Roy Orbison: “Crying”
Entered the chart on: 8/28/1961
Peaked on: 10/9/1961
Weeks at #2: 1
Song at #1: “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles
And here we have the light at the end of the tunnel I spoke of earlier. After “Only the Lonely,” I was certainly eager to review more Roy Orbison songs. Sadly, this is the last one. Happily, it’s another tune I love.
Full disclosure time, and I’m showing my age here, but I heard Don McLean’s cover before I even knew it was a Roy Orbison song. Similarly, I had heard (and loved) Linda Ronstadt’s version of “Blue Bayou” long, long before Roy’s. I think that’s testament to Roy’s talent that so many other talented people were inspired by him.
Dare I compare this with the Dick & Deedee song from the last edition? That one had a fantastic snare drum hook, this one opens with an equally splendid tom-tom hook. And is that a celeste I hear? Bob Moore’s orchestration is, typically, just lovely. As with his chart-topping “Running Scared,” this one builds solidly from start to finish.
Damn, Roy, is it impossible for you not to knock one out of the park? And has there ever been anyone who ever made heartbreak so compelling? The man’s voice was a force of nature, nobody else could hit those high notes in the last refrain and still sound smooth as a pane of glass. Nobody else could tug at your heart-strings with the touch of sorrow in his voice.
I’m just going to bask in this moment of bliss. Don’t mind me!
Rating: 5
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