You asked how many times it took to get this perfect take and as others here have mentioned it only took one take because what you heard and saw was the LIVE version of this song which Bobby sung on The Andy Williams TV Show. The studio version was different and didn't have the great ending that this live version had. The studio version was done in two takes. The fact that Bobby simply grabbed the microphone and gave this masterful performance in one try shows how truly gifted he was.
I assume when he did do his rehearsal it was before the show started and before anyone from the audience was there and probably rehearsals was for the stage crew as well so they would know where to place their cameras. Maybe rehearsal was a couple or few hours before the actual event. Either way, I am really impressed
Yes, I was referring to when they recorded it in the studio. To get that version of the song that has so many iconic moments that people can sing along too. Naturally he sang an embellished, more improvised version for the live performance though. He's definitely a very gifted singer
Yes he was a very gifted singer and I grew up just ten miles from where Bobby did. The Righteous Brothers also did another live performance of a well known song called "Never Walk Alone" on the Ed Sullivan show and at the end of that song Bobby hit a note so high that Bill's head involuntarily jerked away as if it hurt his ears. You of course don't have to do a reaction to the song if you don't want to but as a singer yourself you may want to go ahead and view that performance to further appreciate Bobby's talent.@@LisaGrandLand
You can do all the rehearsals you want...But you still have to perform it live. Rehearsals does not always guaranteed a great performance. The great ones like Bobby Hatfield can call on their talent always...rehearsals are not.
@@Mr54nomore correct, and that’s not really the issue. When today’s artists record in the studio, not only do they use auto tune, but they record it hundreds of times and pick and choose from all the tape enough to patch together a reasonable version. You can practice all you want, but being able to deliver the entire song perfectly, and not exactly like any other rendition at that, is a very rate talent. Doing it with such an amazing voice is rarer still.
Without autotune. So many artists sound the same now it is sad . It is like a any thousand popular songs could be by the same artist they are so manufactured.
Bobby had no formal training, he just had a wonderful natural talent. This was a live performance and is hailed as one of the best live performances ever.
This voice cannot be trained. It’s God given. Training will kill the soul of his voice because the mind will come into play and it will become very dry and mechanical.
"formal training" there in lies the problem for most singers. They give up natural talent and adopt a vocal change which is foreign to them, sort of like a breast implant 😊
Bobby's voice was purely angelic. He and Bill were truly amazing together. We lost Bobby far too early. This performance was done live. The Righteous Brothers didn't do lip synching.
This song was was played a million times during the 60's and early 70's by wives and girl friends of our military that served during the Viet Nam war. I was one. Bobby Hatfield had a vocal range of 4 octaves. He was amazing. Beautiful song and a beautiful man.
What needs to be emphasised here is the wonderful orchestral arrangement accompanying Bobby on this song - superb and hats off to the musical arranger.
I was under the impression that it was Andy's studio orchestra. I asked Radio Reactive One about it. His answer was very informative. Its here on You Tube. Its a beautiful arrangement, equal to Bobby's amazing talent.
I don't have the link, but just go to You Tube and enter RadioActive one, he's a former DJ. He has a very interesting video on the history of "Unchained Melody" from it's first singer on thru Bobby. I think you'll enjoy it.
Hi from germany, i have read very often the last time about bobby. So he was at the south california university, and studied musik. Therefore i think he worked very hard and together with his talent he became this great bobby. Regards
You got most of the true information about this song and about Bobby. The cool thing about the live performance was the fact there were no "redo's". It was "one and done". One thing I don't see mentioned was the fact his mother was in the audience. This, combined with the fact Bobby had stage fright, really added to the performance. He wanted it to be perfect for his Mother. He nailed it. And as has been said, he hit that G4 (G5-?) note at the end, with ease. The studio release version was at a lower octave. This song is 56yrs old at the time of your review. It has and will withstand the test of time forever. Why? Because, "Class Never Goes Out Of Style". Let's see if Cardi B's "WAP" is still around 50yrs from now!
Bill Medley, the other Brother, produced the studio version of this. He has said Bobby got it in one take, but then said he "heard" something and wanted to do it again. So the studio version was done in 2 takes with Bobby adding whatever it was he "heard.". This is a live performance on The Andy Williams Show. One take. IMO, and many agree, though the studio version is fantastic, this live performance is superior.
I would guess there was a bit of pressure on him due to the status and talent of the shows host-here is a song I have loved since that time, in high school the band leader was a huge fan of the composer Henry Mancini, so we heard his work often...ua-cam.com/video/L_jgIezosVA/v-deo.html
Thanks for this. Live performance is the true test of an artist's raw talent. Many can't even replicate the studio performance live, so he's proven his artistry for sure
According to Bill, what Bobby heard was the high note in the 2nd "I need your love!" line: www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/bill-medley-of-the-righteous-brothers
@@maryannc6313 You’re welcome. I remembered reading about it somewhere so I did some digging. I figured Bill was being interviewed and said about how they recorded it. Either that, or it could have been one of the session musicians like Carol Kaye but turns out it was Bill.
