Roy Orbison at his finest—combining heartbreaking lyrics with his unparalleled vocal ability. It’s a song that captures the essence of longing, isolation, and emotional vulnerability, making it one of the most enduring hits of the early 1960s and a staple of Orbison’s enduring influence on popular music.
Lyrics
Only the lonelyOnly the lonelyOnly the lonelyKnow the way I feel tonightOnly the lonelyKnow this feeling ain’t rightThere goes my babyThere goes my heartThey’re gone foreverSo far apartBut only the lonelyKnow whyI cryOnly the lonelyOnly the lonelyOnly the lonelyOnly the lonelyKnow the heartaches I’ve been throughOnly the lonelyKnow I cry and cry for youMaybe tomorrowA new romanceNo more sorrowBut that’s the chanceYou gotta takeIf your lonely heart breaksOnly the lonely
