About the song

Roy Orbison was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as operatic, earning him the nicknames “the Caruso of Rock” and “the Big O”. Orbison was born in Vernon, Texas, on April 23, 1936. He began singing in a rockabilly and country-and-western band at high school. In 1956, he signed with Sun Records, where he recorded his first single, “Ooby Dooby”.

“Leah” was released in 1962 as the B-side to the single “Working for the Man”. The song was written by Orbison and Joe Melson. It is a ballad about a man who is haunted by the memory of his lost love, Leah. The song’s lyrics are full of longing and regret, and Orbison’s powerful vocals bring them to life.

“Leah” was a commercial success, reaching number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It has since become one of Orbison’s most popular songs. The song has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and k.d. lang.

The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its power and beauty. “Leah” is a classic example of Orbison’s songwriting and vocal talent. It is a moving and unforgettable song that will continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Some additional details about the song:

  • The song is in the key of A minor.
  • It has a moderate tempo of 100 beats per minute.
  • The song’s structure is verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus.
  • The lyrics are written from the first-person perspective.
  • The song’s themes include love, loss, and longing.

Some interesting facts about the song:

  • The song was inspired by Orbison’s first wife, Claudette.
  • The song was originally recorded as a demo for another artist.
  • The song was released as a single in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
  • The song was a commercial success in all three countries.
  • The song has been covered by many artists, including Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and k.d. lang.

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Lyrics

Le-Leah, Leah, Le-Leah, LeahHere I goFrom the hut to the boat to the seaFor Leah
Ah-hah I gotta go diving in the bayGotta get a lot of oysters find some pearls todayTo make a pretty necklace for LeahLe-e-ah
I’ve gotta go deep and find the ones just rightI’ll bet my Leah’ll be surprised tonightI’ll place the pearls around the only girl for meLe-e-ah
But something’s wrong I cannot move aroundMy leg is caught it’s pulling me downBut I’ll keep my hand shut tight for if they find meThey’ll find the pearl for Leah
And now it’s over I’m awake at lastOld heartaches and memories from the pastIt was just another dream about my lost love‘Bout Le-e-ah
Le-Leah, Leah, Le-Leah, LeahHere I goBack to sleep and in my dreams I’ll dreamWith Leah, Leah, Le-ah

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