You can run into this classic 1965 hit by the Righteous Brothers. Whether it’s from movies, like 1990’s Ghost, or on the radio by one among the varied artists who have covered it, there’s a reason it’s firmly entrenched in our culture.
It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000! We’re talking about “Unchained Melody.”
Believe it or not, the Righteous Brothers’ rendition of this song was released because the B-side of the only “Hung On You,” which was the bands follow up to “Just Once in My Life.” Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret in 1955, “Unchained Melody,” is acclaimed in large part thanks to Bobby Hatfield’s vocals.
The story goes that he and his singing partner Bill Medley agreed to try to one solo performance each per album. Both singers wanted to try to “Unchained Melody,” however Hatfield won a coin-toss and therefore the rest is history.