Pretty Woman
Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash Lyrics
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Pretty woman the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman I don't believe you, you're not the truth
No one could look as good as you, mercy
Pretty woman won't you pardon me
Pretty woman I couldn't help but see
Pretty woman that you look lovely as can be
Pretty woman stop awhile
Pretty woman talk awhile
Pretty woman give your smile to me
Pretty woman yeah, yeah, yeah
Pretty woman look my way
Pretty woman say you'll stay with me
'Cause I need you, I'll treat you right
Come with me baby, be mine tonight
Pretty woman don't walk on by
Pretty woman don't make me cry
Pretty woman don't walk away, hey, OK
If that's the way it must be, OK
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait
What do I see?
Is she walkin' back to me?
Yeah, she's walkin' back to me
Oh, oh, pretty woman.
The lyrics of Roy Orbison's "Oh Pretty Woman" are focused on the beauty of a woman who crosses the singer's path. From the very beginning, the singer is mesmerized by the woman and the kind of person she is. He sings about her walking down the street, in a way that makes her stand out from the rest. He goes on to praise her looks and goes as far as to say that no one could look as good as her. The singer then proceeds to ask her to stop for a while, talk to him, and give him a smile.
As the song progresses, the singer's plea to the woman becomes more desperate, and he asks her not to walk away from him. He tries to make her stay with him, promising to treat her right. The song ends with the woman walking back to the singer, indicating that the singer's wish has been fulfilled.
At its core, "Oh Pretty Woman" is an ode to a woman's beauty and the impact it has on the singer. The songwriter has managed to capture the essence of a man's infatuation with a woman's looks, and how it can make him go to great lengths to win her over.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty woman, walkin' down the street
Beautiful lady strolling along the roadway
Pretty woman the kind I like to meet
Attractive lady that fits my ideal type
Pretty woman I don't believe you, you're not the truth
Doubting the reality of her beauty, no one could be that stunning, it's extraordinary
No one could look as good as you, mercy
It's unbelievable to think that anyone could look as beautiful as her, a remarkable sight to behold
Pretty woman won't you pardon me
Excuse me beautiful lady
Pretty woman I couldn't help but see
I had to take notice of your stunning appearance
Pretty woman that you look lovely as can be
You appear delightful and charming
Are you lonely just like me
Do you also feel the need for companionship?
Pretty woman stop awhile
Pause for a moment, beautiful lady
Pretty woman talk awhile
Engage in conversation with me, lovely lady
Pretty woman give your smile to me
Share your beautiful smile with me
Pretty woman yeah, yeah, yeah
Beautiful woman, enthusiastic affirmation
Pretty woman look my way
Gaze in my direction, beautiful lady
Pretty woman say you'll stay with me
Please tell me you'll spend time with me, lovely lady
'Cause I need you, I'll treat you right
I require your companionship and promise to treat you well
Come with me baby, be mine tonight
Join me and be my companion for the evening
Pretty woman don't walk on by
Beautiful lady, don't continue walking past me
Pretty woman don't make me cry
Gorgeous lady, please don't cause me to weep
Pretty woman don't walk away, hey, OK
Attractive woman, please don't leave me, okay?
If that's the way it must be, OK
If you must go, I understand
I guess I'll go on home, it's late
I suppose I'll head home now, it's getting late
There'll be tomorrow night, but wait
There's always tomorrow night, but hold on
What do I see?
What is that I perceive?
Is she walkin' back to me?
Is the lovely lady returning to me?
Yeah, she's walkin' back to me
Indeed, she's coming back to me
Oh, oh, pretty woman.
Oh, oh, beautiful woman
Lyrics ยฉ 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
@emilycathcart7387
No smoke and mirrors, just two great musicians having a good time playing music together. I love it!
@kathy1013
Two of the greatest.
@johnpatrick2292
Hi Kathy
@Katya_Lastochka
This is so wholesome. Roy changing keys for Johnny, Johnny apologizing for messing up the bridge. Theres just so much love and respect in this clip. I liked Cash's music, but my mom just loves Orbison. He seemed like a really nice guy, and what a voice.
@nicolematthews9139
I love how Johnny leaves space for Roy generally, he knows who he's accompanying. And the key change by Roy is so thoughtful
@erikkibler3466
Also shows a true mastery of his craft to just change the key and keep it rolling.he was the real deal.
@EPA18
I'm glad you noticed that Orbison is singing in a lower key to accommodate Cash
@Lincoln1242
Roy & Johnny fun fact:
These two fantastic guys were actually neighbors for 20 years in Tennessee
@matthewmartinez8570
I wish it was the 70s
Again they were both so great
@rattymolepuzzler
Best friends too!