Only the Lonely is a 1960 American song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Sung by Orbison, it became his first major hit. As an operatic rock ballad, it was a sound unheard of at the time and is seen as a seminal event in the evolution of Rock and Roll. Released as a 45rpm single by Monument Records in 1960, "Only The Lonely" went to No. 2 on the United States Billboard pop music charts and to No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

The song also appears on Orbison's 1962 album, Roy Orbison's Greatest Hits, and his 1989 posthumous album A Black & White Night Live from the 1988 HBO television special.

In 1969, singer Sonny James recorded the song and had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard country music charts.

In 1999, "Only The Lonely" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine named it as one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."

Orbison's version of his song has been used in motion pictures including:

• The Love Letter (1999)
• Only the Lonely (movie) (1991)

"Only the Lonely" is the title of a book about Roy Orison's Life and Legacy written by Alan Clayson and published in 1989 by St. Martin's Press , New York City.

"Only The Lonely - The Roy Orbison Story" - is a stage musical that toured Europe.