In honor of Roy Orbison 60 years ago on this day, in 1961, starting his 3 week run at number 1 on the US singles chart with “Oh Pretty Woman,” I thought I’d share three word themed playlists:  “Oh! You PRETTY Things,” “I Got a WOMAN,” and it’s country counterpart “Redneck WOMAN.”  Also I couldn’t miss the opportunity for the movie reference:

Rumor has it that “Oh Pretty Woman” was inspired by Orbison’s wife.  Upon interrupting Orbison’s conversation to announce that she was going shopping, he asked if she had enough cash.  Whereupon his co-writer responded “A pretty woman never needs any money.” 

Pretty woman, walking down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I’d like to meet
Pretty woman, I don’t believe you
You’re not the truth
No one could look as good as you

Pretty woman, won’t you pardon me?
Pretty woman, I couldn’t help but see
Pretty woman, you look lovely as can be
Are you lonely just like me?

The song appears in the “Pretty” playlist, though also included is the equally great “Oh Pretty Woman” cover by Van Halen.  I don’t often include 2 versions of the same song in a playlist, but sometimes they are so good that I can’t decide which I prefer and include them both.  I do have a few playlists that I will eventually share that are fully dedicated to cover songs that are just as good, if not surpassing their original version.

Though these playlists are short, they are front end loaded with some great classic rock and pop songs. And it was news to me that David Bowie’s classic “Oh! You Pretty Things”, which provides the title for my playlist, is things in the plural, Things, not Thing.  The “Pretty” playlist includes some great country tracks as well, whereas the “Woman” Playlist separates out rock and pop from country, thus the 2 separate lists.

The rock and pop “Woman” playlist:

Also, born on this day in 1925, that’s 94 years ago, kinda crazy, was Marty Robbins, US Country singer most known for his 1960 No.1 Single “El Paso.”  His song “Devil Woman” appears in the country ‘Woman’ playlist “Redneck WOMAN.”  Though obviously not part of these playlists, this video provides such a wonderful glimpse of cowboy country western music I had to share it:

and the country “Woman” playlist:

I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

Live in the moment

Enjoy the moment

Love the moment

Listen to the MUSIC!