Are you still mine?
I need your love.

“Unchained Melody” was written in the 50s, but the Righteous Brothers’ version was released in 1965. It is hard to reconcile this with what was going on in rock at the time. It was two different universes. This song has to be one of the most recognizable, iconic songs of all time.

The greatness of “Unchained Melody” comes from the vocal sung by Bobby Hatfield. Wow. The range is incredible and the subtly in his delivery is great. He emotes exactly twice in the song…right when he delivers the line: “I need your love”. And we feel it. I get goosebumps hearing it still—after hearing it 500 or so times.

The production is solid. The string arrangement has a lot going on, but it rightfully does a lot to highlight the vocal. Another thing that might be missed it the piano part at the end. It is pretty awesome. I might have been tempted to mix that slightly higher, but the producer made the right choice. It sounds better as a hidden gem.

Unchained Melody Lyrics

Oh, my love, my darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

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

Oh, my love, my darling
I’ve hungered, for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me

Songwriters: Alex North / Hyman Zaret