Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his distinctive, impassioned voice and complex song structures. He has been described as a master of tone and dynamics, and has been cited as an influence on numerous artists, such as Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp. He was a pioneer of the rock and roll sound, with his unique voice and captivating melodies. Throughout his career, Orbison had numerous hit singles, including “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Crying.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989. Orbison died in 1988, at the age of 52. His music continues to live on, having been covered by numerous artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and Ringo Starr.
| Name | Roy Orbison |
| Genres | Rock & Roll, Pop, Country, Rockabilly |
| Instruments | Guitar, Piano, Vocals |
| Years Active | 1955-1988 |
| Date of Birth | April 23, 1936 |
| Labels | Monument, MGM, Virgin, CBS |
10 Best Roy Orbison Quotes
1.
“I just wanted to try and write something that was both melancholy and slightly uptempo at the same time”
– Roy Orbison, from Rhino
2.
“I think it was a very unique sound. I had a very unique voice and I think, in many ways, I had my own style of singing”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
3.
“I was just trying to write something that was a little different, something that was a little bit of a surprise”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
4.
“My vocal range is very wide and I can go from very low to very high, and I think that has something to do with my sound”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
5.
“I was never trying to do something that was too different, but I was always trying to do something that was a little bit different”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
6.
“I was always looking for something that was a little bit different and a little bit unique”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
7.
“I think I was influenced by a lot of different things, from country to rock and roll to gospel to blues to jazz”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
8.
“I think the thing that makes my music unique is the combination of all of those elements”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
9.
“I was always trying to take something that was familiar, but make it a little different”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
10.
“I was always trying to do something that nobody else was doing and that would make it stand out from the crowd”
– Roy Orbison, from Youtube
6 Inspirational Roy Orbison Quotes
“I think that I do have a certain kind of style that people recognize. I think it’s just a matter of what I can do with a song that makes the difference.”
– Roy Orbison, from Interview Magazine
“There’s a pattern that people recognize and I think it’s because of the way I phrase and the things I do to make a song stand out.”
– Roy Orbison, from Interview Magazine
“I think that I do have a certain kind of style that people recognize. I think it’s just a matter of what I can do with a song that makes the difference.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I’ve always tried to find songs that had certain kinds of feeling and emotion. That’s why I think when I hear people say, ‘Oh, this sounds like a Roy Orbison song,’ it’s because of the feeling and emotion in the song.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I think the most important thing I can do is look for songs that provide an emotional content.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“My style is always to try to find the emotion in a song and then express it in my own way.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
7 Famous Roy Orbison Quotes
“I had no idea that my songs would be appreciated so much by so many people.”
– Roy Orbison, from royorbison.com
“I’m like a broken record player, but I’m still playing.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I guess I’m just a romantic at heart.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“I’m just an old-fashioned romantic.”
– Roy Orbison, from Discogs
“I just love to write a song. I’m a songwriter.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“I think there’s something special about a song that can touch people’s hearts and souls.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I’m just a songwriter, trying to write songs that will last.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
6 Roy Orbison Quotes About Love
“I think it’s a matter of trying to put into words what you feel, and that’s why I think a lot of the songs are written in a universal language, because love is a universal language.”
– Roy Orbison, from Roadie
“I think that’s what love is all about. It’s a feeling, a feeling of happiness and joy.”
– Roy Orbison, from YouTube
“Love is like a river, it’s a natural thing, it’s a universal thing.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“My songs are all about love, mostly lost love.”
– Roy Orbison, from All Music
“I think love is a universal language. It’s like a river; it’s a natural thing.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Austin Chronicle
“Love is one of the most powerful emotions that any human being can feel.”
– Roy Orbison, from Guitar Player
7 Roy Orbison Quotes About Life
“If I had a choice between a life of unhappiness and a life of loneliness, I’d choose loneliness.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“I would rather have had a life of loneliness than a life of unhappiness.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“My philosophy on life is one of acceptance and understanding, and to live my life as best as I can.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I feel, in a way, I’ve been given a second chance at life.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
“I don’t think that life should be all work and no fun.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“I’m a real believer in trying to live life to the fullest.”
– Roy Orbison, from The Guardian
“Life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved.”
– Roy Orbison, from Rolling Stone
7 Quotes About Roy Orbison
“Roy Orbison was a great artist and an amazing performer. He had a unique voice that just grabbed you and pulled you in.”
– Bruce Springsteen, from Rolling Stone
“He was a master of dynamics, a great singer, and a great songwriter.”
– Brian Wilson, from Rolling Stone
“Roy was the most gifted singer and writer I ever heard.”
– Elvis Presley, from Biography.com
“He was the greatest singer in the world.”
– John Lennon, from Rolling Stone
“I think he was the greatest singer of all time.”
– Bob Dylan, from Rolling Stone
“He was a giant among men.”