Bobby was a phenomenal talent. He had little voice training, if any. He was also a natural high-register tenor, a "countertenor." No falsetto here. All he had to do was stand there, hold a mic, sing any song and a world of women fell in love. This is "Bobby's Song."
I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PREFORMANCE HAS NOT BEEN LABELED A MASTERPIECE. ITS SO FLAWLESS. BOBBY'S TALENT JUST CAN'T BE MATCHED. THE WAY HE CAN GO THROUGH HIS SWELLS. HIS SKILLS AND STYLE ARE AMAZING
Young girls and women's hearts will be melting 50 years from now just like they did back in the 1960s when I was growing up. I was 16 when Bobby sang this classic and I'm telling you that EVERY girl just absolutely loved Bobby and this song. It was also popular with our troops in Vietnam. This might have been the ultimate love song - ever
Or... William Stirrat, aka Hy Zaret, was 16 when he wrote lyrics about Mary Louise "Cookie" Pierce... He was 16 years old and infatuated with "the prettiest girl in my neighborhood." He remembers well the frustration of being too shy to act on his feelings - the stuttered response when she spoke to him, the frozen reaction when she smiled at him. "Now, I think she was in love with me, too, but I was too shy to do anything or even talk to her," Stirrat says 67 years later.... Stirrat wrote the words to "Unchained Melody" in 1936 when he was on a summer scholarship at Yaddo’s Triuna Arts of the Theatre School... www.dansher.com/unchained/unchained.html
@@stanleyokimoto "Georgie Woods, a Philadelphia radio DJ, is thought to have coined the term "blue-eyed soul" in 1964, initially to describe The Righteous Brothers" look it up
@@davemeyer1423 The term blue-eyed soul referred to white musicians playing R&B music which began before the term blue-eyed soul was coined. In the early 1960s, Timi Yuro was one of the rare female blue-eyed soul singers whose vocal delivery and repertoire were influenced by African American singers such as Dinah Washington. This is before the Righteous Brothers.
I know you enjoyed this song because you smiled all the way to the end. I am amazed that he could hit such a high note without even struggling. It just came naturally for him. I wish more of this kind of music would be made. It is romantic without being graphic, and, as you said, it paints a picture with his voice.
One of, if not the greatest, live performances of any song of any genre in musical history IMO. Thank you for the reaction and thank your Mom and Dad for the Beauty which you have, what a smile!! Bravo to the music and analyst! Aloha!
I was 17 in 1965 and somehow missed this solo by Bobby Lee Hatfield. If I'd heard this then (especially live) I would have fallen in love.....sheesh I did and I am now 74. Thank you Bobby Lee you are an icon and you gave us such beauty and form and lovely thoughts, feelings and memories.
When this song came out, thousands of American boys were 10,000 miles from home in VIetnam. They were wondering if their girl would wait for them, and of course that seldom happened. With that context, you can understand the popularity of this song in Southeast Asia.
If you listen very closely you can hear that Bobby was suffering from a head cold during this performance but went ahead with it anyway as "THE SHOW MUST GO ON!" Also, his mother was present in the audience which explains the little smile at the end of the performance.
I'm glad you noticed the trills during the section of the song about "lonely rivers flowing to the sea"; that little detail jumped out for me after I had heard this version several times. To me, it is just another small thing that passes unnoticed usually, but adds a lot to the song. I read somewhere, but have been unable to verify it, that the arrangement for this live performance was done by the other Righteous Brother, BIll Medley.
No one can top Bobby Hatfield. He was born to sing this song. Over 670 have covered this song. He sings it so effortlessly. Great range. I’ve been listening to this since 1965. Yes I’m old lol but I have good taste in music. Sad but Bobby left us in 2003. The Righteous Brothers. The greatest duo of all time with Bill Medley. Please listen to them together. Try Soul And Inspiration, and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling. Thank you
Heh, it didn't even take 10 seconds for you to melt to his voice 🙂 One thing which makes his performance so special is how he makes you feel he is singing this for you personally.
I was four when Bobby Hatfield sang in front of this audience.. it still brings a tear to my eyes.... thanks for sharing your review of UNCHAINED MELODY. Aaron from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Girl, you nailed this. 1960's had no voice correction, or post production enhancements. Most Contemporary artists would have failed. This is a one take live .
I loved your reaction to The Righteous Brothers song Unchained Melody. First of all I've got to say that your lovely face and smile hooked me right away the your voice made me fall in love not in a scary way. I was fourteen when this song came out and I was blown away also. I couldn't play it on my record player along with all their other songs. But to watch you smile all the way through the song and let out some precious giggles along the way was just touching. Your explanation of what was going on during his performance delightful and informative. It gave me a better appreciation for the skill it took to do what he did. In the way of a side note, I heard that how they got their name was that while performing at a club where service men who were station at a nearby military base someone said " Wow, that's righteous brother" they heard it and they became The Righteous Brothers. Thank you for giving them some love and for being such a sweetie pie!
Back in the days when performers had to actually perform, unlike nowadays lip syncing and digital music, things in the microphone to smooth out voices, that's why I mainly only listen to older songs, thank you for your reaction
My future wife and I heard and danced when unchanged melody when it was released. My love 💓 waited for me to return from military service in 1968. Going on our 53rd anniversary. The 💘 of my life.
