Some songs/movies make people nostalgic. When I was a teenager(I think around 16), my favourite movie was "Pretty Woman" starring Richard Gere & Julia Roberts. Both of them are still my heartthrobs. I can't forget the powerful acting by Julia Roberts in that movie. And the song 'Oh, pretty woman" is still one of my favourites. Just like every great song it takes me to a dream world. I see Rai(my wife) in that dream and singing myself that song to her in the same way as Roy Orbison did in the original recording. Yes the way he did it wearing black formal dresses, with jet black hair and black sunglasses back in 1964. I think this whole 'blackness' helps the singer to throw it loudly and accurately to the target. Am I being childish? Actually I want to remain childish in some matters.
Anyway, those glasses weren't for show. Orbison suffered from myriad vision disorders.Orbison, who excelled at crafting tortured ballads, experienced so many tragedies in his life they can't be listed here. His wife died in an accident and his two sons died in a house fire. Beginning his career as a Sun Rockabilly artist, Orbison had moved on by the early '60s to pioneering country-pop. Orbison regained popularity when two of his songs were featured in the movies "Blue Velvet" and "Pretty Woman". Often underestimated during his most creative years, Orbison was finally feted in the decade before his death. Bob Dylan said that whenver he used to listen to a radio show, he always waited for the turn of Orbison and after that the whole playlist used to remain dull for him. The Beatles also paid tribute to him in one of their early songs. I can't remember the name of the song right now, maybe something like "..please please.." Anyway this is the lyric of the song--
Oh, Pretty Woman-- Roy Orbison
Pretty woman, walkin down the street, pretty woman
The kind I like to meet, pretty woman
I dont believe you, youre not the truth
No one could look as good as you. mercy!
Pretty woman, wont you pardon me? pretty woman,
I couldnt help but see, pretty woman, that you look lovely as can be.
Are you lonely just like me? wow!
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 youll stay with me
cause I need you, Ill treat you right
Come with me baby, be mine tonight
Pretty woman, dont walk on by
Pretty woman, dont make me cry
Pretty woman, dont walk away, hey, o.k.
If thats the way it must be, o.k.
I guess Ill go on home. its late.
Therell be tomorrow night, but wait!
What do I see? is she walking back to me?
Yeah, shes walking back to me, oh, oh, pretty woman--
Here, I finish. May be later I discuss more about him when somebody leaves a comment here, otherwise not.
D.B.
3:03 A.M., Thursday, September 28
p.s.- In case, you haven't listened to any of his songs or if you like to listen to his others songs, I suggest you to buy the album "The very best of Roy Orbison" from Sony & BMG.
