Crying (Roy Orbison song)

1961 song by Roy Orbison

"Crying"

Single by Roy Orbison
from the album  Crying
B-side| "Candy Man"
Published| August 16, 1961 (1961-08-16) Acuff-Rose Publications, Inc.[1]
Released| July 1961 (1961-07)
Recorded| June 26, 1961[2]
Studio| RCA Victor Studio B, Nashville[2]
Genre|

* Country
* rock

Length| 2:46
Label| Monument 447
Songwriter(s)|

* Roy Orbison
* Joe Melson

Producer(s)| Fred Foster
Roy Orbison singles chronology
| "Running Scared" / "Love Hurts"
(1961)  | "Crying"
(1961)  | "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)"
(1962)

|
|

"Crying" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson for Orbison's third studio album of the same name (1962). Released in 1961, it was a number 2 hit in the US for Orbison and was covered in 1978 by Don McLean, whose version went to number 1 in the UK in 1980.

## Composition

[edit]

Dave Marsh calls the song a "rock-bolero" with "blaring strings, hammered tympani, a ghostly chorus, the gentle strum of a guitar, [and] a hint of marimba".[3] Billboard observes an "expressive reading" on the "country-flavored ballad."[4] The personnel on the original recording included Orbison session regulars Bob Moore on bass; Floyd Cramer on piano; Buddy Harman on drums; and Boudleaux Bryant, Harold Bradley,[5] and Scotty Moore[6] on guitar.

## Release and reception

[edit]

The song was released as a 45-rpm single by Monument Records in mid-July 1961[7] and reached No. 1 on the United States Cashbox chart for a week on October 7, 1961. On the rival Billboard Hot 100 it peaked at No. 2, where "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles and his Orchestra kept it from No. 1.[8] Despite not reaching the summit in the latter publication, Billboard ranked the record as the No. 4 song of 1961.[9]

In 2002, "Crying" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked it 69th on their list of the "500 greatest songs of all time".[10]

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1961)  | Peak
position

|

Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[11] | 3
UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 25
US Billboard Hot 100[13] | 2
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[14] | 1
Chart (1992)  | Peak
position

|

UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 13

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1961)  | Position

|

US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 4

## Don McLean version

[edit]

"Crying"

Single by Don McLean
from the album  Chain Lightning
B-side| "Genesis (In the Beginning)"
Released| 1980
Genre|

* Country
* easy listening

Length| 3:35
Label| Millennium
Songwriter(s)|

* Roy Orbison
* Joe Melson

Don McLean singles chronology
| "Since I Don't Have You"
(1978)  | "Crying"
(1980)  | "It's Just the Sun"
(1981)

|
|

Don McLean's recording of the song went to No. 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1981.[16] His version of "Crying" also reached No. 2 adult contemporary and No. 6 Country. It fared even better in the UK, where it reached No. 1 in 1980, spending three weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart.[17] "Crying" was taken from his 1978 album, Chain Lightning. It became his second biggest hit in America.

### Charts

[edit]

#### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1980–1981)  | Peak
position

|

Australia | 27
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] | 1
Canada RPM Top Singles  | 7
Canada RPM Country  | 1
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] | 1
New Zealand[21] | 11
South Africa (Springbok)[22] | 3
UK Singles Chart | 1
US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 5
US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 2
US Billboard Country  | 6
US Cash Box Top 100[24] | 6

#### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1980)  | Rank

|

Australia[25] | 119
Netherlands[26] | 5
South Africa[27] | 19
UK Singles Chart[28] | 15
Chart (1981)  | Rank

|

Canada[29] | 49
US Billboard Hot 100[30] | 40
US Cash Box[31] | 52

### Sales and certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Crying"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Netherlands (NVPI)[32] | Gold  | 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[33] | Silver  | 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Roy Orbison and k.d. lang version

[edit]

"Crying"

Single by Roy Orbison and k.d. lang
from the album  King of Hearts and Hiding Out soundtrack
B-side| "Falling"
Released| 1987
Length| 3:48
Label| Virgin
Songwriter(s)|

* Roy Orbison
* Joe Melson

Producer(s)|

* Don Was
* David Was
* Pete Anderson

Roy Orbison singles chronology
| "In Dreams"
(1987)  | "Crying"
(1987)  | "Handle with Care"
(1988)

|
|

k.d. lang singles chronology
| "Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray"
(1987)  | "Crying"
(1987)  | "Honky Tonk Angels Medley"
(1988)

|
|

Orbison rerecorded the song as a duet with Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang as part of the soundtrack to the motion picture Hiding Out and released it as a single in 1987. Their collaboration won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. It reached No. 2 in Lang's native Canada, and No. 28 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 42 on the Hot Country Singles chart in the US. In 1992, it reached the charts in the UK and Ireland, peaking at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 9 on the Irish Singles Chart. It returned to the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1993, peaking at No. 40.

