I'm one who certainly considers it....the Greatest Performance...live or otherwise. Bobby Hatfield singing this....grabs hold of you just as she felt it...as most others feel it. We are just so gifted...that THIS performance was recorded and preserved so well...for us..and all others lucky enough to witness it.
Bill and Bobby went the extra mile by frequently modifying their hits for concerts, recordings and TV appearances. I've heard at least four different versions of this song, including one by Bill. IMHO, the boys from Anaheim were great arrangers and producers as well as singers, and were topnotch professionals, as was their buddy Elvis.
God given talent in the form of a hell of a lot of individual hard work gave singers their ability to sing before auto tune was invented and The Beatles drove the craze fo multi-tracking.
A lot of people say this is the best live performance of any song in history. That covers a lot of territory, but I can say I've never heard a better one.
I am Dutch and 62 years old. I first heard this song around 1968, yes I was 8 years old. This song has never, ever bored me. Thousands of times I have listened to this. Many of today's younger people may think this is corny, but this man had a voice designed in heaven. There is no one, really no one who will ever surpass this. He even had a bit of a cold on this show. It's from the Andy Williams show in 1965.This should be the Anthem of the universe.
This song was written in 1955. There where over 500 (!!!) covers of this song out there, but for me, and I think the rest of the world, THIS is the best and most beautiful cover!!!
Yes, this was a live performance and Bobby said he wanted to have a perfect performance because his mother was in the audience. HE FREAKING NAILED IT! He couldn't have made his mom prouder! Bill Medley, the other Righteous Brother, was asked why he let Bobby do this song solo and his answer was classic! He said, "I didn't know it was going to be a HIT!" Boy, was he surprised. Also, this song is from a movie called "Unchained", about a guy in prison waiting on the day he could return to his true love. Hence the name "Unchained Melody". Great reaction video again!
@@generationgapreacts If you look to his right and back a bit, you can see her. She's wearing a blue dress and a fur stole. His dad is sitting next to her.
I’m 70 and watched this original show. I have heard this a ba-zillion times. I still get chills even if I listen to it back-to-back. I know because I’ve tried it several times.
I grew up in in the 1960s and was a teenager who heard so many good singers and was a lot into Soul Music R&B, Motown but the Righteous Brothers singing and and voices are unmatched. This video and watching the women who heard it for the first time almost crying also choked me to up remembering those days that are long behind me and we will never see a time like then and a duo like these guys ever again, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley.
Ahh...the late Bobby Hatfield! I was 15 yrs old when I watched him sing this beautiful song on the Andy Williams show in 1965. I'm 74 yrs old and I still listen to their CD in my car all the time. My deceased husband and I fell in love with him and his other singing buddy in this group. RIP Bobby! We miss your beautful voice! You own this song. No one sang it like you did!
This song covered by over 670 artists but this is the gold standard. Bobby Hatfield has the incredible range. What else can you say. Sadly Bobby left us in 2003. I was 15 when it came out and never get tired of it. Thank you
You can understand why young people today are turning back to the days when performers made songs without all of the modern techno we have now. Real music and real singing will always be there and always played. The righteous Brothers were up there with the best of those times. Great video ladies. 👍
My generation had the best music. The music world lost Bobby Hatfield in 2003, just weeks after The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. RIP Bobby. Such a great talent. Just a young man, a microphone and pure talent. No auto tunes. Well dress. Wonderful performance.
Bobby's mother was in the front row of the audience,....it was his first time performing to her live,.....so he sang the most perfect live recording ever ..... Thank you.
@@generationgapreacts I believe you will hear this song sang again by other singers (even on UA-cam) but for thousands of people nobody can sing it as brilliant as Bobby Hatfield, who sadly is no longer with us now
Bobby Hatfield was a contra tenor, the rarest of all singing voices. Every note that he demonstrated in this song looked effortless for him because it was, the full range you heard in this song was totally natural for him. Look at his face and his posture: stress free, relaxed, just a smooth flow. 100% natural voice, natural control, natural talent, no computer tricks or enhancements. Very few vocal artists match him, before or since. One of the acknowledged finest vocal performances of all time, with one of the top ten finest and most romantic songs of all time. There were many covers of this song, from the time it debuted in the little known prison movie “Unchained”, to the modern day. His live performance is still considered the best ever. He took total possession of that song, and made it forever his. He is truly missed.
