Roy Orbison: Discovering Hidden Music Gems

There’s so many genres of music and so many styles. Some are perfect for easy listening, some are great for workouts, some make you pause and think about stuff. Some music makes you wanna dance, or cry, or fall asleep. And then there’s also music that makes you feel good. Just make you feel more wholesome.

Roy Orbison is one of this amazing singers who posses the rare quality and gift to make you feel calm, relaxed and simply better. His unique voice is something that you have to hear, it’s hard to describe. If you believe what’s written in Wikipedia, they describe Roy’s voice as: “His voice ranged from baritone to tenor, and music scholars have suggested that he had a three- or four-octave range”. But this description doesn’t do it justice.

This truly exceptional gift and the songs he chose made him one of the best singers in history. It’s not a surprise legends like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Isaak, Mick Jagger were all speaking very highly of him.

As you can see by the names I mentioned, Roy Orbison is a very famous artist. he is not a unknown. But as the time moves, less and less people stumble upon his music. That’s what I’d be happy to change. If you like Rock and Roll, Rockabilly and old school Pop music, you might have heard his songs. But if you haven’t, well I kinda envy you. Because you get to hear and enjoy his music for the first time. You are in for quite an experience.

Who is the Roy Orbison? Short Bio

Roy Orbison was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who was born on April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas. He was known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads.

He had many hits in the early 1960s, such as “Only the Lonely”, “Crying”, and “Oh, Pretty Woman”. He co-founded the Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Jeff Lynne in 1988. He died of a heart attack on December 6, 1988 at age 52.

You can always check the official website for additional info if you are interested.

Music Style of Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison’s music style is really timeless. Yes, you can definitely say he belongs to the classic era of Rock and Roll and Rockabilly. But his music goes beyond the style. Something about just feels great. Is it because of the Roy’s voice and range? Maybe. Is it because of the lyrics? Quite possibly. Is it because the melodies and instruments? Sure. But everything combined together makes for unique style and music that can be appreciated in any era.

It’s also worth noting that Roy Orbison received many awards and honors. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

What makes Roy Orbison so special?

Roy Orbison and his music is like nothing else I have heard. He has amazing voice and it defines all his songs. But the catchy tunes and melodies in his multiple hits are just as great. Such music definitely brings in the feeling of simpler times and nostalgia for something calm and easy from our past. His music is simple but at the same time so rich with feelings and emotions.

It’s also a kind of music that is superb for soundtracks to all kinds of movies. When I hear it I think of movies by Martin Scorsese or Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino actually did use the song “There Won’t Be Many Coming Home” in the The Hateful Eight movie.

It’s also a perfect playlist for driving. Especially when you want to have a relaxed journey.

Best Song by Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison has many hits under his resume. Just to name a few: “Oh, Pretty Woman”, “Running Scared”, “In Dreams”, “Only the Lonely”. I bet you heard some of them without knowing who was the singer. So it’s hard to pin the absolute best. The choice would depend on your mood honestly.

If you’ve never heard Roy Orbison before, I recommend a song “All I Have to Do Is Dream” as you first listen. This is one of his many popular hits and you can’t go wrong with this one.

If you already listened to this song and want more, I got you covered. Check these TOP 10 songs by Roy Orbison. It’s my custom playlist, feel free to enjoy it on YT or Spotify.