Crying chords

by Roy Orbison ft. K D Lang

Songwriters: Roy Orbison and Joe Melson

Song Key: D Major

Key Signature: 2 sharps (F#, C#)

Time Signature: 4/4 (♩)

Tempo: 75 bpm (Moderately slow with feeling)

Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Vocal Range: B4 - F#5

Skill Level: Intermediate


Song Chords: D, Daug, F#m, G, Gm, A, A7, Bm

Chord Chart Legend
D Major Daug F#m G Major Gm A Major A7 Bm Barre Bm
Lefties Chord Chart Legend
D Major Daug F#m G Major Gm A Major A7 Bm Barre Bm

Crying

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
             D   A       G   D       D   A       G   D 
Intro: 4/4 | 1&2 &3&4& | 1&2 &3&4& | 1&2 &3&4& | 1&2 &3&4& |  

            D
1. I was al-right, for a while

   I could smile for a while
   
   Then I saw you last night
               Daug
   You held my hand so tight 
            G                  Gm
   When you stopped to say hel-lo
       D
   You wished me well
       A7
   You could-n't tell
   
   That I've been
   
    D             F#m 
CH: Cry-y-y-y-ing o - ver you
    D             F#m
    Cry-y-y-y-ing o - ver you
         G           A7
    Then you said so long
            G               A7
    Left me stand-ing all a-lone
               D
    A-lone and cry-ing
    Daug
    Cry - ying
    G
    Cry - ying
    Gm
    Cry - ying
                 D
    It's hard to un-der-stand
             A7  
    That the touch of your hand
                 D
    Can start me cry-ing
   
                  D
2. I thought that I was o-ver you

   But it's true, so true
   
   I love you e-ven more
          Daug
   Than I did be-fore
       G                    Gm
   But darl-ing, what can I do?
           D
   For you don't love me
            A7
   And I'll al-ways be
   
    D             F#m 
CH: Cry-y-y-y-ing o - ver you
    D             F#m 
    Cry-y-y-y-ing o - ver you 
    G               A7
    Yes, now you're gone
         G                A7
    And from this mo-ment on
            D
    I'll be cry-ing
    Daug
    Cry - ying
    G
    Cry - ing
    Gm
    Cry - ying
              D
    Yeah, I'm cry - ing
          Bm
    Cry - ing
    G   A7        D     A    D     G     D      D     D
    O - o - ver | you...   |    -    |        | ↓↓↓↓  𝄑  |
                                                1&2&

Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison was an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, emotional ballads, and dark sunglasses. He was one of the most influential figures in rock and roll history and rose to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s with hits like "Only the Lonely," "Running Scared," "Oh, Pretty Woman," and "Crying".

Album Cover
Crying Album

Born: April 23, 1936 in Vernon, Texas, U.S.

Died: December 6, 1988 (aged 52) in Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.

Profession: Singer, songwriter, musician

Instruments: Vocals, guitar

Music Styles: Rock and roll, rockabilly, pop, country

Active Years: 1953–1988

"Crying" (Original Version):
  • Released in 1961 as a single and on Orbison's album of the same name.
  • Considered one of Orbison's signature songs.
  • Known for its heart-wrenching melody, emotional lyrics depicting heartbreak and despair, and Orbison's soaring vocals.

Recording with K.D. Lang:
  • In 1987, Orbison rerecorded "Crying" as a duet with Canadian singer-songwriter k.d. lang.
  • The duet was part of the soundtrack for the movie "Hiding Out."
  • The collaboration brought renewed attention to the song and introduced it to a new generation of listeners.
  • Their version won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 1988.

The original version by Orbison has a more dramatic and orchestral arrangement, while the duet with k.d. lang takes a simplified approach, featuring their vocals backed by piano and acoustic guitar.

Orbison's signature powerful vocals are present in both versions, while KD. Lang adds a beautiful contrast with her smooth, expressive voice.

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