Historical Artist Profile
Roy Orbison
⭐ HOF Inductee / Class of 1987
Biography & Overview
Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist known for his distinctive and powerful voice, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. Orbison's most successful periods were in the early 1960s and the late 1980s. Many of Orbison's songs conveyed vulnerability at a time when most male performers projected strength.
🇺🇸 US Billboard Tracking History
15 Charted Tracks
"Running Scared"
Entered Charts: 1961
#1 HIT
"Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel)"
Entered Charts: 1960
Peak: #2
"Crying"
Entered Charts: 1961
Peak: #2
"Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)"
Entered Charts: 1962
Peak: #4
"Mean Woman Blues"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #5
"In Dreams"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #7
"Blue Angel"
Entered Charts: 1960
Peak: #9
"It's Over"
Entered Charts: 1964
Peak: #9
"You Got It"
Entered Charts: 1989
Peak: #9
"Pretty Paper"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #15
"Goodnight"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #21
"Falling"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #22
"Candy Man"
Entered Charts: 1961
Peak: #25
"Léah"
Entered Charts: 1962
Peak: #25
"Ride Away"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #25
🇬🇧 UK Official Charts History
34 Charted Tracks
"Only The Lonely"
Entered Charts: 1960
#1 HIT
"Oh, Ptty Woman"
Entered Charts: 1964
#1 HIT
"It's Over"
Entered Charts: 1964
#1 HIT
"Dam Baby"
Entered Charts: 1962
Peak: #2
"Blue Bayou/Mean Woman Blues"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #3
"Too Soon To Know"
Entered Charts: 1966
Peak: #3
"You Got It"
Entered Charts: 1989
Peak: #3
"In Dams"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #6
"Ptty Paper"
Entered Charts: 1964
Peak: #6
"I Drove All Night"
Entered Charts: 1992
Peak: #7
"Running Scad"
Entered Charts: 1961
Peak: #9
"Falling"
Entered Charts: 1963
Peak: #9
"Blue Angel"
Entered Charts: 1960
Peak: #11
"The Won'T Be Many Coming Home"
Entered Charts: 1966
Peak: #12
"Goodnight"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #14
"Borne On The Wind"
Entered Charts: 1964
Peak: #15
"Lana"
Entered Charts: 1966
Peak: #15
"Crawlin' Back"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #19
"Bakin' Up Is Bakin' My Heart"
Entered Charts: 1966
Peak: #22
"(Say) You' My Girl"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #23
"Cryin'"
Entered Charts: 1961
Peak: #25
"Penny Arcade"
Entered Charts: 1969
Peak: #27
"She'S A Mystery To Me"
Entered Charts: 1989
Peak: #27
"Twinkle Toes"
Entered Charts: 1966
Peak: #29
"So Good"
Entered Charts: 1967
Peak: #32
"Ride Away"
Entered Charts: 1965
Peak: #34
"My Friend"
Entered Charts: 1969
Peak: #35
"Heartbak Radio"
Entered Charts: 1992
Peak: #36
"Walk On"
Entered Charts: 1968
Peak: #39
"The Crowd"
Entered Charts: 1962
Peak: #40
"Heartache"
Entered Charts: 1968
Peak: #44
"Workin' For The Man"
Entered Charts: 1962
Peak: #50
"Wild Hearts"
Entered Charts: 1985
Peak: #76
"California Blue"
Entered Charts: 1989
Peak: #77