The Fastest Guitar Alive
Roy Orbison Lyrics


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Hey, here I go a lucky so and so
Happy 'cause I know, I've got my fast guitar
Singing pretty songs, knowing I belong
I am first and last and always a fast guitar

The fastest guitar alive
Rattling strings like a gattling gun
Shaped like a lovely woman

Stay right where you are
My guitar is a fast guitar
The fastest guitar alive

I'm rolling on like a rolling stone
Gathering no moss, I play a boss guitar

The fastest guitar alive
Strumming like a battling soldiers drum
Shaped like a lovely woman

Stay right where you are
My guitar is a fast guitar
The fastest guitar alive

Hey, here I go a lucky so and so
Happy 'cause I know, I've got my fast guitar

The fastest guitar




The fastest guitar
The fastest guitar alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "The Fastest Guitar Alive" by Roy Orbison are all about his guitar and how it helps him to do what he loves best, making music. The opening lines of the song express his happiness and gratitude for having his fast guitar, which he refers to as a "lucky so and so." Orbison sings about using his guitar's fast and rattling strings to create beautiful music, and how it makes him feel like he belongs. The guitar is personified as a woman, which may be a subtle metaphor for the way he feels when he's playing it.


Furthermore, Roy Orbison sings about how his guitar is not only fast, but also shaped like a lovely woman. The song's verses make it clear that Orbison sees his guitar as a powerful tool that allows him to create and perform amazing music. He likens his guitar to a "rolling stone" that is always gathering momentum, and he describes the strumming of the strings as a "soldier's drum." In the end, the message of the song is that the guitar is not just a tool, but a force to be reckoned with.


Overall, "The Fastest Guitar Alive" is a celebration of music and the power of the guitar. Through its lyrics, Orbison expresses not just his admiration for his own instrument, but also his deep love for the art form that he has dedicated his life to.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, here I go a lucky so and so
I am excited to play my guitar and feeling fortunate.


Happy 'cause I know, I've got my fast guitar
I am happy and content because I have my fast guitar in my possession.


Singing pretty songs, knowing I belong
I have found my place in singing beautiful songs with my guitar accompanying me.


I am first and last and always a fast guitar
My guitar playing is exceptional, always quick and passionate. It is a defining characteristic of my music.


The fastest guitar alive
I am proud of my guitar's impressive speed and pace.


Rattling strings like a gattling gun
The sound of my guitar is loud and rapid, like a machine gun when I play very fast.


Shaped like a lovely woman
The body of my guitar is beautiful and curves like a feminine shape.


Stay right where you are
I am telling the audience to remain in their seats while I perform so they don't miss anything.


My guitar is a fast guitar
I emphasize again that my guitar is fast and speedy.


I'm rolling on like a rolling stone
I am continuing my journey like a person travelling and collecting experiences. Nothing is holding me back, and I'm playing my guitar with ease.


Gathering no moss, I play a boss guitar
I am not staying in one place too long but consistently playing good music on my guitar, which is one of the best.


Strumming like a battling soldiers drum
I am playing my guitar like it's a proud soldier's drum in the middle of a battleground.


Hey, here I go a lucky so and so
I am still feeling energetic, lucky and grateful to be playing my guitar.


The fastest guitar
The focus is still primarily on the impressive speed and quality of my guitar playing.


The fastest guitar
Again, the phrase 'the fastest guitar' is repeated to emphasize its importance.


The fastest guitar alive
I end the song by declaring my guitar as the fastest and vital to my music's success.




Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, R-Key Darkus
Written by: Bill Dees, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Pale Rider1861

Roy Orbison was one of the greatest vocal talents of his generation, and a remarkable human being, as well. His incredible singing voice was perhaps, in some way, enhanced by all the tragedy he endured in his life. You're my hero, Roy...RIP with your wife and children.

Robin Ruth

that voice, song, flamenco strumming, and outfit. I love this.

BILL DEAN

FOOKIN' FANTASTIC; A TREAT.

Mike Smith

At the age of 20, 30, 40 or 50 the voice perfectly just brilliant. Truely a gifted man that loved to share his talent.

Harri Joy

Great video watching the movie now on Turner Classic Moves , he sings songs all thru the movie

Inge Dreuw

Gänsehaut sofort wenn er anfängt zu singen jedes Mal,,bin auch immer traurig 😢 weil ich weiß das das Schicksal nicht so gut zu ihm war..Dankeschön fürs schreiben lieber roy Orbison ❤❤

Phil Cross

Fantastic scene along with great singing.

Lawrence Keith Sullivan

First heard this song in 1969 and grew up listening to the orig Mercury 45rpm at grandmother's house on my uncle's Philips battery powered record player. Didn't know there was a movie til years later. Wish he had of done more of this style as his vocals are perfect! I still have both 45 and record player still work perfectly fine 52 years later!! FANTASTIC song, my most favourite and the BEST one he ever sang! :)

snyder3225

had no idea he could play like that--wish there were more videos of his guitar playing

Thoracius Appotite

It’s a movie. He isn’t actually playing. He’s miming.

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