THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

91-The Righteous Brothers-Unchained Melody.

1965-Number 14 single. When it was re-issued in 1990 it reached Number 1.

Best Bit-At 1.56. The original version of the song was first performed in the 1955 prison film ‘Unchained,’ where Todd Duncan (1903-1998) sings to a ‘captive’ audience. The song has captivated every generation since.

The Righteous Brothers (see also best songs 782) were originally the duo of Bill Medley, (see also best songs 439) and Bob Hatfield, (1940-2003) when the duo first split in 1968, Hatfield performed as ‘The Righteous Brothers’ with his new partner Jimmy Walker between 1968-1972, and Medley has been performing as ‘The Righteous Brothers’ with Bucky Heard since 2016. Medley and Hatfield had reformed again between 1974-1976, and then again between 1986-2003. The discography of The Righteous Brothers includes 15 Albums released between 1963-2016, and 41 singles (including re-issues) released between 1963-1990. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, 12 of their songs have made the top 40, with ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,’ (1964) and ‘You’re My Soul and Inspiration,’ (1965) both making Number 1, while in the UK they have charted on eight occasions, (including re-issues) with ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin,’ and ‘Unchained Melody,’ both reaching the top spot.

‘Unchained Melody’ was written by Alex North, (1910-1991) who wrote the music, and Hy Zaret, (1907-2007) who provided the lyrics for the little known film ‘Unchained’ released in 1955. Alex North who was also commissioned to write further music for the film is also remembered for writing the scores to ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ (1951) and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf’ (1966.) ‘Unchained Melody tells of someone who pines for a lover he has not seen in a ‘long, lonely time.’

In the 1950’s it was normal for several artists to jump on the bandwagon and record a version of the best new songs of the day. In 1955 four versions appeared in the UK top 20 simultaneously. Al Hibbler (1915-2001) reached Number 2, Les Baxter, (1922-1996) made Number 10, Liberace, (1919-1987) reached Number 20, and Jimmy Young (1921-2016) took his recording all the way to Number 1. The song was also very successful in America where three versions all made the top 10, recorded by, Al Hibbler, Les Baxter, and Roy Hamilton (1929-1969.)

The Righteous Brothers recording of ‘Unchained Melody’ was sung solely by Bob Hatfield, with Bill Medley handling the songs production, he also played the Wurlitzer piano on the track. On the original pressings of the single it is Phil Spector (1939-2021) (see also best songs (820-782-737-262-192-127 and 20) who is credited as the songs producer, but on later pressings this was changed. In 1990 the song was brought to the attention of a whole new generation when it was used in the film ‘Ghost.’ The song was re-issued, and this time went all the way to Number 1 in the UK. In 1995 ‘Unchained Melody’ was covered by the English Pop duo ‘Robson & Jerome,’ and once again the song made Number 1, and then in 2002 the English singer Gareth Gates also took the song to Number 1.’Unchained Melody’ has been to Number 1 on four occasions in the UK, a fete that is only matched by the four different recordings of ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by ‘Band Aid.’ (see also best songs 455.)

‘Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea to the open arms of the sea. Lonely rivers sigh wait for me, wait for me, I’ll be coming home, wait for me.’