Interpretation
The song 'Pretty Woman' by
Roy Orbison is a declaration of love to a beautiful and mysterious woman that the singer sees on the street. He is so fascinated by her beauty that he wants to approach her and get to know her. 'Pretty Woman, the kind I like to meet' shows his admiration and interest in her.
The lines 'Pretty Woman, I don't believe you, you're not the truth. No one could look as good as you, mercy' express the singer's almost incredulous fascination that someone can be so attractive.
Throughout the song, he asks the 'Pretty Woman' to give him attention and stay with him: 'Pretty Woman, say you'll stay with me'. He promises to treat her well and invites her to be his companion for the night: 'Come with me, baby, be mine tonight'.
However, when she walks away, in the lines 'Pretty Woman, don't walk away, hey, okay. If that's the way it must be, okay', his disappointment but also his respect for her decision is shown. He is willing to let her go, even though it makes him sad.
Towards the end of the song, when he has already given up and is about to go home ('I guess I'll go on home, it's late'), he sees that she is coming back to him ('Is she walking back to me? Yeah, she's walking back to me'), which fills him with hope and joy.
Overall, the song tells of the singer's admiration and longing for the 'Pretty Woman', of his hopes and disappointments, and finally of the surprising twist that revives his hopes.