LEGATO Italian for smooth, no gaps between notes (somewhat similar to musical slurs). A supreme show of the legato style. You might even consider parts of Bobby's presentation as yodeling! His range, breath control, and phrasing are superb. The orchestra is practically perfect as well. This performance belongs in the Library of Congress' preservation catalog of American masterpieces.
This was part of the Righteous Brothers appearance on the live Andy Williams Show, one of my dads favorite shows, so we all watched it, and even back then it was memorable. I can remember my girlfriend and her friends talking about how wonderful it was, and how cute Bobby was. It was a once in a lifetime moment. Great reaction. If you enjoy listening to acapella groups, I'd like to suggest you listen to Home Free and their cover of When A Man Loves A Woman. I think you will be amazed.
You nailed the best description of this performance..."once in a lifetime".....it's miracle they got it on tape, let alone color tape. In 1965 TV was just starting to convert to full time color TV instead of black and white. Bobby could not even beat this performance as he went along in years.
I agree with your assessment of the song. The only thing I would add is that not every "good" singer can be taught to sing like this. Much of this comes from the heart and soul of the person performing. PURE RAW TALENT. Emotion in every chord.
Thank you for making this video and for your reaction! I'm 70 and grew up in those times. It's an amazing rendition as sung by Bobby who we all miss very much. Compared to the electronics, synthesizers, and far better audio of today, he has done this perfectly with all the old fashioned gear from back then. He could actually hit three octives with ease. I read that Bobby's rendition was voted the #1 song of the twentieth century in the USA. Even to this day when us older folks go to partys this song is played at least twice. The second time as a closing song as the party nears its end. The women literally grab you and pull you up to the dance floor for a slow dance. Thank you again! Cheers!
Thank you for mentioning the strings. You are the first person I've seen react to this that has mentioned them. The orchestral arrangement for this performance was just immaculate.
I have loved music my entire life, even as an infant, which in my case, means for 70 years plus three and a half months!!!!!! This live performance is a precious jewel, a gift to everyone who hears it. I am glad you mentioned the orchestration because it is awesome. The low notes on the piano between verses especially intrigue me as they build up the excitement in the song. So totally gorgeous!!!!!!
Yes!!! They just stood there and let the voice do the talking!! Nowadays most of singers are entertainers not artists like they used to be...I'm 23 and I wish I was born at that time to witness that perfection...
This song came out just before the huge build up of American troops being sent to South Vietnam in mid 1960's at one point over 550,000 service men were in country and many of the troops were between 18-22 years old that were being sent there and away from their girlfriends.
The movie was partially shot at California Institution for Men , in Chino, California. I was in high school at the time and we lived about 500 yards from the prison fence. Once in a while, a prisoner would escape and the deputies would come around and tell all us farmers to not let anyone in or talk to them. Never taught much about it. The prison is still there and active. The star of the film was Elroy Hirsch (a retired receiver from the LA Rams football team). He was quite the athlete. His 'nickname' was Crazy Legs Hirsch.
No slurring, but flowing like To the Sea as the lyrics in the song. So smooth, reverent and just natural God given talent. You don't learn what his voice did. It was a gift.
Go, Bobby! I love how he sings so effortlessly -- no strain, no facial contortions.. like, it's just "normal" - and I've also read that he was particularly nervous about this LIVE performance, b/c his MOM was in the audience... I'm sure she was proud..
Lisa, loved your reaction video. In this live recording (lowest note being D above middle C), the last note sung is the highest. Bobby runs the scale up at the end from the 2nd C above midC to end the song 4 notes higher on the 3rd G above midC. But in the studio recording (the one heard in movies), he sings his highest note, the 3rd E above midC, on "need", two lines before the end. The last note he sings is actually 2 notes lower, the 2nd C above midC. Then the orchestra, holding his note, plays a slightly different melody and jumps up to the G to end the song.
Bobby Hatfield performed this live on the Andy Williams Show on October 25, 1965, accompanied by the orchestra on the show. No autotune, no backtracking, just pure talent. He suffered from terrible stage fright, and his mom and dad were in the audience, so when he hits the G5 at the end, he knows he nailed it. Bobby Hatfield was born in October 1940 and passed away in November 2003
This song was composed by multi-Academy Award Winning Composer Alex North with Lyrics by Hy Zaret for the (1955) Prison Movie "Unchained." Ten years later in (1965) on the "Andy Williams Show." Bobby Hatfield of the 'Righteous Brothers' and the 'Andy Williams Orchestra' gave a performance that was one for the ages. This performance on live television has gone down as one of the greatest (Live) performances in television history. This was done 57 years ago before Auto-Tune, computer or electronic enhancement. Brilliant!
