A Roy Orbison Retrospective III Quiz

Answer: Born To Love Me

"Born To Love Me" was written by Roy Orbison (lyrics) and Bob Morrison (music). It can be found on the Orbison 1977 album "Regeneration." The song deals with a man's love for a woman most do not consider beautiful. It suggests that real beauty and real love lie within: "I've learned it doesn't matter what other people see / It's what I feel for her and what she feels for me."

Answer: Distant Drums

The soft haunting melody and words of "Distant Drums" were written by Cindy Walker. The song first appeared in "In Dreams," a 1963 album by Roy Orbison. Distant Drums" is primarily an appeal by a man for "Mary" to marry him "now" because, when he hears the "distant drums" and "the sound of bugles," he anticipates being called away to fight in a war.

Answer: (I'd Be A) Legend In My Time

The great Don Gibson wrote "(I'd Be A) Legend In My Time. Roy Orbison's version appeared first in his 1961 album "Lonely And Blue." The song is one of heartbreak and loneliness. The singer would be "a legend in my time" if "tears and regrets," "a heart that's been broken," and "loneliness" were accorded "world acclaim."

Answer: (I'm A ) Southern Man

"(I'm A) Southern Man," was written by Tony Joe White. The words define what the singer believes the characteristics and traits a "southern man" are: "corn bread," "turnip greens," a woman with "meat on her bones," "skinny dippin'," "Southern Comfort," and "soulful music," among others.

Answer: Love Hurts

"Love Hurts" did not get the attention it probably deserved because it was on the "B" side of Orbison's "Running Scared" (which was his first Number One hit on The Billboard Top 40 Pop Hits). The song was written by Boudleaux Bryant. The words are those of a young man who has discovered that love "scars, wounds, and mars" when the love affair is over.

Answer: No One Will Ever Know

The words of the song are from a man who has been rejected by his love. He indicates that he will blame himself for the breakup, even though she was the one who initiated it...whether to protect her or him or both is somewhat vague. Fred Rose and Mel Foree wrote "No One Will Ever Know." Roy Orbison's recording first appeared on his 1963 album "In Dreams."

Answer: Yo Te Amo Maria

"Yo Te Amo Maria" ("I love you Maria") is a collaboration between Roy Orbison and Bill Dees. The singer is "a poor peasant boy" who feels "like a king" when after work he sings his "song of love" to Maria, his intended. He looks happily ahead to when they are married. It first appeared on an EP in 1964.

Answer: 1956

"Ooby," "dooby," and "doo wah" make up more than half of the lyrics. "Oooby Dooby" was by Roy Orbison / Teen Queens. It was backed by "Go! Go! Go!" "Ooby Dooby" was written by Wade More and Richard Penner and describes how to dance "the ooby dooby" (which involves wiggling to the left and the right, shaking like "a big rattle snake," and "struttin'".

Answer: Rock House

"Rock House" was a 1956 song by Orbison/Teen Queens. It was written by Roy Orbison and Harold Jenkins. "You're My Baby" was on the flip side. The Rock House is a dance venue which is open in the morning and through the evening, long enough so "I won't be home at night."

Answer: Lana

The lyrics of "Lana" primarily consist of repetitive words and phrases, such as "zoom a zoom a," "ma ma ma," "la la la la Lana," "ling a ling a," "L-A-N-A-A-A, " "oh," and "hey." "Lana" was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. It first appeared on Orbison's album "Crying" in 1962.