@@bbb462cid don’t feel alone. My singing voice has been banned in 26 states, and Texas enacted a law making it an alternative form of capital punishment.
One thing that gets me about this song is how many people swear they have never heard of it... But then, once they actually hear it... Their eyes light up when they realize they actually HAVE heard it, and just did not know it. Obviously, this didn't happen here, but there is still just as much, if not more, of a thrill to watch somebody witness perfection for the first time.
I am 84, and first heard this when it was released. I appreciate this performance now more than then. The young lady’s fighting back tears is my reaction today. Where are the artists today that can create such feelings?
This is what singers of yesterday year such as Bobby performed like, whether live or in the studio, it was all talent to sing like he does. If auto-tune was used on this song, it would take away all the emotions that come from the various sounds and techniques that Bobby uses, and it would sound bland or oh-hum. The more people of today get to view, listen and react to singers of yesteryears, they will appreciate how talented they were in those eras.
@@generationgapreacts The Wall of Sound is how the instruments were used. Why have 1 guitarist and overdubbing several times when you can have 3 or more playing the exact same thing simultaneously. The same for all the other instruments. Each instrument has a different sound and their sounds, I guess, bleed into each other. However, none of that has anything to do with Unchained Melody. Bill Medley produced it for one of their albums. Spector was only interested in hit singles. No one knows why he used it for the B-side of Hung on You. He wasn't a happy camper when Unchained Melody became a huge hit, but he had no problem taking credit for it.
More than 670 Artist have sung this song, but no one can equal the voice of Bobby Hatfield. The reason this song is timeless...it belongs to every Military guy, who left his sweetheart at home from Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and every conflict past and future. It says everything he wants to tell her and the words breathe life into all who listen.
This song has been covered by many artists including Elvis, but in my opinion no one has done it better than Bobby Hatfield. This was simply a magical performance. Ladies, I highly recommend reacting to "Soul & Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers. Bobby's flowing tenor and Bill's thundering baritone make it a musical treat.
Great reaction. Possibly the best live performance ever. Got to hear Tom Jones-"I`ll Never Fall In Love Again" (Live performance) . Daughter will love it!!
The studio version is different but equally as magnificent. That is worth checking out. Was done on one take. The producer in the studio said it was perfection.
The producer was Bill Medley. Bobby wanted to do another take; he said he could do it better and Bill told him no you can't. I think here he showed he could.
The fact that this song was played in the movie the Ghost gives it so much additional meaning. The song and the movie complement each other perfectly. Thanks for the reaction!
My boyfriend bought me this album when I met him in 1965. I was 15 & he was 18. We got married the next year 1966 💞💞💞. What. 55 years 🤔. Still my song 🥺🥺
Another great duo who really are brothers is the Everly Brothers. Songs like "All I have to do is dream", "wake up little Susie", " Bird Dog" and "Cathy's Clown" just to name a few.
This was known as Blue-eyed Soul back in the day. Bobby had a great range from Tenor to Countertenor (not falsetto, falsetto is breathy and straining). This performance was not only live (on the Andy Williams Show), he had a head cold, his mom and dad were in the audience and had never heard him sing live before and he was worried about getting that top note at the end. Nailed it! That little grin at the end says so much! This song was also used in the movie Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. I tear up every time I hear it, and I've heard it a lot! So nice to see it through your eyes. Makes it even more special. These guys got their name from the Marines (specifically the Black Marines) at El Toro Marine Base in Southern California. After the songs they would yell "That was righteous brothers! And it stuck!
He was such an incredibly talented man, a great counter tenor, and cute as a button. The Righteous Brothers were a classy, romantic singing duo, timeless and sang many different genres of songs. They are once in a lifetime.
I've listened to this song since it came out a thousand times & like you I still get chills. This is considered one of the best live TV performances ever. Great reactions & really enjoy how you really take the song & incredible vocals in. You can't go wrong reacting to any Righteous Brothers songs. Their music library is large from their Moon Glow Record label album to the Verge & MGM record labels. Videos of "Soul and Inspiration" and the Ed Sullivan TV show where they sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" are great. They did solos too like the recordings of Bobby singing "Ebb Tide". "Stay With Me Baby", "Sentimental Reasons". The baritone Bill sings lead on the bluesy "I Wanna Make Love To You" & he has a video from the Playboy After Dark TV show I love that he sings his "Brown Eyed Woman" with the Blossoms singing backup. Bill Medley is still performing at age 82 with a new partner Bucky Heard. Saw them 6 months ago in CA & the auditorium was packed. Bobby sadly died in 2003 shortly after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Blue Eyed Soul Lives On. Enjoy the ride.
ps I'm normally not into the country music genre but I do recommend you hear Chris Stapleton perform "Tennessee Whiskey" live at the Austin City Limits. That's his wife Morgane singing backup with him.
