About the song
Background and writing
“Oh, Pretty Woman” is a song written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. It was recorded by Orbison in 1964 and released as a single on the Monument label. The song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and number two on the UK Singles Chart.
The song is a beautiful and catchy ballad about a young man who is smitten with a woman he sees walking down the street. The lyrics are simple but effective, and they perfectly capture the feeling of being struck by love at first sight. The song’s distinctive melody and Orbison’s powerful vocals have made it a timeless classic.
Recording and production
Roy Orbison’s version of “Oh, Pretty Woman” was recorded in 1964 at the Monument Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. The song was produced by Fred Foster. Foster was a successful record producer who worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson.
Impact and legacy
“Oh, Pretty Woman” is considered to be one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Bon Jovi. The song has also been used in several films and television shows, including “Pretty Woman” and “The Sopranos.”
Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter who was one of the most popular and influential rock and roll singers of the 1960s. Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas, in 1936. He began his musical career as a teenager, playing in a band with his friends.
In 1956, Orbison signed with Sun Records and released his debut single, “Ooby Dooby”. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Orbison continued to have hits throughout the 1960s, including “Oh, Pretty Woman”, “Crying”, and “In Dreams”.
Orbison’s career slowed down in the 1970s, but he continued to record and perform. He made a comeback in the 1980s, with the release of the album “In Dreams”. Orbison died in 1988 at the age of 52.
Conclusion
“Oh, Pretty Woman” is a classic rock and roll song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and catchy ballad about a young man who is smitten with a woman he sees walking down the street. Roy Orbison’s version is the definitive version of the song, and it is considered to be one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time.
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