Comments on: ROY ORBISON - “It’s Over”

By: wichita lineman

wichita lineman — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:00:21 +0000

Even now, I can’t believe this was a no.1. Think how often this turns up on oldies radio/film soundtracks compared to Oh Pretty Woman! It’s hard to think of even a Scott Walker song that comes close to what Tom rightly calls this “private armageddon”.

I’ve come to this slot via the piece on Don McLean’s limp cover of Crying and wanted to draw some attention to the Big O singles that followed It’s Over, none of which were major hits.

Crawling Back does pretty much what you’d expect, times three, desperate and kind of angry, with subtle moodswings: “Only you - and no one else - can keep me crawling back.”

Cry Softly Lonely One is Roy as benevolent father figure, the shoulder for It’s Over’s victim to cry on, with minor-key finger-clicking and some gorgeously fey bv’s from unknown sources. It’s as close as he gets to The Association ( I’m assuming that was his intention, but it’s closer to Mahler).

Southbound Jericho Parkway (flip in the UK to My Friend) is a 7 minute suicide note from a failed businessman, taking in the reactions of his wife, daughter, and hippie son. Right down to the life insurance cheque. It has no chorus. I love Roy Orbison.

By: SteveIson

SteveIson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:12:00 +0000

Genius.I love how he just does that one huge ‘Its Over’ at the end..He could’ve milked that so much-but the track would’ve been the worse for it..

By: Waldo

Waldo — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:51:44 +0000

This is one of the greatest tracks of the rock/pop era. Faultless.

By: Blue Cougar

Blue Cougar — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 16:46:24 +0000

Roy was certainly light years ahead of many of the other Rock n rollers.. he did not just stick with the same old 3 bar blues chords and was happy to throw in the minors..

Such a shame he is gone..

Rene - The Blue Cougars

By: otherdeb

otherdeb — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:42:34 +0000

You are so spot on on this one I can’t begin to say!