Only the Lonely

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“Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)”
Single by Roy Orbison
Released	May 1960
Label	Monument Records
Writer(s)	Roy Orbison, Joe Melson

"Only the Lonely (Know The Way I Feel)" is a 1960 song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Recorded 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 May, 1960, "Only The Lonely" went to Number 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts and to No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

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.

In 1969, country singer Sonny James recorded the song and had a Number One hit on the Billboard country music charts.

In 1999, "Only The Lonely" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it #232 on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time list."

[edit] In popular culture

• Orbison's version of his song has been used in motion pictures, including:
  • The Love Letter (1999)
  • Only the Lonely (1991)
• Only the Lonely is the title of a book about Roy Orbison by Alan Clayson, published 1989, St. Martin's Press, New York City.
• Only The Lonely - The Roy Orbison Story - is a stage musical that toured Europe.

[edit] Succession

Preceded by "Tell Laura I Love Her" by Ricky Valance	UK number one single by Roy Orbison October 20, 1960 (2 weeks)	Succeeded by "It's Now or Never" by Elvis Presley
Preceded by "To Make Love Sweeter For You" by Jerry Lee Lewis	Billboard Hot Country Singles number one single (Sonny James version) March 8-March 22, 1969	Succeeded by "Who's Gonna Mow Your Grass" by Buck Owens and the Buckaroos