(Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know the way I feel tonight (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know this feeling ain't right (Dum-dum-dummy 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
(Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know the heartaches I've been through (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know I cry and cry for you (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Maybe tomorrow a new romance
No-o-o more sorrow, but that's the chance
You've got to take, if your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know the way I feel tonight (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know this feeling ain't right (Dum-dum-dummy 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
(Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know the heartaches I've been through (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Know I cry and cry for you (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
Maybe tomorrow a new romance
No-o-o more sorrow, but that's the chance
You've got to take, if your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely (Dum-dum-dummy doo-wah)
song info:
Verified yes
LanguageEnglish
Genre−
Rank−
Duration00:03:19
Charts
Copyright ©Roy Orbison Music Company, Barbara Orbison Music Company, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing
WriterJoe Melson, Roy Orbison
Lyrics licensed byLyricFind
AddedNovember 5th, 2013
Last updatedMarch 5th, 2022
About"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" is a 1960 song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Orbison's recording of the song, produced by Fred Foster for Monument Records, was the first major hit for the singer. It was described by The New York Times as expressing "a clenched, driven urgency". Released as a 45 rpm single by Monument Records in May 1960, "Only the Lonely" went to No. 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts on 25 July 1960 (blocked by Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry") and No. 14 on the Billboard R&B charts. "Only the Lonely" reached Number One in the United Kingdom, a position it achieved on 20 October 1960, staying there for two weeks (out of a total of 24 weeks spent on the UK singles chart from 28 July 1960). The personnel on the original recording included Orbison's session regulars Buddy Harman on drums, Floyd Cramer on piano, Bob Moore on bass, and Hank Garland and Harold Bradley on guitar.
In 1969, country singer Sonny James recorded the song and had a number-one hit on the Billboard country music charts.
Orbison's version of his song has been used in motion pictures, including The Love Letter (1999) and Only the Lonely (1991).
Bruce Springsteen referred to the song in his 1975 song "Thunder Road", and when inducting Orbison into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Springsteen said, "In '75, when I went into the studio to make Born to Run, I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like Phil Spector, but most of all I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison." Springsteen originally intended to begin his album with an alarm clock followed by Orbison's song playing over the radio.
In 1969, country singer Sonny James recorded the song and had a number-one hit on the Billboard country music charts.
Orbison's version of his song has been used in motion pictures, including The Love Letter (1999) and Only the Lonely (1991).
Bruce Springsteen referred to the song in his 1975 song "Thunder Road", and when inducting Orbison into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Springsteen said, "In '75, when I went into the studio to make Born to Run, I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan that sounded like Phil Spector, but most of all I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison." Springsteen originally intended to begin his album with an alarm clock followed by Orbison's song playing over the radio.
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