Pretty Paper
Roy Orbison
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The pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Wrap your presents to your darling from you Pretty pencils to write "I love you" Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Crowded street, busy feet hustle by him Downtown shoppers, Christmas is nigh There he sits all alone on the sidewalk Hoping that you won't pass him by Should you stop, better not, much too busy You're in a hurry, my how time does fly In the distance the ringing of laughter And in the midst of the laughter he cries Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Wrap your presents to your darling from you Pretty pencils to write "I love you" Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: Willie Nelson
Lyrics © Roy Orbison Music Company , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist Background"Pretty Paper" is performed by Roy Orbison and Willie Nelson, two notable figures in the music industry. Orbison, known for his emotive voice, found success in the early pop and rock music scenes, while Nelson is a renowned country music artist.
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Song Origin"Pretty Paper" was written by Willie Nelson in 1963. The song was first recorded and released by Roy Orbison the same year.
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Inspiration Behind the Song"Pretty Paper" is based on a real-life street vendor Nelson encountered in Fort Worth, Texas. The vendor, who had no legs and moved on a rolling board, sold stationary and pencils.
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Song Theme"Pretty Paper" deals with themes of loneliness and isolation, particularly around the holiday season, as it describes the ignored disabled vendor amidst the Christmas shoppers.
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Chart PerformanceIn 1963, Roy Orbison's version of "Pretty Paper" peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also reached the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
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Willie Nelson's VersionNelson recorded his own version of the song in 1964, and it has since become a classic in the country music genre. It's frequently included in holiday music programming and has been covered by multiple other artists.
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Album TitleIn 1979, Willie Nelson released a Christmas album titled "Pretty Paper", with the song as the title track.
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Performance StyleRoy Orbison's version of "Pretty Paper" features his distinctive, impassioned vocal style, while Nelson's version is performed in his classic laid-back, country manner.
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Cover VersionsMany artists have covered "Pretty Paper", including Glen Campbell, Chris Isaak, Randy Travis, and Kenny Chesney, which attests to the song's enduring popularity.
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Song Legacy"Pretty Paper" remains one of the most recognized holiday songs in the United States, more than 50 years after its initial release. The story and melancholic theme still resonate, reminding listeners of the less fortunate during the holiday season.
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Citation
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"Pretty Paper Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5753341/Roy+Orbison/Pretty+Paper>.
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