I love old music it touches your soul. I can't stop listening to it gets me goosebumps and makes a real man cry listen to you've lost that loving feeling by his brother he has an amazing voice too will leave you with no words
One of the greatest unknown studio bands was the wrecking crew and they did the instruments in the recording studio to this song and many others like for the monkees, they were a studio band from the late 50's to around 1967 they also did the music for Cher and a bunch of other bands
No one sings like the Righteous Brothers. This girl is also fantastic. 伊卉儿Katty . She has the voice of an Angel. I just made a UA-cam channel with her music and will keep adding great videos. Why not give her a reaction?
The song was written and first recorded for a movie called Unchained, about a prisoner who missed his woman. But when Bobby sang it and made it so popular, it was the 60's and the Vietnam conflict. U.S. soldiers and Marines and sailors knew this song well.
The 60's were about a time lost... of a growing up... a time of becoming aware of the ugliness of life crashing down on innocence. A time where the norm was not good enough. The music of that era was special because of songs and sounds like the Righteous Brothers. Bobby Hatfield's version of this song will never be eclipsed by any other. It IS the gold standard and has a special place. I love people's reaction simply because they get lost in the melody...! Bobby's vocal treatment was so exceptional in that he was able to emotionally convey angst and longing and desire. No song has achieved that ever since. The song was used in the movie “Ghost”, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. As for influenced by black singers of the day... Motown was VERY Under-Appreciated... But was LOVED by way more than just the black population...! I loved a lot of songs that Motown produced.
Many ladies feel that Bobby is reaching out to them pouring out his soul to them ...Bobby Hatfield's voice back then and now still is pulling the heart strings of the ladies with his voice that was so buttery, smooth , velvety that it will linger for ever in that ladies of the past, present and future ,have, are and will fall in love with Unchained Melody....
![Daily Throwback | Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody [REACTION!] He SANG THAT! 🙌🏽](/img/n.gif)
This is the best version of this song ! No other can beat it,Bobby is in a league of his own here.
Agree ! No one else is even remotely close
Yep. This was sung Live on the Andy Williams show in 1965.
Elvis
@@jeanboneau6638 No
@@jeanboneau6638 Nope.
You asked how many times it took to get this perfect take and as others here have mentioned it only took one take because what you heard and saw was the LIVE version of this song which Bobby sung on The Andy Williams TV Show. The studio version was different and didn't have the great ending that this live version had. The studio version was done in two takes. The fact that Bobby simply grabbed the microphone and gave this masterful performance in one try shows how truly gifted he was.
I assume when he did do his rehearsal it was before the show started and before anyone from the audience was there and probably rehearsals was for the stage crew as well so they would know where to place their cameras. Maybe rehearsal was a couple or few hours before the actual event. Either way, I am really impressed
Yes, I was referring to when they recorded it in the studio. To get that version of the song that has so many iconic moments that people can sing along too. Naturally he sang an embellished, more improvised version for the live performance though. He's definitely a very gifted singer
Yes he was a very gifted singer and I grew up just ten miles from where Bobby did. The Righteous Brothers also did another live performance of a well known song called "Never Walk Alone" on the Ed Sullivan show and at the end of that song Bobby hit a note so high that Bill's head involuntarily jerked away as if it hurt his ears. You of course don't have to do a reaction to the song if you don't want to but as a singer yourself you may want to go ahead and view that performance to further appreciate Bobby's talent.@@LisaGrandLand
You can do all the rehearsals you want...But you still have to perform it live. Rehearsals does not always guaranteed a great performance. The great ones like Bobby Hatfield can call on their talent always...rehearsals are not.
@@Mr54nomore correct, and that’s not really the issue. When today’s artists record in the studio, not only do they use auto tune, but they record it hundreds of times and pick and choose from all the tape enough to patch together a reasonable version. You can practice all you want, but being able to deliver the entire song perfectly, and not exactly like any other rendition at that, is a very rate talent. Doing it with such an amazing voice is rarer still.
1965.One take, live, no autotune, no filtered enhancements; just pure, raw talent and discipline. Bravo, Bobby!
Bobby’s vocal range was amazing. Just listening to him could fill you with love and bring tears to your eyes. Rest in peace Bobby. We all miss you
Amen.
Perfectly said..I still cry.
His Mom was in the audience and he was worried that he wouldn't be able to nail it. Watch that lip bite at the end; he knew he did, bless him.
Love that "lip bite" at the end!!
He nailed it and he felt it in his soul.
He was looking down at his mother when he bit his lip and nodded.
Today the music industry tries to pass off dancers as musicians.
Back then, if you couldn't do it live, you couldn't do it.
Without autotune.
So many artists sound the same now it is sad .
It is like a any thousand popular songs could be by the same artist they are so manufactured.
Bobby had no formal training, he just had a wonderful natural talent. This was a live performance and is hailed as one of the best live performances ever.
He studied music in college. He was professionally trained and this is flawless.
This was better than the studio version!
This voice cannot be trained. It’s God given. Training will kill the soul of his voice because the mind will come into play and it will become very dry and mechanical.
"formal training" there in lies the problem for most singers. They give up natural talent and adopt a vocal change which is foreign to them, sort of like a breast implant 😊
Bobby was a naturally gifted singer.
And from what I've read he never really understood how unbelievably good his voice was. Bill Medley admitted that about Bobby too.
