10 Cover Versions That Are Absolute Masterpieces
7. Unchained Melody (The Righteous Brothers)
Originally written for a little known 1954 prison film called Unchained (hence the song's title), this song was a major hit for several artists a decade before The Righteous Brothers put their name to it.
Les Baxter, Jimmy Young and Liberace all had success with the song and other artists such as Perry Como and Gene Vincent had recorded their own versions. In 1955 there was four different versions of the track in the Billboard One Hundred alone. It was also in nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Yet, it wasn't until The Righteous Brothers' recording that it was elevated to the heights we commonly hear today.
Another song originally released as a B side, Bobby Hatfield chose to sing the song. Both he and Bill Medley were allowed one solo track each per album. With Hatfield at the microphone Medley set about producing the recording. Normally Phil Spector would produce the duo's singles but as he considered the song as filler he let Medley take the reins.
What ensued was a classic take on an already well-known song. Again, radio DJs preferred the B side to the intended A side and a hit was born.