# In 1961, Roy Orbison blatantly missed a note when recording his masterpiece. The blemish was purposefully kept in the final take of ‘Crying’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1961-roy-orbison-blatantly-missed-a-note-when-recording-his-masterpiece-the-blemish-was-purposefully-kept-in-the-final-take-of-crying/
- Published: 2026-10-31T12:08:20+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T12:48:24+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1961-roy-orbison-blatantly-missed-a-note-when-recording-his-masterpiece/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Orbison kept an off-key note in “Crying”.
- He said he was immersed in the song’s memories.
- The 1961 single topped the UK chart.

## Summary

Roy Orbison’s apparently off-key note at the end of “Crying” was deliberately left in the recording, adding to the song’s sense of heartbreak. The blemish stands out in a performance by a singer celebrated for his wide vocal range and precision.

In a 1980 interview, Orbison said he had become absorbed in recalling an experience with a former girlfriend and could not remember which notes he sang at the end. Released in 1961, “Crying” reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the UK singles chart, helping define his early sound.

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