Summary

“Crying” stands as one of the most emotionally devastating ballads in rock and roll history. Released in July 1961 on Monument Records, this Roy Orbison and Joe Melson composition transformed personal heartbreak into universal art. Orbison’s otherworldly voice—capable of moving from vulnerable intimacy to operatic intensity within a single phrase—finds its ultimate expression here. The song’s dramatic structure, building inexorably to its shattering final note, established a template for emotional pop balladry that influenced generations of artists from Elvis Presley to Chris Isaak. More than six decades later, “Crying” remains the definitive document of Orbison’s singular genius and continues to move listeners with its raw, unguarded exploration of grief and longing.

Core Facts

Timeline

• Late 1960: Roy Orbison encounters a former girlfriend, sparking the emotional inspiration for “Crying”
• Early 1961: Orbison and co-writer Joe Melson compose “Crying” in Nashville
• Spring 1961: Recording sessions take place at RCA Studio B in Nashville with producer Fred Foster
• July 1961: “Crying” released as a single on Monument Records
• August 1961: Song enters the Billboard Hot 100
• September 1961: “Crying” peaks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
• 1962: Song becomes an international hit, charting across Europe
• 1980: Don McLean records a successful cover version, reaching #5 in the US
• 1987: Roy Orbison records a duet version with k.d. lang for the film “Hiding Out”
• 1989: Orbison/k.d. lang version wins Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration (awarded posthumously)
• 2001: “Llorando” (Spanish version by Rebekah Del Rio) featured prominently in David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive”
• 2002: Original recording inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame

Historical Context

“Crying” emerged during a transformative period in American popular music. In 1961, the raw energy of early rock and roll was evolving into more sophisticated pop productions. The Brill Building era was in full swing, Phil Spector was developing his Wall of Sound, and Motown was redefining R&B. Into this landscape came Roy Orbison, an artist who defied easy categorization.

Unlike his contemporaries, Orbison wasn’t a dynamic stage performer or teen idol. Partially blind since childhood and painfully shy, he stood virtually motionless during performances, dressed entirely in black behind dark sunglasses. Yet his voice—a three-octave instrument of extraordinary power and sensitivity—transcended all limitations. Producer Fred Foster recognized this unique gift and created intimate, orchestral arrangements that showcased Orbison’s vocal abilities rather than competing with them.

“Crying” came on the heels of Orbison’s breakthrough hits “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared,” both of which had established his specialty in emotionally intense ballads. The song’s deeply personal origin story—Orbison’s chance encounter with an ex-girlfriend and his subsequent emotional collapse—gave it an authenticity that listeners immediately recognized. In an era when male vulnerability was rarely expressed in popular music, Orbison’s willingness to expose raw emotion was revolutionary.

The recording took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, the same facility where Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, and countless country legends had recorded. Fred Foster assembled Nashville’s finest session musicians and added lush strings and backing vocals that elevated the song to quasi-operatic grandeur without overwhelming its emotional intimacy.

Musical Significance & Innovation

Musically, “Crying” represents a masterclass in dramatic construction. The song eschews conventional verse-chorus structure in favor of a continuously building emotional arc. It begins with a gentle, almost conversational opening, as Orbison recalls his failed attempt to appear composed when seeing his former love. The arrangement starts sparse—just acoustic guitar, light percussion, and that unmistakable voice.

As the narrative progresses, layers accumulate: strings swell, backing vocals enter, and Orbison’s voice rises in intensity. The key modulations are crucial to the song’s impact, lifting the emotional stakes with each new section. This “building block” approach to arrangement would become an Orbison signature, later employed to devastating effect in songs like “In Dreams” and “It’s Over.”

The technical demands of “Crying” are extraordinary. Orbison’s vocal spans nearly two octaves within the song, moving from intimate baritone passages to soaring falsetto. The final sustained note—where Orbison holds “crying” while seemingly ascending into pure anguish—has become one of the most iconic vocal moments in popular music history. Few singers could attempt it; fewer still could imbue it with such emotional authenticity.

The production by Fred Foster deserves recognition as well. The use of strings was sophisticated for early 1960s rock, anticipating the baroque pop developments that would flourish later in the decade. Foster’s arrangement allows space for Orbison’s voice while providing orchestral support that amplifies the emotional impact without overwhelming it.

Harmonically, “Crying” employs unexpected chord progressions that enhance its emotional complexity. The song moves through keys in a way that creates constant tension and release, mirroring the psychological experience of grief itself. This sophisticated harmonic language distinguished Orbison from his contemporaries and aligned him more closely with Tin Pan Alley craftsmanship than rock and roll simplicity.

