# Roy Orbison's First UK No. 1

> Roy Orbison's 1960 UK No. 1 hit was never planned but became a career milestone.
- Title: Roy Orbison's First UK No. 1 · American Songwriter | Shortify
- Summary: Roy Orbison's 1960 UK No. 1 hit was never planned but became a career milestone. Roy Orbison's 'Only the Lonely' became his first UK No. 1 hit in 1960 after…
- Keywords: roy orbison, only the lonely, uk singles chart, 1960, rock music, songwriting, music, culture, Roy, Orbison's, First, American Songwriter
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/on-this-day-in-1960-roy-orbison-scored-his-first-no-1-across-the-pond-with-a-song-he-never-planned-to-record
- Author: Clayton Edwards
- Published: 2026-10-20T18:07:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: roy orbison, only the lonely, uk singles chart, 1960, rock music, songwriting, music, culture
## Roy Orbison's UK No. 1
On October 20 1960 Roy Orbison topped the UK Singles Chart with 'Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)'.
## Song Never Planned
Orbison and Joe Melson wrote the song in 1958 but never intended to record it.
## Career Impact
The song became his first UK No. 1 and a major hit across the United States.
## Key takeaway

Roy Orbison's 'Only the Lonely' became his first UK No. 1 hit in 1960 after he never intended to record it.