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The 1991 romantic comedy-drama film 'Only the Lonely' features a wedding scene in which the titular song by Roy Orbison is played. The film, written and directed by Chris Columbus and produced by John Hughes, stars John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn, and James Belushi. In the scene, Danny Muldoon proposes to Theresa from a fire truck and later receives approval from his controlling mother, Rose, to marry Theresa. However, their relationship ends when neither shows up on their wedding day. The song Only the Lonely, written by Orbison and Joe Melson, was first recorded in 1960 and became Orbison's first major hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard charts. The song has been covered by various artists and has been featured in other films, solidifying its place in popular culture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | Only the Lonely |
| Songwriters | Roy Orbison and Joe Melson |
| Performer | Roy Orbison |
| Year of Release | 1960 |
| Record Label | Monument Records |
| Peak Position in Billboard Hot 100 | #2 |
| Peak Position in UK Singles Chart | #1 |
| Peak Position in U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | #8 |
| Movie Appearances | The Love Letter (1999), Only the Lonely (1991) |
| Movie Production | Written and directed by Chris Columbus, produced by John Hughes |
| Movie Cast | John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn, James Belushi |
| Movie Gross | $21.1 million |
| Movie Rating (Rotten Tomatoes) | 65% |
| Movie Rating (Metacritic) | 47/100 |
| Movie Rating (CinemaScore) | B+ |
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What You'll Learn
The song was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson
"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Orbison's recording of the song, produced by Fred Foster for Monument Records, was released in May 1960 and became the singer's first major hit. The song was also subtitled to avoid confusion with another song of the same name written for Frank Sinatra in 1958.
Orbison and Melson tried to sell the song to Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers, but it was turned down. They then recorded the song themselves at RCA's Nashville studio. Sound engineer Bill Porter used a new strategy for the recording, building the mix from the top down, starting with close-miked backing vocals in the foreground and ending with the rhythm section soft in the background. This combination became Orbison's trademark sound. The recording also featured a powerful falsetto note by Orbison.
The song was a commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. It was also Orbison's longest-charting single. The song has been used in motion pictures, including "The Love Letter" (1999) and "Only the Lonely" (1991), a romantic comedy-drama starring John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, and Ally Sheedy.
Orbison and Melson's collaboration on "Only the Lonely" marked a turning point in Orbison's career. According to Orbison, he and Melson constructed songs with Orbison's voice in mind, aiming to showcase its range and power. This shift in focus led to Orbison's instant demand and success in the music industry.
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It was Orbison's first major hit
"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" is a song written and performed by Roy Orbison, along with Joe Melson. It was Orbison's first major hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hitting No. 1 in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The song was recorded in 1960 and released in May of that year, going on to become the longest-charting single of Orbison's career. Orbison's powerful and wide-ranging voice is on full display in the song, which also features a trademark combination of doo-wop backing vocals and a soft rhythm section.
Orbison and Melson initially tried to sell the song to Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers, but it was turned down. They then recorded the song themselves at RCA's Nashville studio, with producer Fred Foster for Monument Records. The song's mix was built from the top down, starting with close-miked backing vocals and ending with a soft rhythm section, a strategy devised by sound engineer Bill Porter. Orbison's falsetto note also showcased his surprisingly powerful voice.
"Only the Lonely" was met with critical acclaim, with The New York Times describing it as expressing "a clenched, driven urgency". The song's success transformed Orbison into a high-demand artist. He appeared on American Bandstand and toured the U.S. non-stop for three months with Patsy Cline. When Presley heard "Only the Lonely" for the first time, he bought a box of the records to give out to his friends.
The song has had a lasting impact, with Orbison's version being used in motion pictures such as "The Love Letter" (1999) and "Only the Lonely" (1991). It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The song's title inspired the 1991 American romantic comedy-drama film "Only the Lonely," starring John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, and Ally Sheedy.