### Track listings

[edit]

7-inch and cassette single (1987, 1992)[34][35][36]

1. "Crying" (with k.d. lang) – 3:48
2. "Falling" – 2:22

UK CD1 and Australian CD single (1992)[37]

1. "Crying" (with k.d. lang)
2. "Falling"
3. "Oh, Pretty Woman"
4. "She's a Mystery to Me"

UK CD2 (1992)[38]

1. "Crying" (with k.d. lang)
2. "Falling"
3. "Only the Lonely"
4. "It's Over"

### Charts

[edit]

#### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1988)  | Peak
position

|

Canada Top Singles (RPM)[39] | 2
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[40] | 5
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[41] | 25
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[42] | 47
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[43] | 28
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[44] | 42
Chart (1992–1993)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[45] | 71
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[46] | 36
Ireland (IRMA)[19] | 9
UK Singles (OCC)[47] | 13
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[48] | 40

#### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1988)  | Position

|

Canada Top Singles (RPM)[49] | 45

### Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | November 1987  | 7-inch vinyl  | Virgin |
Canada  |
Australia  | February 1988  |
United Kingdom  | August 10, 1992  |

* 7-inch vinyl
* CD1
* cassette

| [50]
August 17, 1992  | CD2  | [51]
Japan  | November 18, 1992  | Mini-CD  | [52]

## Notable cover versions

[edit]

* A version by Jay and the Americans reached No. 25 in the US in 1966.
* Three other cover versions made country music charts over time. Charting with the song were:
* Del Shannon (1964)
* Arlene Harden (No. 28 in 1970),[53]
* Ronnie Milsap (No. 79 in 1976)[54]
* Stephanie Winslow (No. 14 in 1980).[55]
* Rebekah Del Rio performed an a cappella Spanish language version of the song entitled "Llorando" in the 2001 David Lynch film Mulholland Drive.[56]
* Waylon Jennings (1964)

## Appearances in film, television and other media

[edit]

This section may contain irrelevant references to popular culture. Please help Wikipedia to improve this section by removing the content or adding citations to reliable and independent sources. (July 2018)

|

* US presidential candidate Mitt Romney mentioned this song among his top 10 songs of all time in March 2012.[57]
* In 2011, "Crying" was featured in the American comedy-drama film 50/50.[58]
* "Crying" was featured in an episode of Only Fools and Horses. The episode "Stage Fright" featured Raquel and a guest character (Tony Angelino, played by Philip Pope) singing this song at a function. Angelino had a rhotacism, causing him to pronounce his Rs incorrectly.
* "Crying" was featured in The Walking Dead television series in season 7, episode 3, "The Cell". The song is played by Dwight for Daryl in his cell after he was given an image of Glenn Rhee's deceased body. This is done in an attempt to break Daryl's spirit so that he might switch to the Savior's.[citation needed]

The song is also used in the 1997 film "Gummo".