@@IJA1977 also his mom and dad were in the audience.
Bobby's voice was purely angelic. He and Bill were truly amazing together. We lost Bobby far too early. This performance was done live. The Righteous Brothers didn't do lip synching.
This song was was played a million times during the 60's and early 70's by wives and girl friends of our military that served during the Viet Nam war. I was one. Bobby Hatfield had a vocal range of 4 octaves. He was amazing. Beautiful song and a beautiful man.
I was ordered by my CO in CuChi to stop playing that record
He never recorded this in the studio in this manner. Just pure talent, done live.
This is by far the best live solo performance of all time.
No dancing, no Auto-Tune, just pure talent.
Absolute perfection
A once in a lifetime performance of a perfectly written song.
What needs to be emphasised here is the wonderful orchestral arrangement accompanying Bobby on this song - superb and hats off to the musical arranger.
@showmoke, PERFECTION
I was under the impression that it was Andy's studio orchestra. I asked Radio Reactive One about it. His answer was very informative. Its here on You Tube. Its a beautiful arrangement, equal to Bobby's amazing talent.
@@dawnaberry4197 - is there a link to that please?
I don't have the link, but just go to You Tube and enter RadioActive one, he's a former DJ. He has a very interesting video on the history of "Unchained Melody" from it's first singer on thru Bobby. I think you'll enjoy it.
@@dawnaberry4197 - Ok thanks. 👍
He had a cold that night. He had chronic stage fright, and his parents were in the audience for the first time that night. Unbelievable performance!
It cant be taught or trained. Its natural and its so unrealistically true. No words can describe this
Hi from germany, i have read very often the last time about bobby. So he was at the south california university, and studied musik. Therefore i think he worked very hard and together with his talent he became this great bobby. Regards
That performance was live!! That’s what makes it crazy
You got most of the true information about this song and about Bobby. The cool thing about the live performance was the fact there were no "redo's". It was "one and done". One thing I don't see mentioned was the fact his mother was in the audience. This, combined with the fact Bobby had stage fright, really added to the performance. He wanted it to be perfect for his Mother. He nailed it. And as has been said, he hit that G4 (G5-?) note at the end, with ease. The studio release version was at a lower octave. This song is 56yrs old at the time of your review. It has and will withstand the test of time forever. Why? Because, "Class Never Goes Out Of Style". Let's see if Cardi B's "WAP" is still around 50yrs from now!
I didn't know that he had stage fright. Wow! His voice didn't even waver, pure class. They don't make them like this anymore
Dam sure as hell not a hint of stage fright... Wow
Cardi B's "WAP" may be around in 50 years.
Toxic waste can be non-biodegradable.
For his Mom? Another reason to cry.👍🏼
Yep, and he was breathless just seconds before he sang it...I like the clip with the chat with Andy.
Live, no auto tune, no fuss just pure brilliance, in a time NEVER to be repeated or matched.❤️🎶❤️
Bill Medley, the other Brother, produced the studio version of this. He has said Bobby got it in one take, but then said he "heard" something and wanted to do it again. So the studio version was done in 2 takes with Bobby adding whatever it was he "heard.". This is a live performance on The Andy Williams Show. One take. IMO, and many agree, though the studio version is fantastic, this live performance is superior.
I would guess there was a bit of pressure on him due to the status and talent of the shows host-here is a song I have loved since that time, in high school the band leader was a huge fan of the composer Henry Mancini, so we heard his work often...ua-cam.com/video/L_jgIezosVA/v-deo.html
Thanks for this. Live performance is the true test of an artist's raw talent. Many can't even replicate the studio performance live, so he's proven his artistry for sure
According to Bill, what Bobby heard was the high note in the 2nd "I need your love!" line: www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/bill-medley-of-the-righteous-brothers
@@cmb32898 Thanks for the link. I had read or heard that somewhere, but wasn't sure if it was true. Since Bill said it, though, it must be.
@@maryannc6313 You’re welcome. I remembered reading about it somewhere so I did some digging. I figured Bill was being interviewed and said about how they recorded it. Either that, or it could have been one of the session musicians like Carol Kaye but turns out it was Bill.
Bobby was a phenomenal talent. He had little voice training, if any. He was also a natural high-register tenor, a "countertenor." No falsetto here. All he had to do was stand there, hold a mic, sing any song and a world of women fell in love. This is "Bobby's Song."
I AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PREFORMANCE HAS NOT BEEN LABELED A MASTERPIECE. ITS SO FLAWLESS. BOBBY'S TALENT JUST CAN'T BE MATCHED. THE WAY HE CAN GO THROUGH HIS SWELLS. HIS SKILLS AND STYLE ARE AMAZING
Young girls and women's hearts will be melting 50 years from now just like they did back in the 1960s when I was growing up. I was 16 when Bobby sang this classic and I'm telling you that EVERY girl just absolutely loved Bobby and this song. It was also popular with our troops in Vietnam. This might have been the ultimate love song - ever
He never took lessons. He was born fabulous.
No one else matches the emotion and sound of his voice for this song.