@@davidchase1439 I'll ck the Elvis's live version out. Thx. I actually am not a big fan of watching Elvis perform although I know some folks still adore him & he does have many good songs out there. So will watch & probably enjoy "If I Can Dream now" just from your recommendation.
Notice those cute little grins of his when he plays with his vocals! He knows exactly what he can do and that he CAN do it when he wants to. He doesn't mind showing of what he can do and enjoying every second of it. It has been said, more babies were conceived to this song than any other song in recorded history!!
Ladies, Many other artists have covered this song doing it justice and with all due respect to them, in my humble opinion Mr. Bobby Hatfield (R.I.P.) absolutely "owns" this song!!! He slayed that live performance too!!! This is a timeless & unmatched masterpiece!!!
It’s a joy watching two pretty ladies enjoying each others company along with good music. Mom was obviously familiar with the song and the artist, but I love the different reactions. Mom remembering a song she knew well and daughter being exposed to a new sound was wonderful to watch. I look forward to the two of you sharing music together.
I absolutely love this song and have listened to at least a dozen or more performers sing it. This has always been my favorite rendition of this beautiful song. God bless and RIP Bobby.
This TV performance was in 1965, but the song was "born" for a 1955 prison movie titled "Unchained." You may also listen for it to be played in the movie "Ghost." The imagery of the lyrics can't be beat (well, maybe some of Hank Williams Sr. songs win the top spot) and, as y'all say, the delivery here was without peer. Glad you introduced your Daughter to this music, Mom!
OK. Stop making me tear up. Sheesh, to see your first time reaction to this was emotion filled for me. Thank you! Soul Inspiration is the Righteous Brothers that I recommend you react to. I love you two so much and I'm so happy you decided to do this. Keep being amazing!
Unchained Melody is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. North wrote the music as a theme for the prison film Unchained (1955). The best - known version of Unchained Melody was recorded by the duo. The Righteous Brothers in 1965. Elvis Presley (cover version) is also great! Suggestion: Mariska Veres, Billie Jo Spears, Robert Gordon, Dana Gilliespie and Precious Wilson. Thanks! For a great reaction video.🙂
I get so moved myself even after having listened to this song at least a hundred times. It is my hubby's and my song, and I played it many times when he served in the Vietnam War. When you teared up, I teared up! STOP THAT! Just teasing. I love that you and your mother can show such emotional connections to the great, iconic performances!! You describe your reactions so articulately- nailing them time after time. Keep on-- I'm with you!
The background of how they originally came to perform this on an album is interesting. Bill and Bobby would each do one solo number on their albums. They both wanted to do this one; they flipped a coin and Bobby won. Bill played the keyboards and was the producer. After the first take, Bobby said, “Play it again, I can do it better.” Bill answered “No, you can’t.” He knew perfection when he heard it. Later, when it became popular again due to its inclusion in the film Ghost, there was some licensing problem that prevented them from reissuing the single to capitalize on it. So they just recorded it again! The new version was a hit also. But with all that said, this live version on the Andy Williams show is the one for the ages. ❤
No need for words, your lovely faces say it all, They don't write beautiful music like this anymore. Written and sung from the heart with feeling. Great channel.
Bobby was a shy person and some people said he had mild stage fright (not sure if that is true or not), but for this performance his mother was in the audience and he was worried that nervousness would affect him. Obviously not.
It was great to see both of your reactions. One heard this for the first time and the other reaction was that of meeting an old friend. The magic comes so clear to the first timer as it does for the ole friend. Many of us first heard this song over the AM radio and then on a black and white TV. Not everyone had a color tv set, heck, not many had TVs. But the magic is still so very there. Like your "Lost that Loving Feeling" reaction--awesome.
New subscriber. Love the reaction to this timeless classic. Mom knows already daughter will love it. A sign of a good mom :) Beautiful daughter. Beautiful reaction.
