Cry Softly Lonely One
Roy Orbison · 1967
29 min · 11 tracks · country music
Melancholic melodies intertwine with Orbison's soaring vocals, creating a haunting and introspective atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cry Softly, Lonely One Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's emotional core, blending rich orchestration with Orbison's signature vocal style to convey profound longing.
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Here Comes the Rain, Baby — This track stands out for its evocative imagery and metaphorical lyrics, illustrating themes of love lost with a poignant sense of urgency that is characteristic of Orbison's work.
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She — As one of the more upbeat tracks, 'She' contrasts with the album's overall tone while showcasing Orbison's versatility and ability to blend rock elements with heartfelt balladry.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and emotional depth, supported by orchestral arrangements and Orbison's distinctive voice.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate orchestral arrangements, adding depth to the melancholic melodies and enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- poignant reflections on love
- short bursts of emotional depth
- front-loaded impactful storytelling
- melancholic moments for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of lengthy epics
- prefer upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Notable for emotional depth, but not a major commercial success.
- Themes
- emotional longing· orchestral heartbreak· love lost imagery
- Career context
- Released in 1967, Cry Softly Lonely One marked Roy Orbison's continued evolution as an artist following his breakthrough in the early 1960s. This album came after his successful run with hits like 'Oh, Pretty Woman' and showcased a more mature sound that solidified his status in the pop landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Chris Isaak· Gene Pitney· The Righteous Brothers
Tracklist
- 1 She 2:38
- 2 Communication Breakdown 2:57
- 3 Cry Softly, Lonely One Start here 2:52
- 4 Girl Like Mine 2:20
- 5 It Takes One (To Know One) 2:56
- 6 Just Let Me Make Believe 2:33
- 7 Here Comes the Rain, Baby 2:50
- 8 That's a No-No 2:42
- 9 Memories 2:48
- 10 Time to Cry 2:38
- 11 Only Alive 2:04
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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