THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

657-Roy Orbison and the Candy Men-Oh, Pretty Woman.

1964-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34.’MERCY!’

Roy Kelton Orbison was born on April 23rd, 1936, in Vernon, Texas, United States, he died of a heart attack on December 6th, 1988. Music critics described his music as operatic, earning him the nicknames ‘The Caruso of Rock,’ after the Italian Operatic tenor, and also ‘The Big O.’ During his career he suffered badly from stage fright, which is why he took to wearing dark sunglasses when performing, leading many initially in to thinking he was actually blind.

Orbison was first signed to the legendary ‘Sun’ record label between 1956-1959, along with other artists such as Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash, but didn’t find chart success until signing with the ‘Monument’ record label in 1960. Between 1960-1965 he achieved 18 top 40 singles on Billboard, two of which made Number 1, including this song. With musical tastes changing, his hits dried up, and it wasn’t until becoming a member of the Traveling Wilburys in 1988, that he was back in the charts again, although artists such as Don McLean (Crying,) and Linda Ronstsadt (Blue Bayou,) had hits with cover versions of his songs.

‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ was co-written by Orbison, and his long term writing partner Bill Dees (1939-2012.) It has sold in excess of 7 million copies worldwide,and after being chosen as a piece of music for the film, the producers named the 1990 movie ‘Oh Pretty Woman.’ after the song. The songs title was inspired by Orbison’s wife, Claudette, interrupting a conversation to announce she was going out. When Orbison asked if she had enough cash, Bill Dees interjected,’A pretty woman never needs any money.’ Bill Dees said,’Mercy’ was mine, I used to say that all the time, when I saw a pretty woman, or had some good food.’

‘Pretty woman I don’t believe you, you’re not the truth, no one could look as good as you. mercy.’