Only the Lonely (Black & White Night 30) – Roy Orbison

Introduction

As the final embers of day give way to the velvety embrace of night, Roy Orbison’s voice, rich and melancholic as moonlight itself, paints a scene of poignant solitude in “Only the Lonely.” This iconic track, nestled within the 1987 masterpiece “Black & White Night 30,” isn’t just a song; it’s a window into the soul of a man who knows the ache of isolation all too well.

Born from a collaboration with Orbison’s longtime friend and songwriting partner Joe Melson, “Only the Lonely” emerged from a shared vulnerability. Both had suffered personal losses, leaving them grappling with the weight of loneliness. It’s this raw authenticity that seeps into every lyric, every tremor in Orbison’s voice.

The song opens with a melancholic hum, a sonic sigh resonating with the emptiness. Orbison paints a picture of a deserted cityscape, neon lights casting shadows on lonely streets. He croons of lovers, hand in hand, their happiness a stark contrast to his own solitary walk. The vulnerability intensifies as he confesses his longing for connection, for a voice to whisper in the darkness.

But “Only the Lonely” isn’t simply a lament. There’s a quiet strength in Orbison’s voice, a flicker of hope amidst the shadows. He finds solace in the shared experience of human sorrow, acknowledging that even in the depths of isolation, we are not truly alone. The final lines, “Only the lonely know the heartache / Only the lonely know the pain,” carry a bittersweet acceptance, a poignant reminder that even in the darkness, there is beauty to be found in shared vulnerability.

So, as the night unfurls its cloak, and the shadows lengthen, let “Only the Lonely” wash over you. Let it be a companion in your solitude, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the quietest corners of the heart, there is always hope for connection.

Video

Lyrics

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Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Only the lonely (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)
Know the way I feel tonight (ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah)
Only the lonely (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)
Know this feeling ain’t right (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)

There goes my baby
There goes my heart
They’re gone forever
So far apart

But only the lonely
Know why
I cry
Only the lonely

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Ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah
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Only the lonely
Only the lonely

Only the lonely (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)
Know the heartaches I’ve been through (ooh-yay-yay-yay-yeah)
Only the lonely (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)
Know I cry and cry for you (dum-dum-dum-dumdy-doo-wah)

Maybe tomorrow
A new romance
No more sorrow
But that’s the chance

You gotta take
If your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely

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