Not only the vocal but the arrangement is so well thought out and tasteful. A classic rendition and performance of one of the best songs ever.
I like the fact that you knew this song was written for a prison movie. However, nobody before or since sings it like the great Bobby Hatfield.
The only good thing about the movie was the song... "Unchained" stunk.👴
Or... William Stirrat, aka Hy Zaret, was 16 when he wrote lyrics about Mary Louise "Cookie" Pierce...
He was 16 years old and infatuated with "the prettiest girl in my neighborhood." He remembers well the frustration of being too shy to act on his feelings - the stuttered response when she spoke to him, the frozen reaction when she smiled at him. "Now, I think she was in love with me, too, but I was too shy to do anything or even talk to her," Stirrat says 67 years later....
Stirrat wrote the words to "Unchained Melody" in 1936 when he was on a summer scholarship at Yaddo’s Triuna Arts of the Theatre School...
www.dansher.com/unchained/unchained.html
Over 1500 artists have recorded this song, none have done it better.
so true!
Absolutely agree
Some have done it very very well. But this version is in a league of its own. Second place isn't even on the same playing field.
I agree 100 % and the live version is better than the studio one.
@@tomswinburn1778 Well put.
It was the Righteous Brothers they coined the term Blue Eyed Soul for.
The originals! cool
Actually, Timi Yuro was called "blue-eyed soul" before the Righteous Brothers
@@stanleyokimoto "Georgie Woods, a Philadelphia radio DJ, is thought to have coined the term "blue-eyed soul" in 1964, initially to describe The Righteous Brothers" look it up
@@davemeyer1423 The term blue-eyed soul referred to white musicians playing R&B music which began before the term blue-eyed soul was coined. In the early 1960s, Timi Yuro was one of the rare female blue-eyed soul singers whose vocal delivery and repertoire were influenced by African American singers such as Dinah Washington. This is before the Righteous Brothers.
I know you enjoyed this song because you smiled all the way to the end. I am amazed that he could hit such a high note without even struggling. It just came naturally for him. I wish more of this kind of music would be made. It is romantic without being graphic, and, as you said, it paints a picture with his voice.
Bobby had a vocal range of 4 octaves. Most singers have a range of 2 to 2 1/2 octaves.
Back in the day people had talent! Today, if you are attractive the music industry says WE CAN MAKE YOU SOUND GOOD!!
His range was unbeleivable! Rest in peace Bobby.
One thing you may not know that his parents were in the the audience. He was nervous but nailed it! Amazing.
One of, if not the greatest, live performances of any song of any genre in musical history IMO. Thank you for the reaction and thank your Mom and Dad for the Beauty which you have, what a smile!! Bravo to the music and analyst! Aloha!
It's so iconic! Thank you! and thanks for watching! 😃🙏
This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and I doubt anybody could do a more beautiful rendition.
Right at the end he flashes a little smile. He knew he had nailed it.
No synthesizers, no auto tune or singing enhancements, no computers.. pure talent.
I was 17 in 1965 and somehow missed this solo by Bobby Lee Hatfield. If I'd heard this then (especially live) I would have fallen in love.....sheesh I did and I am now 74. Thank you Bobby Lee you are an icon and you gave us such beauty and form and lovely thoughts, feelings and memories.
I'm 80 and I still listen to his song as often as I can
When this song came out, thousands of American boys were 10,000 miles from home in VIetnam. They were wondering if their girl would wait for them, and of course that seldom happened. With that context, you can understand the popularity of this song in Southeast Asia.
That is the definition of audio velvet. One the best live solo pop/rock vocal performances of all time IMO.
If you listen very closely you can hear that Bobby was suffering from a head cold during this performance but went ahead with it anyway as "THE SHOW MUST GO ON!" Also, his mother was present in the audience which explains the little smile at the end of the performance.
Once. One take, all the way through, for the recorded version.
And no auto tune
@@RobRager autotune wasn't even a thing back in those days
This live version is far better than the studio version. My mother and older sisters were crazy about Bobby. Amazing talent.
Maybe the best live performance of all time.
Imagine not only being able to do this but to do it this well with a head cold. Always has blown my mind and my heart right out of my body.
I'm glad you noticed the trills during the section of the song about "lonely rivers flowing to the sea"; that little detail jumped out for me after I had heard this version several times. To me, it is just another small thing that passes unnoticed usually, but adds a lot to the song.
I read somewhere, but have been unable to verify it, that the arrangement for this live performance was done by the other Righteous Brother, BIll Medley.
The greatest performance of this song ever! Bobby had a truly magnificent voice and natural talent. Simply amazing.
No one can top Bobby Hatfield. He was born to sing this song. Over 670 have covered this song. He sings it so effortlessly. Great range. I’ve been listening to this since 1965. Yes I’m old lol but I have good taste in music. Sad but Bobby left us in 2003. The Righteous Brothers. The greatest duo of all time with Bill Medley. Please listen to them together. Try Soul And Inspiration, and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling. Thank you
One of the greats Bobby could flat out sing
His range was otherworldly. You can research his low to high and it's mind-boggling.
