On July 31, 1961, Roy Orbison’s captivating song “Crying” made a significant impact, becoming a major hit.
During the period from 1960 to 1966, Roy achieved an impressive feat with 22 of his singles reaching the Billboard Top 40.
Among his greatest hits were “Only the Lonely” and “In Dreams.”
It’s hard to forget how remarkable Roy looked during his performances.
In a studio setting, Roy and his band take the stage, adorned in matching black suits.
As he sings and skillfully plays the guitar, Roy’s name is proudly engraved on his guitar strap.
The lyrics of the song carry intense emotion as Roy delivers, “I was okay for a while, I could smile for a while.”
But then, last night, he saw you. You held his hand, approached with a warm greeting, seemingly happy for him.
Unbeknownst to you, he had been shedding tears because of you.
Roy’s stage presence was characterized by his trademark stillness and his preference for black attire, harmonizing with his jet-black dyed hair.
The dark sunglasses he wore completed his distinctive look.
It was speculated that these glasses served as a shield against his stage fright, allowing him to remain composed while performing.
“Crying,” written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, was featured on Roy’s third studio album of the same name.
The song climbed to number two on the charts in the United States.
Notably, in 1980, Don McLean delivered a rendition of “Crying.”
Roy’s operatic singing style earned him nicknames such as “The Caruso of Rock” and “The Big O.”
Through his deeply emotional ballads, he conveyed vulnerability and bared his soul through his carefully chosen lyrics.
Although Roy is celebrated for various hits, “Oh, Pretty Woman” remains one of his most iconic songs, reigning at number one for three weeks in 1964.
Rolling Stone magazine’s esteemed compilation, “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” positioned “Crying” at number 69.
Roy Orbison’s unique style and captivating stage persona solidified his status as a legend in American music.
