Only the Lonely
Roy Orbison feat. Jackson Browne T Bone Burnett Elvis Costello k.d. lang Bonnie Raitt J.D. Souther B Lyrics


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(Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Oh, oh oh oh oh ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)

Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Know the way I feel tonight (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Know this feeling ain't right (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
There goes my baby, there goes my heart
They're gone forever, so far apart
But only the lonely know wh-why-why I cry, only the lonely
(Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Oh, oh oh oh oh ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)

Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Know the heartaches I've been through (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah
Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Know I cry and cry for you (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)

Maybe tomorrow a new romance
No-o-o more sorrow, but that's the chance




You've got to take, if your lonely heart breaks
Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)

Overall Meaning

The song "Only The Lonely" is a classic love ballad that expresses the pain and heartache of a person who has lost their loved one. The lyrics describe how only the lonely can understand the emotional turmoil and emptiness that comes with heartbreak. The opening lines "Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah" sets the tone of the song, implying that the singer is feeling lost and directionless without their loved one. The repeated phrase "only the lonely" emphasizes the theme of isolation and loneliness.


The first verse describes how the person's heart has been deeply broken as his loved one has gone away forever. The second verse depicts the pain and sorrow that the person has been living with since the breakup. The hope of a new love is expressed in the lines "Maybe tomorrow a new romance, No-o-o more sorrow, but that's the chance you've got to take if your lonely heart breaks." The song is ultimately about the pain of lost love and the hope for a new beginning.


Line by Line Meaning

Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
No one else but those who feel alone (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


Know the way I feel tonight (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
Understand the pain I'm going through (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)


Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
People who are isolated (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


Know this feeling ain't right (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Experience the notion that it's not okay (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


There goes my baby, there goes my heart
My lover has left me and taken my heart with them


They're gone forever, so far apart
I know they're never coming back, and we're now distant souls


But only the lonely know wh-why-why I cry, only the lonely
It's only those who are lonely that understand why I weep so much, only the lonely


(Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)
(Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah, ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)


(Oh, oh oh oh oh ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)
(Oh, oh oh oh oh ooh-ah-ah, only the lonely, only the lonely)


Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
No one else but those who feel alone (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


Know the heartaches I've been through (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah
Understand the emotional pain I've experienced (Ooh yay, yay, yay, yeah)


Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
People who are isolated (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


Know I cry and cry for you (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
Realize that my tears are for my lost love (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)


Maybe tomorrow a new romance
Perhaps tomorrow I'll find love again


No-o-o more sorrow, but that's the chance
There won't be any more painful moments, but it's a gamble


You've got to take, if your lonely heart breaks
It's necessary to pursue a new love if your heart is broken


Only the lonely (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)
No one else but those who feel alone (Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah)




Lyrics © Barbara Orbison Music Company, Roy Orbison Music Company
Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@shirleyduran6358

There’s no one like Roy Obison. He has such a clear voice and hits every note with such accuracy.

@gilsonsantos2587

Com certeza meu irmão, cada ser humano que nasce, é único.

@christerhermansson1916

Agree from sweden, very special

@granbololin

I´m 74 now and I watch this video once in a month or so. Tremendous band "ad hoc".I wish new generations would listen RO often ad admire his voice and performance

@radiomanze1296

This generation can not comprehend the talent on this stage. Nor do I think they can really appreciate the guitar riffs

@SwingFi

My goodness,
Imagine turning up to a Roy Orbison concert, blessed already to get a ticket to see the Big O, and the backing band includes Bruce Springsteen! Tom Waits! Elvis Costello! Bonnie Raitt! KD Lang! Jackson Browne! And many more. That must have been the best concert ever.

@Inigo_The_Son

@SwingFi I have watched this video dozens of times. My eyes are not what they once were, but I don't see any women on stage. Where did Bonnie Raitt and KD Lang appear?

@dwc4343

@@Inigo_The_Son This is just one song; you have to watch the entire Black and White concert to see them all. Not just this one song. By the way, she's only a backup singer. I don't recall the women singing with him, but I might be wrong on that. Been years since I watched the entire concert myself.

@HonestlyYours516

I love the part when all these well-known guitar players are playing their guitars for an extended period of time. It looks like they are all enjoying themselves immensely and there is absolutely no clash of egos there.

@juliaescalante3049

Yeeees

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