Heh, it didn't even take 10 seconds for you to melt to his voice 🙂
One thing which makes his performance so special is how he makes you feel he is singing this for you personally.
Nobody will ever beat your song Bobby ❤😅 R. I. P Bobby you sure deserve it
I was four when Bobby Hatfield sang in front of this audience.. it still brings a tear to my eyes.... thanks for sharing your review of UNCHAINED MELODY.
Aaron from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Girl, you nailed this. 1960's had no voice correction, or post production enhancements. Most Contemporary artists would have failed. This is a one take live .
this was LIVE and Bobby was a true tenor.
MY dear, his vocal control is Amazzing, and the effortless power of his voice!☺
Arguably the most talented male vocalist of all time... Bobby Hatfield looked and sang like an angel... Perfection 👌
I loved your reaction to The Righteous Brothers song Unchained Melody. First of all I've got to say that your lovely face and smile hooked me right away the your voice made me fall in love not in a scary way. I was fourteen when this song came out and I was blown away also. I couldn't play it on my record player along with all their other songs. But to watch you smile all the way through the song and let out some precious giggles along the way was just touching. Your explanation of what was going on during his performance delightful and informative. It gave me a better appreciation for the skill it took to do what he did. In the way of a side note, I heard that how they got their name was that while performing at a club where service men who were station at a nearby military base someone said " Wow, that's righteous brother" they heard it and they became The Righteous Brothers. Thank you for giving them some love and for being such a sweetie pie!
One of the greatest live performances EVER! Many many many children were conceived as a result of this performance. 😊
Back in the days when performers had to actually perform, unlike nowadays lip syncing and digital music, things in the microphone to smooth out voices, that's why I mainly only listen to older songs, thank you for your reaction
50s and 60s is all I listen to
My future wife and I heard and danced when unchanged melody when it was released. My love 💓 waited for me to return from military service in 1968. Going on our 53rd anniversary. The 💘 of my life.
LEGATO Italian for smooth, no gaps between notes (somewhat similar to musical slurs). A supreme show of the legato style. You might even consider parts of Bobby's presentation as yodeling! His range, breath control, and phrasing are superb. The orchestra is practically perfect as well. This performance belongs in the Library of Congress' preservation catalog of American masterpieces.
This was part of the Righteous Brothers appearance on the live Andy Williams Show, one of my dads favorite shows, so we all watched it, and even back then it was memorable. I can remember my girlfriend and her friends talking about how wonderful it was, and how cute Bobby was. It was a once in a lifetime moment. Great reaction.
If you enjoy listening to acapella groups, I'd like to suggest you listen to Home Free and their cover of When A Man Loves A Woman. I think you will be amazed.
You nailed the best description of this performance..."once in a lifetime".....it's miracle they got it on tape, let alone color tape. In 1965 TV was just starting to convert to full time color TV instead of black and white. Bobby could not even beat this performance as he went along in years.
I agree with your assessment of the song. The only thing I would add is that not every "good" singer can be taught to sing like this. Much of this comes from the heart and soul of the person performing. PURE RAW TALENT. Emotion in every chord.
This is live tv and only took one take to record..thats whay this is epic.
Bobby and the NBC orchestra were great together. Plus mama and daddy were in the audience. Don't you embarrasse us. He lived to sing another day. 😁
It is a heavenly voice today singers cannot touch the singers of the sixties pure talent
No Auto tune just raw talent.
Thank you for your commentary and providing us non-singers with greater musical understanding and appreciation.
His quick smile at the end is because his mother was in the audience that night and he knew he nailed the performance for her.
Thank you for making this video and for your reaction! I'm 70 and grew up in those times. It's an amazing rendition as sung by Bobby who we all miss very much. Compared to the electronics, synthesizers, and far better audio of today, he has done this perfectly with all the old fashioned gear from back then. He could actually hit three octives with ease. I read that Bobby's rendition was voted the #1 song of the twentieth century in the USA. Even to this day when us older folks go to partys this song is played at least twice. The second time as a closing song as the party nears its end. The women literally grab you and pull you up to the dance floor for a slow dance. Thank you again! Cheers!
Bobby got you! Don't fell bad, you are one of several million of ladies that got caught up in his singing net.....
Haha he sure did lol
We are in the wrong profession
It's because we all want a man to love us the way he sounds in this song. There is a longing in his voice.
I've watched this performance so many times and all I have to say is Bobby Hatfield was a fucking master, nobody does this anymore.
Thank you for mentioning the strings. You are the first person I've seen react to this that has mentioned them. The orchestral arrangement for this performance was just immaculate.
I have loved music my entire life, even as an infant, which in my case, means for 70 years plus three and a half months!!!!!! This live performance is a precious jewel, a gift to everyone who hears it. I am glad you mentioned the orchestration because it is awesome. The low notes on the piano between verses especially intrigue me as they build up the excitement in the song. So totally gorgeous!!!!!!
Yes!!! They just stood there and let the voice do the talking!! Nowadays most of singers are entertainers not artists like they used to be...I'm 23 and I wish I was born at that time to witness that perfection...
You showed and demonstrated the qualities of a fabulous singer which was much appreciated. Thank You pretty lady.