Thanks, kids! Bobby is so awesome.. and he makes it seem easy... you never see him straining or screaming... he just "went there"... lol... (also, his MOM was in the audience that night, so he said he was nervous... I'm sure she was proud!)
Love seeing your reactions, which is why so many of us watch these reaction videos. As you said, it is a flawless LIVE performance of a timeless song. It is so poignant if you know the context. It is about a prisoner who is in great anxiety over whether time has changed his wife's love for him (I'll be coming home, wait for me). It is really moving, bring tears to one's eyes. FYI, this was sung in a 1955 (I believe) movie about the man's time in prison. The Righteous Brothers, especially Bobby Hatfield, made it very popular. It has been covered hundreds of times by a multitude of artist.
Live on the Andy Williams TV Show. no auto tune here - just pure TALENT. This song sung by Bobby Hatfield (RIP) had all of us ladies melting and felt like he was singing to each one of us. His smooth, 3 octave range was so controlled and clear, with a tone quality unmatched and yet so effortlessly reaching those highest notes that sopranos' would strain to hit! simply amazing. His mom was in the audience - first time to watch him perform . Bill Medley is playing the piano. Your reaction is exactly the same as we ladies experienced back in the day- mesmerized and also tearful, wondering "will a man love me like this"? Left you speechless - as with us. And, regarding your comment after the song: This live version is nearly identical to the recorded version - except he did add some, and they - The Righteous Brothers - were not known for using a lot of "takes" to get it just right in the studio. Now, from among their other top 40 singles, one more is a must: Soul and Inspiration. A verse from each one, but the ending is all Bill - along with the usual harmony between them.
It's actually quite different from the studio/record/radio version. This Live performance is vastly superior to those which is sad because most have only heard the versions from the radio/album and Ghost. This performance is much more dynamic and there is far more power...especially towards the end.
I love these reactions. The genuine feelings people show towards blue eyed soul is amazing. Especially in this one where BOBBY and Bill flipped a coin to see who would sing it. Bobby’s mom was in the audience. And the fact that Bobby was suffering through a head cold and still nailed it without auto tune. It was live. One shot. The lip bite at the end showed that he knew he hit it. And, yes, that is the way Bobby sang. He did it without looking like he was straining. It was well within his range. Great reaction you two. Do more of them.
@@generationgapreacts I've read where Bobby loved this song...and had been singing it for years before this performance...even alone or a capella. I read where he would practice his singing in his high school's boys bathroom because the acoustics gave him feedback he liked (he was President of his '57-'58 high school class). By the way...Bobby and Bill's "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" is amazing too.
Bobby and Phil were on a Sunday night variety show called The Andy Williams Show when Bobby recorded this. My family sat and watched the show, as we did most Sundays, and after Bobby finished singing, both of my sisters fell in love with him. It one of my favorite memories from my teenage years. The song is from a 1952(?) movie named Unchained based on a man in prison who write a letter to his sweetheart if she will wait for him.
I went to the Andy Williams show to see the Osmonds who were on Andy Williams show pretty regular but not on this show. I was so disappointed to not see them until this was sung. Like your sisters fell in love with Bobby who I thought was singing to me.
@@duckducknight I think almost every young lady who watched the show fell in love with him, and thought he was singing to only them. It was many years after this show until this video was shown agin, and a whole new generation of women fell for him. Thank goodness for UA-cam for making this video available again.
I grew up with this song and it was recorded over 1,500 times by more than 670 Artists from around the World. I haven’t heard most of them but I know Bobby did it best. That little smile at the end was because his Mother was in the audience and he got through it. Do you ever listen to Australian singers? We have some amazing talent that only we know about like John Farnham. He has one of the best voices in the world and we haven’t found a genre he can’t sing yet. He is always better live. John had number one hit albums in 5 consecutive decades, even Michael Jackson couldn’t push him out of number one and that album stayed at number one for 6 months. If you haven’t heard of him listen to him sing Help, live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and that was his second encore after two hours of using his voice like that. He is called the Voice here. He is kind, funny and very loved. Thank you.
The back story on this song is that it was written by an inmate to his love interest while he was serving time. Lyrics make even more sense given that background.
Time now to watch 'Ghost' together, which features Bobby's studio recording of this song. My future song suggestion is Peggy Lee singing Fever. Have fun with all the great music!