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Library of Congress. Copyright Office. (1961). Catalog of Copyright Entries 1961 Music July-Dec 3D Ser Vol 15 Pt 5. United States Copyright Office. U.S. Govt. Print. Off.
2. ^ a b Weize, Richard (2001). Orbison 1955-1965 (7-CD Deluxe Box Set) (booklet). Bear Family Records. BCD16423. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
3. ^ Marsh, Dave (1999). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Da Capo Press. pp. 75–76. ISBN 030680901X.
4. ^ "Spotlight Singles of the Week". Billboard. July 31, 1961. p. 27. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
5. ^ Full Committee Hearing on Assessing the Impact of the Copyright Royalty Rates on Recording Artists and Webcasters. U.S. Government Printing Office. 2007. ISBN 9780160802638.
6. ^ "RIP Scotty Moore". Royorbison.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
7. ^ Orbison, Roy Jr. (2017). The Authorized Roy Orbison. Orbison, Wesley,, Orbison, Alex,, Slate, Jeff (First ed.). New York: Center Street. ISBN 9781478976547. OCLC 1017566749.
8. ^ "Top 100 Songs - Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
9. ^ "Chart Toppers". Billboard. December 25, 1961. p. 10.
10. ^ "Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time". Rolling Stone. April 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
11. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade, week of October 09, 1961".
12. ^ a b "Roy Orbison: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
13. ^ "Roy Orbison Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
14. ^ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles week ending October 7, 1961". cashboxmagazine.com.
15. ^ "Chart Toppers - Hot 100 for 1961 - Top Sides of the Year" (PDF). The Billboard. January 6, 1962. p. 33.
16. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Chart History : "Crying" - Don McLean". Song-database.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
17. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 382\. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
18. ^ "Don Mclean – Crying" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
19. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Crying". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
20. ^ "Top 40-lijst van week 10, 1980". Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
21. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. October 19, 1980. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
22. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
23. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–2002
24. ^ "Top 100 1981-03-28". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
25. ^ "Australian Chart Books". Australianchartbooks.com.au. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
26. ^ "Dutch Charts - dutchcharts.nl". dutchcharts.nl.
27. ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1980". Retrieved December 26, 2018.
28. ^ "UK Singles of the Year" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications. December 27, 1980. p. 30. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
29. ^ The 1981 Top 100 Singles chart is identified by the RPM Year-End article "Top 100 Singles (1981)". RPM. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
30. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1981/Top 100 Songs of 1981". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
31. ^ "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1981". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
32. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Roy Orbison – Crying" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved July 16, 2022. Enter Crying  in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1980 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
33. ^ "British single certifications – Don McLean – Crying". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
34. ^ Crying (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Roy Orbison, k.d. lang. Virgin Records. 1987. 7-99388.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
35. ^ Crying (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Roy Orbison, k.d. lang. Virgin Records. 1992. VUS 63, 7243 8 90012 73.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
36. ^ Crying (UK cassette single sleeve). Roy Orbison, k.d. lang. Virgin Records. 1992. VUSC 63, 7243 8 90012 42.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
37. ^ Crying (UK CD1 liner notes). Roy Orbison, k.d. lang. Virgin Records. 1992. VUSCD 63, 7243 8 90012 28.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
38. ^ Crying (UK CD2 liner notes). Roy Orbison, k.d. lang. Virgin Records. 1992. VUSCX 63, 7243 8 90025 22.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
39. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0941." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
40. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8898." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
41. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 0945." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
42. ^ "Roy Orbison with k.d. lang – Crying". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
43. ^ "Roy Orbison Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
44. ^ "Roy Orbison Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
45. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 161.
46. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 37\. September 12, 1992. p. 15. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
47. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
48. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 180.
49. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10\. December 24, 1988. p. 9. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
50. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 8, 1992. p. 19.
51. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. August 15, 1992. p. 21.
52. ^ "クライング | ロイ・オービソン" [Crying | Roy Orbison] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
53. ^ Whitburn, p. 179
54. ^ Whitburn, p. 279
55. ^ Whitburn, p. 472
56. ^ Taubin, Amy (September–October 2001). "In Dreams", Film Comment, 37 (5), p. 51–55.
57. ^ "Mitt Romney names the greatest tunes off all time". Politico. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
58. ^ "IMDB soundtrack list for the movie 50/50". IMDb.com. 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* "Crying" at Allmusic

* v
* t
* e

Roy Orbison

Discography

Studio albums|

* Lonely and Blue
* Roy Orbison at the Rock House
* Crying
* In Dreams
* There Is Only One Roy Orbison
* Orbisongs
* The Orbison Way
* The Classic Roy Orbison
* Roy Orbison Sings Don Gibson
* The Fastest Guitar Alive
* Cry Softly Lonely One
* Roy Orbison's Many Moods
* Big O
* Hank Williams: The Roy Orbison Way
* Roy Orbison Sings
* Memphis
* Milestones
* I'm Still in Love With You
* Regeneration
* Laminar Flow
* In Dreams: The Greatest Hits studio re-recordings of earlier hits)
* Mystery Girl
* King of Hearts
* One of the Lonely Ones