– Bono, from Rolling Stone
“Roy Orbison was the ultimate showman.”
– Tom Petty, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Roy Orbison
Frequently Asked Questions About Roy Orbison
1. What were some of Roy Orbison’s most famous quotes?
Roy Orbison was a legendary musician and singer-songwriter renowned for his distinctive and powerful voice. He was also a great lyricist and a prolific songwriter, contributing some of the greatest songs of all time. Here are some of Roy Orbison’s most famous quotes:
- “The only way I can do it is to keep on going and going and going, and have faith that I’ll get somewhere someday.”
- “I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me-like food or water.”
- “I don’t think about success. I just try to do something that pleases me, something that I can be proud of.”
- “I think I’ve written some of the greatest lyrics that anyone’s ever written.”
- “I’m an observer of life, and I put it down in song. I have to have something to observe.”
- “My songs are very simple. I don’t think I’m a great songwriter, but I think I have a knack for writing songs that people can relate to.”
- “I try to put a little bit of myself in every song I write.”
- “I don’t think I’m a great singer, but I think I have a great voice.”
- “I just want to write songs that people can relate to and enjoy.”
2. How did Roy Orbison’s lyrics influence other musicians?
Roy Orbison was a pioneering songwriter and composer whose work influenced many other musicians. His words were often full of emotion, and his unique style of writing made his songs both memorable and moving.
Here are some of the ways in which Roy Orbison’s lyrics have influenced other musicians:
- His lyrics often featured themes of love, loss and longing, which resonated with many listeners.
- He was known for using vivid imagery in his songs, creating powerful and memorable images that stayed with people long after they heard the song.
- His songs often featured a catchy chorus that repeated throughout the song, making it easy to remember and sing along to.
- He was known for using unusual chord progressions that gave his songs a unique sound.
- He often used a blend of pop and country styles in his songs, creating a sound that was both accessible and unique.
These elements of Roy Orbison’s writing have made his songs timeless classics that continue to influence other musicians today. His words have been covered by countless artists over the years, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary songwriters.
3. What was the inspiration behind Roy Orbison’s songwriting?
Roy Orbison’s songwriting was heavily influenced by his own personal experiences and emotions. He wrote deeply moving and heartfelt lyrics that resonated with his audience and spoke to the human condition. His songs were often about loneliness, heartbreak, longing, and pain.
- He was inspired by his own life experiences and relationships such as the death of his first wife, Claudette, in 1966.
- He was also inspired by his admiration for classical music, which he often blended into his own style of songwriting.
- The music of Elvis Presley and Hank Williams also had a great influence on Orbison’s songwriting.
- Orbison was also heavily inspired by the writers of the time such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and John Lennon.
- He was a great storyteller, often weaving tales of love, loss, and redemption through his music.
Roy Orbison’s songwriting was an outlet for his emotions and an expression of his innermost thoughts and feelings. His music has touched the lives of millions of people and continues to inspire generations of musicians.
4. What was Roy Orbison’s most successful single?
Roy Orbison had a string of hits throughout his career, but his most successful single was undoubtedly “Oh, Pretty Woman”. The song, released in 1964, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Orbison’s first and only chart-topper in the United States.
The song was also a massive hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. Additionally, it was a top 10 hit in several other countries, including Australia, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
Orbison’s other famous singles include:
- Crying
- Only the Lonely
- Blue Bayou
- In Dreams
- It’s Over
5. How did Roy Orbison’s music impact American culture?
Roy Orbison’s music left an indelible mark on American culture, and his influence has been felt in multiple generations. His songs were a reflection of the times, providing a window into the lives of everyday people. Here are some of the ways his music impacted American culture:
- Orbison’s songs blended elements of rock and roll, country, and pop, creating a unique sound that has been widely imitated. His music was accessible to a wide range of audiences, appealing to both young and old alike.
- Orbison’s songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and heartache, providing an emotional outlet for many listeners. His lyrics were often poetic and deeply meaningful.
- Orbison’s music was a major influence on the music of the 1960s and beyond. He was a major influence on the British Invasion bands of the era, and his influence can be heard in the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
- Orbison’s music has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Bruce Springsteen, U2, and Elvis Costello. His songs have become part of the fabric of American culture, and his influence is still felt today.
- Orbison’s music was a major influence on the development of rock and roll. His songs were a major influence on the development of the genre, and his influence can still be heard in the music of modern rock bands.
Roy Orbison’s music continues to be an influential force in American culture, and his legacy will live on for generations to come. His music has touched the lives of millions of people, and his influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Roy Orbison was a legendary artist and songwriter who had a profound influence on generations of musicians. His work earned him numerous awards and accolades, and his voice and songwriting ability remain unmatched. His quotes about his music and life are a testament to the power of his talent and artistry. His words and music will continue to inspire generations to come.
