Only The Lonely

Only the Lonely is a 1960 American song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Sung by Orbison, it became his first major hit. As an operatic rock ballad, it was a sound unheard of at the time and is seen as a seminal event in the evolution of Rock and Roll. Released as a 45rpm single by Monument Records in 1960, "Only The Lonely" went to No. 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts and to No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

Related Topics:
1960 - American - Roy Orbison - Joe Melson - Opera - Rock and Roll - 45rpm single - Monument Records - Billboard - Pop music - No. 1 - United Kingdom

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The song also appears on Orbison's 1962 album, Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits, and his 1989 posthumous album A Black & White Night Live from the 1988 HBO television special.

Related Topics:
Album - Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits - A Black & White Night Live - HBO

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In 1969, singer Sonny James recorded the song and had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard country music charts.

Related Topics:
Sonny James - Country music

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In 1999, "Only The Lonely" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine named it as one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

Related Topics:
Grammy Hall of Fame Award - Rolling Stone Magazine

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Orbison's version of his song has been used in motion pictures including:

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• The Love Letter (1999)
• Only the Lonely (movie) (1991)

"Only the Lonely" is the title of a book about Roy Orison's Life and Legacy written by Alan Clayson and published in 1989 by St. Martin's Press, New York City.

Related Topics:
Alan Clayson - St. Martin's Press - New York City

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"Only The Lonely - The Roy Orbison Story" - is a stage musical that toured Europe.

Related Topics:
Stage musical - Europe

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