That’s a live performance.
This song came out just before the huge build up of American troops being sent to South Vietnam in mid 1960's at one point over 550,000 service men were in country and many of the troops were between 18-22 years old that were being sent there and away from their girlfriends.
The movie was partially shot at California Institution for Men , in Chino, California. I was in high school at the time and we lived about 500 yards from the prison fence. Once in a while, a prisoner would escape and the deputies would come around and tell all us farmers to not let anyone in or talk to them. Never taught much about it. The prison is still there and active. The star of the film was Elroy Hirsch (a retired receiver from the LA Rams football team). He was quite the athlete. His 'nickname' was Crazy Legs Hirsch.
No slurring, but flowing like To the Sea as the lyrics in the song. So smooth, reverent and just natural God given talent. You don't learn what his voice did. It was a gift.
Go, Bobby! I love how he sings so effortlessly -- no strain, no facial contortions.. like, it's just "normal" - and I've also read that he was particularly nervous about this LIVE performance, b/c his MOM was in the audience... I'm sure she was proud..
One of the best reaction videos I've seen, and I've seen almost all of them on this song. Well done.
Bobby had that God-given voice and talent.
Lisa, loved your reaction video.
In this live recording (lowest note being D above middle C), the last note sung is the highest. Bobby runs the scale up at the end from the 2nd C above midC to end the song 4 notes higher on the 3rd G above midC.
But in the studio recording (the one heard in movies), he sings his highest note, the 3rd E above midC, on "need", two lines before the end. The last note he sings is actually 2 notes lower, the 2nd C above midC. Then the orchestra, holding his note, plays a slightly different melody and jumps up to the G to end the song.
No training just pure raw talent and it's the best live performance ever and best ever love song written ❤
Your explanations and views were great and so detailed. So much more information than other reaction videos
Bobby Hatfield performed this live on the Andy Williams Show on October 25, 1965, accompanied by the orchestra on the show. No autotune, no backtracking, just pure talent. He suffered from terrible stage fright, and his mom and dad were in the audience, so when he hits the G5 at the end, he knows he nailed it. Bobby Hatfield was born in October 1940 and passed away in November 2003
Bobby Hatfield was born on August 10, 1940. ✨
😘I heard his mother was in the audience.
Thank you!
I had all of the Righteous brothers albums. 🥲
This song was composed by multi-Academy Award Winning Composer Alex North with Lyrics by Hy Zaret for the (1955) Prison Movie "Unchained."
Ten years later in (1965) on the "Andy Williams Show." Bobby Hatfield of the 'Righteous Brothers' and the 'Andy Williams Orchestra' gave a performance that was one for the ages.
This performance on live television has gone down as one of the greatest (Live) performances in television history. This was done 57 years ago before Auto-Tune, computer or electronic enhancement. Brilliant!
You gave us your Review...after having PREVIOUSLY listened to this very Remarkable 55 year old Live one-off performance. Thank you.
I love old music it touches your soul. I can't stop listening to it gets me goosebumps and makes a real man cry listen to you've lost that loving feeling by his brother he has an amazing voice too will leave you with no words
Bill Medley. They are not really brothers, that's just the name of their act.
One of the greatest unknown studio bands was the wrecking crew and they did the instruments in the recording studio to this song and many others like for the monkees, they were a studio band from the late 50's to around 1967 they also did the music for Cher and a bunch of other bands
What is it that is so satisfying to see someone appreciate something that you appreciate so much. Great video! 🙂
Best smile i have seen of anyone reacting to this hit i have seen yet! Great job!
No one sings like the Righteous Brothers. This girl is also fantastic. 伊卉儿Katty . She has the voice of an Angel. I just made a UA-cam channel with her music and will keep adding great videos. Why not give her a reaction?
The song was written and first recorded for a movie called Unchained, about a prisoner who missed his woman. But when Bobby sang it and made it so popular, it was the 60's and the Vietnam conflict. U.S. soldiers and Marines and sailors knew this song well.
The 60's were about a time lost... of a growing up... a time of becoming aware of the ugliness of life crashing down on innocence. A time where the norm was not good enough. The music of that era was special because of songs and sounds like the Righteous Brothers. Bobby Hatfield's version of this song will never be eclipsed by any other. It IS the gold standard and has a special place. I love people's reaction simply because they get lost in the melody...! Bobby's vocal treatment was so exceptional in that he was able to emotionally convey angst and longing and desire. No song has achieved that ever since. The song was used in the movie “Ghost”, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. As for influenced by black singers of the day... Motown was VERY Under-Appreciated... But was LOVED by way more than just the black population...! I loved a lot of songs that Motown produced.
Thanks for your commentary and you just heard an angel sing... Rip-. Bobby Hatfield
Many ladies feel that Bobby is reaching out to them pouring out his soul to them ...Bobby Hatfield's voice back then and now still is pulling the heart strings of the ladies with his voice that was so buttery, smooth , velvety that it will linger for ever in that ladies of the past, present and future ,have, are and will fall in love with Unchained Melody....
That boys and girls is real singing AWESOME!