A Heartbreaking Christmas Ballad of Unrequited Love and Silent Suffering.
Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Paper” isn’t your typical festive jingle; it’s a melancholic masterpiece, a stark contrast to the usual holiday cheer. Released in 1963, this song, penned by Willie Nelson (yes, that Willie Nelson), reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, nestling itself within the hearts of listeners during the Christmas season. It also performed well internationally, reaching No. 6 in the UK charts in 1964. The song later appeared on the 1964 album “Oh, Pretty Woman”.
The story behind “Pretty Paper” is as touching as the song itself. Nelson was inspired by a real-life encounter with a disabled man selling wrapping paper outside a department store in Fort Worth, Texas. This man, unable to walk, would sit on a rolling platform, his legs tucked beneath him, selling his wares to passersby. Nelson, struck by the man’s quiet determination and the poignant scene, channeled his emotions into this evocative song.
Orbison’s rendition of “Pretty Paper” elevates the song to an almost ethereal level. His signature soaring vocals, filled with vulnerability and raw emotion, perfectly capture the song’s underlying sadness. It’s not just a song about a man selling paper; it’s a song about loneliness, about being an outsider looking in, about the unspoken stories we carry within us. The lyrics paint a vivid picture:
“Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue Wrap your presents to your darling from you Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of gold Wrap your presents to your darling of old”
These opening lines immediately set the tone. The “pretty paper” becomes a symbol of the festive season, a time of giving and receiving, a time when many find themselves surrounded by loved ones. But for the man in the song, it’s a stark reminder of his own isolation. He’s selling these symbols of joy, yet he himself seems detached from the very emotions they represent.
The song’s genius lies in its simplicity. The melody is hauntingly beautiful, and the lyrics, though sparse, are incredibly powerful. The repeated phrase “Pretty paper” takes on a deeper meaning with each repetition, becoming a mantra of sorts, a quiet lament for a life that feels incomplete. It’s a song that lingers in the mind long after the final notes have faded, prompting reflection on the often-overlooked corners of human experience, especially during a season that’s often idealized as a period of universal joy.
For older listeners, “Pretty Paper” likely evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting them back to a time when music held a different kind of magic. It’s a song that speaks to the heart, reminding us of the importance of empathy and compassion, especially during the holiday season. It stands as a testament to the power of music to capture the human condition in all its complexities, its joys, and its sorrows. The song isn’t just a Christmas song, but a song about the human spirit and its ability to endure even in the face of adversity. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with listeners across generations. It’s a quiet reminder that sometimes, the most poignant stories are found not in grand narratives, but in the quiet corners of everyday life.