Bobby Hatfield’s “Unchained Melody”: The Vocal Performance That Stunned the World

Originally written in 1955 by Alex North (music) and Hy Zaret (lyrics), “Unchained Melody” became an enduring classic when performed by the Righteous Brothers in 1965. Their version, featuring the soulful, heart-stopping vocals of Bobby Hatfield, is widely regarded as the definitive recording of this timeless love song.

𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 – 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲

The Righteous Brothers’ version is driven by minimal instrumentation — mainly piano, subtle strings, and percussion — allowing Hatfield’s soaring, passionate vocal performance to shine.

The arrangement builds gradually, creating a sense of emotional crescendo that has made it unforgettable.

The production, overseen by Phil Spector (though credited to Bill Medley), showcases Spector’s “Wall of Sound” in a more restrained, elegant form.
The 1965 version reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most beloved love songs in pop history.

In 1990, the song returned to the charts after being featured in the film Ghost, where it underscored the famous pottery scene with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. This re-release hit #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bobby Hatfield recorded the vocal in one take, delivering one of the most iconic performances in recording history.

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