7 DECEMBER 1966
Roy Orbison’s single ‘There Won’t Be Many Coming Home’ entered the UK charts during this week in 1966. It reached #12 in the UK and Australia, but did not chart in the US. His US chart career had already dried up, and this was to be his last Top 20 hit in the UK until 1989.
This song was taken from his only leading-role movie ‘The Fastest Guitar Alive’. His acting talent was inversely proportional to his singing ability, and although he had signed a five-movie deal, this one was so bad that no more were made.
Although ‘The Fastest Guitar Alive' was set in the US Civil War, it is easy to interpret the anti-war lyrics in the context of the ongoing Vietnam War. Orbison - who wrote the song - said that it was 'a reflection of all wars' and 'in fact refers to the Civil War, although it is true that could relate well World War III.'
This song was taken from his only leading-role movie ‘The Fastest Guitar Alive’. His acting talent was inversely proportional to his singing ability, and although he had signed a five-movie deal, this one was so bad that no more were made.
Although ‘The Fastest Guitar Alive' was set in the US Civil War, it is easy to interpret the anti-war lyrics in the context of the ongoing Vietnam War. Orbison - who wrote the song - said that it was 'a reflection of all wars' and 'in fact refers to the Civil War, although it is true that could relate well World War III.'
'Now the old folks will remember
On that dark and dismal day
How their hearts were choked with pride
As their children marched away
Now the glory is all goneThey are left alone.'
'There Won't Be Many Coming Home' was featured in the 2015 Quentin Tarantino western 'The Hateful Eight'.