Compilations|

* Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits
* More of Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits
* Early Orbison
* The Great Songs of Roy Orbison
* The All-Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison
* In Dreams: The Greatest Hits
* The Legendary Roy Orbison
* 16 Biggest Hits
* Greatest Hits Live
* The Essential Roy Orbison
* A Love So Beautiful
* Unchained Melodies

Collaborations|

* Class of '55
* Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1

Soundtrack appearances|

* Roadie
* Blue Velvet
* Less than Zero

Live|

* A Black & White Night Live

Singles|

* "Tryin' to Get to You"
* "Ooby Dooby"
* "Go Go Go"
* "Only the Lonely"
* "Blue Angel"
* "Running Scared"
* "Crying" / "Candy Man"
* "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)"
* "Working for the Man"
* "In Dreams"
* "Blue Bayou"
* "Pretty Paper"
* "It's Over"
* "Oh, Pretty Woman"
* "Memphis, Tennessee"
* "You Got It"
* "She's a Mystery to Me"
* "I Drove All Night"

Related articles|

* Traveling Wilburys
* Roy Orbison/The Beatles Tour
* Fred Foster
* In Dreams (musical)

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Jay and the Americans

* Sandy Deanne
* Howie Kane
* Jay Reincke
* Marty Sanders

* Jay Traynor
* Kenny Vance
* Jay Black

Studio albums|

* She Cried
* Come a Little Bit Closer
* Blockbusters
* Sunday and Me
* Livin' Above Your Head
* Try Some of This!
* Sands of Time
* Wax Museum
* Capture the Moment

Singles|

* "She Cried"
* "Come a Little Bit Closer"
* "Let's Lock the Door (And Throw Away the Key)"
* "Cara Mia"
* "Some Enchanted Evening"
* "Sunday and Me"
* "Crying"
* "No Other Love"
* "This Magic Moment"
* "Walkin' in the Rain"
* "There Goes My Baby"

Cover songs|

* "Here, There and Everywhere"
* "Hushabye"
* "It's a Big Wide Wonderful World"
* "Maria"
* "Monday, Monday"
* "Nature Boy"
* "Since I Don't Have You"
* "Solitary Man"
* "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)"
* "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me"
* "Tonight"

* v
* t
* e

k.d. lang

Studio albums|

| with The Reclines|

* A Truly Western Experience
* Angel with a Lariat
* Absolute Torch and Twang

|

Solo|

* Shadowland
* Ingénue
* All You Can Eat
* Invincible Summer
* Watershed

with The Siss Boom Bang|

* Sing It Loud

Covers|

* Drag
* Hymns of the 49th Parallel

with Tony Bennett|

* A Wonderful World

Other albums|

* Live by Request
* Reintarnation
* Recollection

Singles|

* "Rose Garden"
* "Crying"
* "Our Day Will Come"
* "Full Moon Full of Love"
* "Three Days"
* "Luck in My Eyes"
* "Constant Craving"
* "Miss Chatelaine"
* "Lifted by Love"
* "If I Were You"
* "(Theme from) Valley of the Dolls"
* "Summerfling"
* "What a Wonderful World"
* "Hallelujah"

Related|

* Discography
* case/lang/veirs

* v
* t
* e

Don McLean

Discography

Studio albums|

* Tapestry
* American Pie
* Don McLean
* Playin' Favorites
* Homeless Brother
* Prime Time
* Chain Lightning
* Believers
* Love Tracks
* Headroom
* Christmas
* The River of Love
* Christmas Dreams
* Sings Marty Robbins
* You've Got to Share Songs for Children
* The Western Album
* Rearview Mirror: An American Musical Journey
* Addicted to Black

Live albums|

* Solo
* Dominion
* Starry, Starry Night

Compilation albums|

* The Very Best of Don McLean
* And I Love You So
* Favorites and Rarities
* Legendary Songs of Don McLean
* Christmastime!

Singles|

* "Castles in the Air"
* "American Pie"
* "Vincent"
* "Wonderful Baby"
* "Crying"
* "Since I Don't Have You"
* "He's Got You"
* "You Can't Blame the Train"

Other songs|

* "And I Love You So"

Related|

* "The Saga Begins"
* Carol Sauvion
* "Killing Me Softly with His Song"

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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