Introduction:
“Unchained Melody,” a song synonymous with romance and enduring love, holds a unique place in music history, largely thanks to the iconic rendition by The Righteous Brothers. While the song itself originated in 1955, it was The Righteous Brothers’ soulful interpretation, featuring Bobby Hatfield’s soaring solo vocal, that truly solidified its legendary status. This version was released in July 1965 and was featured on their album Just Once in My Life, though it is also prominently featured on many “greatest hits” and “best of” compilations, such as The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers. The song’s genre is primarily pop or blue-eyed soul, characterized by its lush orchestration, powerful vocals, and emotional depth, borrowing heavily from rhythm and blues and gospel traditions.
Originally, “Unchained Melody” was composed by Alex North with lyrics by Hy Zaret as a theme for the obscure 1955 prison film Unchained. Several versions charted that year, including one by Les Baxter that reached number one on the US Billboard charts, and another by Al Hibbler which was a major R&B hit. However, The Righteous Brothers’ rendition transcended these earlier successes. Their 1965 recording climbed to number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming a jukebox staple for decades.
The song experienced an extraordinary resurgence in 1990 when it was prominently featured in the blockbuster film Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. The memorable pottery scene, set to “Unchained Melody,” reignited its popularity and introduced it to a new generation of listeners. This exposure propelled the 1965 Righteous Brothers’ version back to the forefront of the charts, reaching an astounding number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the best-selling single of 1990 in the UK. It also topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in the US. This remarkable achievement of charting at number one in two different eras is a testament to the song’s timeless appeal and the enduring power of The Righteous Brothers’ performance. “Unchained Melody” has since been recognized as one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 1,500 versions by various artists, yet The Righteous Brothers’ rendition remains the definitive and most beloved.