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The song was used in the 1991 film of the same name
The song Only the Lonely was written and performed by Roy Orbison, and it was released in 1960. Orbison's version of the song has been used in motion pictures, including the 1991 film of the same name, "Only the Lonely."
The film "Only the Lonely" is an American romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Chris Columbus and produced by John Hughes. It stars John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn, and
In the film, Danny decides to marry Theresa, proposing to her from the bucket of a Chicago fire truck outside her bedroom window. However, Theresa becomes upset when Danny continuously prioritises his mother over their relationship, even on the night before the wedding. On the day of the wedding, neither Danny nor Theresa shows up, and their relationship ends.
The song "Only the Lonely" is featured in the film and is especially relevant to the plot, as it reflects the characters' feelings of loneliness and the complexities of their relationships. The song's appearance in the film likely contributed to its enduring popularity and cultural impact.
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It was also used in the 1999 film 'The Love Letter'
"Only the Lonely" is a song that has been recorded by multiple artists, including Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, and The Motels. Roy Orbison and Joe Melson wrote the song in 1960, and Orbison's recording of it became his first major hit. Orbison's version has been used in motion pictures, including the 1991 film "Only the Lonely" and the 1999 film "The Love Letter".
"The Love Letter" is a 1999 film starring Kate Capshaw, Tom Selleck, and Tom Everett Scott. The film's soundtrack features music by composer Luis Bacalov and includes Orbison's version of "Only the Lonely." The song was a perfect fit for the film, as it captures the emotions of loneliness and longing that are often associated with love and relationships.
Orbison's "Only the Lonely" has a rich history and has left a lasting impact on popular music. The song was recorded in 1960 for Monument Records and was produced by Fred Foster. It was described by The New York Times as expressing "a clenched, driven urgency." The song showcases Orbison's powerful vocal range and helped to establish his career as a successful singer.
The use of "Only the Lonely" in "The Love Letter" showcases the timeless appeal of the song. By including it in the film's soundtrack, "The Love Letter" helped to introduce Orbison's music to a new generation of listeners and reinforced the song's place in popular culture. The song's appearance in the film also highlights the way music can enhance and complement the storytelling and emotional depth of a film.
In conclusion, the use of Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely" in the 1999 film "The Love Letter" is a testament to the song's enduring popularity and emotional resonance. The song's appearance in the film helped expose new audiences to Orbison's music and contributed to the film's overall impact and appeal.
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The song was written about the empty success of the band
"Only the Lonely" is a song by American new wave band The Motels. It was released in 1982 as the first single from their third studio album, "All Four One". The song was written by the band's lead singer, Martha Davis, on a guitar that was given to her by her late father.
In an interview with Beyond Race magazine, Davis explained that the song is about "empty success". She wrote it at a time when The Motels were experiencing critical acclaim and commercial success, but she was personally going through a difficult period in her life. Davis was in a "horrible relationship" and had not yet recovered from the death of her parents. She described the contradiction between her personal life and the success of the band as "bittersweet".
Davis's lyrics reflect the loneliness and sadness she felt despite the band's success. The song became a hit and propelled The Motels into the spotlight, but it also served as a personal testament to the challenges and struggles that Davis was facing behind the scenes.
The success of "Only the Lonely" brought The Motels a new level of recognition and popularity. The song's popular music video and inclusion in the video game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories" contributed to its lasting impact. However, it is important to remember that, for Davis, the song also represented a period of personal struggle and the "empty success" of the band during that time.
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Frequently asked questions
The film is a romantic comedy-drama starring John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, and Ally Sheedy. It follows a bachelor police officer, Danny Muldoon, who is looking to settle down and start a family with a mortuary beautician, Theresa, while coping with his controlling mother, Rose, who wants him all to herself.
On the day of Danny and Theresa's wedding, neither of them turns up and their relationship ends.
The song is about the singer's loneliness and showcases the range and power of his voice.
The song is about empty success and the contradiction of being famous and travelling the world, but still feeling sad and alone.
