
Roy Orbison – “Crying”: A Heartbreaking Ballad of Love and Loss
Released in 1961, Crying by Roy Orbison stands as one of the most emotionally powerful songs in the history of popular music. Written by Orbison and Joe Melson, the song is a poignant ballad that explores the themes of heartbreak, regret, and the emotional turmoil that comes with lost love. With its soaring vocals, rich orchestration, and deep vulnerability, Crying remains one of Orbison’s signature songs and a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners across generations.
The Story Behind “Crying”
At its core, Crying is a story of unrequited love and the pain of seeing someone you love move on with another person. The song narrates the emotional journey of a man who has been abandoned by his lover and is left to deal with the overwhelming sadness and sense of betrayal. As the narrator watches his ex-lover with someone else, he can’t help but cry, feeling helpless and heartbroken.
The song’s central theme is one of emotional vulnerability, as the narrator grapples with the realization that the love he once had is gone, and there’s nothing he can do to change it. The opening line, “I was all right for a while, I could smile for a while,” captures the fleeting moments of happiness before the full weight of loss hits. The chorus then delivers the gut-wrenching line, “And I cried, oh, I cried.” It’s a powerful expression of raw emotion that feels deeply personal and universally relatable.
Roy Orbison’s Voice: A Vessel of Emotion
What truly sets Crying apart is Roy Orbison’s extraordinary voice. Known for his wide vocal range and ability to convey profound emotion, Orbison delivers the song with a level of vulnerability and anguish that few performers can match. His voice rises and falls with the song’s melody, effortlessly moving between moments of quiet reflection and passionate intensity.
Orbison’s signature “blue” sound—marked by his ability to blend sorrow with tenderness—makes every line feel like an intimate confession. When he sings, “I was crying over you,” it feels as though he is speaking directly to the listener, sharing a pain that is both deeply personal and universal. His emotional delivery captures the complexity of heartbreak: the initial numbness, the overwhelming sorrow, and finally, the emotional release of crying.
The Orchestration and Arrangement

The song’s orchestration also plays a significant role in enhancing its emotional depth. The lush string arrangement, combined with a simple yet effective rhythm section, creates a rich sonic backdrop for Orbison’s voice. The music swells at key moments, underscoring the intensity of the lyrics and adding a dramatic flair that enhances the song’s emotional pull. The melancholy tone of the strings perfectly complements the theme of the song, elevating the sense of longing and despair.
In addition to the orchestration, the arrangement of Crying also highlights the contrast between the narrator’s internal pain and the external world that moves on around him. The orchestral build-up emphasizes the emotional crescendo of the song, mirroring the narrator’s journey through his grief.
The Legacy of “Crying”
Upon its release, Crying became a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in multiple countries around the world. It was a defining moment in Roy Orbison’s career, cementing his status as one of the most powerful vocalists of his generation. The song’s emotional weight and its masterful blend of pop, rock, and orchestral elements resonated with a broad audience, making it one of Orbison’s most beloved songs.
In the years since its release, Crying has been covered by numerous artists across a wide range of genres, from Don McLean to k.d. lang, further attesting to the song’s enduring appeal. One of the most famous covers was by k.d. lang, whose rendition of the song with Orbison in 1989 won critical acclaim and introduced Crying to a new generation of listeners. The collaboration between Orbison and lang was a powerful tribute to the original song’s themes of heartbreak and love.
Why “Crying” Still Resonates
What makes Crying a timeless classic is its ability to evoke raw, unfiltered emotion. The song taps into a universal experience: the pain of losing someone you love, the helplessness that comes with unrequited love, and the emotional release that crying provides. The vulnerability in Orbison’s voice and the intensity of the lyrics create a song that feels both intensely personal and widely relatable.
Despite being over six decades old, Crying continues to connect with listeners, demonstrating the song’s enduring power to touch the heart. Its themes of heartbreak and longing are as relevant today as they were when the song was first released, making it a staple in the canon of great love songs.
Conclusion: A Timeless Expression of Heartache
Crying* by Roy Orbison remains one of the most profound and evocative expressions of love and loss in popular music. With its haunting melody, emotional depth, and Orbison’s unmatched vocal delivery, the song stands as a testament to the power of music to convey the most complex human emotions. Whether you are listening to the original version or a cover, Crying never fails to stir the heart, making it a timeless classic that will continue to be cherished for years to come.
Lyrics
I was all right for awhile
I could smile for awhile
But I saw you last night
You held my hand so tight
As you stopped to say, “Hello”Oh, you wished me well
You, you couldn’t tell
That I’d been crying over you
Crying over youWhen you said, “So long”
Left me standing all alone
Alone and crying, crying
Crying, cryingIt’s hard to understand
But the touch of your hand
Can start me cryingI thought that I was over you
But it’s true, so true
I love you even more
Than I did beforeBut, darling, what can I do?
For you don’t love me
And I’ll always be crying over you
Crying over youYes, now you’re gone
And from this moment on
I’ll be crying, crying
Crying, crying
Yeah, crying, crying
Over you
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