Cultural Impact & Legacy

“Crying” has proven remarkably durable across decades and genres. Its influence extends far beyond its initial commercial success, shaping how subsequent generations of artists approach emotional expression in popular music.

Don McLean’s 1980 cover version demonstrated the song’s enduring appeal, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100—actually charting higher than Orbison’s original. McLean’s faithful interpretation introduced the song to a new generation while honoring its emotional core.

The 1987 duet with k.d. lang represents perhaps the most significant reimagining. Recorded shortly before Orbison’s death, the collaboration paired his weathered but still powerful voice with lang’s extraordinary instrument. Their version, featured in the film “Hiding Out,” won the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration in 1989—a bittersweet posthumous honor following Orbison’s death from a heart attack in December 1988.

David Lynch’s use of “Llorando”—a Spanish-language interpretation by Rebekah Del Rio—in his 2001 masterpiece “Mulholland Drive” introduced the song to art-house audiences and demonstrated its capacity for recontextualization. The scene, in which Del Rio performs the song live before collapsing while the recorded vocal continues, has become one of cinema’s most haunting musical moments.

Artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Chris Isaak have cited Orbison’s emotional directness as a primary influence. Springsteen, who inducted Orbison into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, spoke of being “transfixed” by Orbison’s willingness to express vulnerability. This influence can be heard in countless power ballads of the 1980s and 1990s, even when those songs lack Orbison’s restraint and sophistication.

The song’s preservation in the Grammy Hall of Fame (2002) and the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry recognizes its cultural significance. These honors acknowledge “Crying” as not merely a popular hit but an enduring artistic achievement that represents a pinnacle of emotional expression in recorded music.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inspired Roy Orbison to write “Crying”?

Roy Orbison was inspired to write “Crying” after an encounter with a former girlfriend. He saw her unexpectedly and, despite trying to appear unaffected, was overcome with emotion after she left. This real-life experience of suppressed grief became the foundation for the song’s powerful narrative.

How high did “Crying” reach on the Billboard charts?

“Crying” reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. It was held from the top spot but remained one of Orbison’s signature songs and most commercially successful releases.

Who co-wrote “Crying” with Roy Orbison?

Joe Melson co-wrote “Crying” with Roy Orbison. Melson was Orbison’s primary songwriting partner during his early Monument Records era, and together they crafted many of his greatest hits including “Only the Lonely” and “Running Scared.”

What is unique about Roy Orbison’s vocal performance on “Crying”?

Orbison’s vocal on “Crying” showcases his remarkable three-octave range and his signature ability to transition seamlessly from a tender whisper to a powerful operatic crescendo. The final note, where he sustains an emotionally devastating high note, has become one of the most iconic moments in rock and roll history.

Did “Crying” win any awards or receive special recognition?

A 1987 duet version of “Crying” featuring Roy Orbison and k.d. lang won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration in 1989. The original 1961 recording has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and is preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

What films have featured “Crying”?

“Crying” has appeared in numerous films, most notably David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive” (2001), where a Spanish-language version (“Llorando”) serves as a pivotal emotional moment. The song has also been featured in various other films and television shows, cementing its status as a timeless emotional touchstone.

How does the structure of “Crying” differ from typical pop songs?

Unlike conventional verse-chorus pop structures, “Crying” employs a continuously building emotional arc with no traditional chorus. The song moves through key changes that progressively raise the emotional intensity, culminating in the famous sustained final note. This “building block” approach became an Orbison signature.

Sources & Verification

• Amburn, Ellis. Dark Star: The Roy Orbison Story. Carol Publishing Group, 1990. Biography providing detailed accounts of Orbison’s songwriting process and the personal inspiration behind “Crying.”
• Clayson, Alan. Only the Lonely: Roy Orbison’s Life and Legacy. St. Martin’s Press, 1989. Comprehensive biography with recording session details and chart history.
• Lehman, Peter. Roy Orbison: The Invention of an Alternative Rock Masculinity. Temple University Press, 2003. Academic analysis of Orbison’s emotional approach and cultural significance.
• Billboard Magazine Archives. Chart positions and peak dates for “Crying” on the Hot 100 and other Billboard charts, 1961.
• Grammy Awards Database. Official records of Grammy Hall of Fame induction (2002) and Best Country Vocal Collaboration award (1989).
• Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Documentation of “Crying” as a culturally significant recording.
• AllMusic. Roy Orbison Artist Biography and Discography. Professional music database with recording details and critical assessments.
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Roy Orbison induction materials (1987), including Bruce Springsteen’s induction speech.
• Rolling Stone Magazine. Various retrospective articles on Roy Orbison and rankings in greatest songs lists.
• Zak, Albin. The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records. University of California Press, 2001. Technical analysis of 1960s recording techniques relevant to Nashville productions.