About the Song
Roy Orbison. That rich, melancholic voice that soundtracked countless late nights and heartbreak for many of us. Even for those with happy marriages and full hearts, there’s a certain undeniable power in Orbison’s music. It taps into a well of universal emotions – love, loss, loneliness – and wrings them out with a dramatic flair that’s both powerful and relatable.
Today, we’re going to delve into one of Orbison’s later songs, a track titled The Comedians. Released in 1988 on his album Mystery Girl, it might not be as instantly recognizable as some of his earlier hits like “Oh, Pretty Woman” or “Crying,” but The Comedians is a song that lingers with you long after the last note fades.
Written by the ever-astute Elvis Costello, The Comedians takes a slightly different approach than some of Orbison’s usual material. It’s not a straightforward ballad about lost love, but a more cryptic and metaphorical exploration of betrayal and disillusionment. The imagery is vivid – a Ferris wheel ride gone wrong, the lights dimming on a carnival night – all building towards a feeling of isolation and heartbreak.
Orbison, ever the master of phrasing, delivers the lyrics with his signature soaring vocals and that trademark vulnerability. The Comedians might not be the first Orbison song you reach for, but it’s a hidden gem that showcases the depth and complexity of this legendary artist. So, settle in, put on your favorite records, and let’s take a listen to Roy Orbison’s The Comedians.