Thank you beautiful ladies for a review that does justice to this wonderful performance! I love to watch most any woman who has never heard this recording, experience it for the first time - there is always a moment not too far in, when she absolutely truly realizes deep in her heart, emotionally at least, he is singing to her and to her alone. Bobby's ability to pack his voice with emotion was then, and still is, really unparalleled. As a female vocalist, Angelina Jordan can do the same sort of magic wonders with her singing, but no living male singer can hold a candle to what Bobby did so naturally, effortlessly, and convincingly. Some things about this particular recording are interesting: he apparently was very nervous before the performance (from what I have heard, he was troubled by stage fright all life). Until this performance his mother had never heard him sing professionally, but she was in audience for this, and that apparently made the stage fright even worse. And so he comes out to sing one of the most beautiful iconic love songs and does it perfectly, absolutely perfectly. And at least for that song, at that time (and forever) - He was the best singer ever. Bobby owns this song and always will. And by the look on his face at the end, when bites his lip, it seems like he knew in his heart that he had nailed it! May his soul be blessed for all the love he sent to everyone.
Another great song and a first class performance. As you both identified, his vocal performance appeared effortless. He really did appear to be in his comfort zone and made it all look easy (which it probably wasn't!). The mark of a great, great singer. Another song that will be played hundreds of years from now.
Almost 60 Years later and best ever love song is still on my playlist on weddings by request. I have DJ'd for almost 500 weddings over my time and this song still creates a special moment. I believe that this song will be listened to in the future and will reach 100 years or more. Thankyou for your reaction to this song. Well a song I will never play on a wedding but is extremely deep hearted to me personally is James Blunt - Monsters (every time I listen to this song it emotionally breaks me in pieces)
Hope ur both well, Miss yr reactions. Bobby Hatfield was one of the greatest singers ever and this song is one of the greatest songs in music history. I suggest Bobby's Crying in the Chapel and Bill Medleys Yr Previous Love and Brown Eyed Woman with the Blossoms.
After more than 50+ years many still consider this to be the greatest "live" performance ever.
It's hard to argue that . IMO
I'm one who certainly considers it....the Greatest Performance...live or otherwise. Bobby Hatfield singing this....grabs hold of you just as she felt it...as most others feel it. We are just so gifted...that THIS performance was recorded and preserved so well...for us..and all others lucky enough to witness it.
Absolutely agree. So sorry that Bobby didn't make it. Tragic.
Agreed!
I agree. That was before the modern technology.
Well said!👍🏻👍🏻
Perhaps the finest LIVE vocal performance ever..
I've been saying the same for years - just a perfect performance
ROY ORBISON
Excellent live performance…my favourite but second live performance is Disturbed singing Sounds of Silence
THE BEST LIVE WAS ELVIS 1968 IF I CAN DREAM.
@@deeohgee4574 agree
Perfect vocals with zero autotune, pure talent, and he wasn't even trained, just God given talent.
And he's playing in front of his mother two days after recovering from a cold.
100 percent don't make them like they use to
Bill and Bobby went the extra mile by frequently modifying their hits for concerts, recordings and TV appearances. I've heard at least four different versions of this song, including one by Bill. IMHO, the boys from Anaheim were great arrangers and producers as well as singers, and were topnotch professionals, as was their buddy Elvis.
God given talent in the form of a hell of a lot of individual hard work gave singers their ability to sing before auto tune was invented and The Beatles drove the craze fo multi-tracking.
Well said!!👍🏻👍🏻
A lot of people say this is the best live performance of any song in history. That covers a lot of territory, but I can say I've never heard a better one.
I am Dutch and 62 years old. I first heard this song around 1968, yes I was 8 years old. This song has never, ever bored me. Thousands of times I have listened to this. Many of today's younger people may think this is corny, but this man had a voice designed in heaven. There is no one, really no one who will ever surpass this. He even had a bit of a cold on this show. It's from the Andy Williams show in 1965.This should be the Anthem of the universe.
Absolutly love this song and thus perfect sung
Amen!
i’m a 16 year old guy and this is my favourite song ever. and i’m definitely playing this at my wedding.
I am 66 and this makes me 😭
Helemaal mee eens, Ruud. Ik ben nu 77 jr, en geniet nog steeds van dit lied. Schitterend!
Those were the days of real music. I am 76 now and I will never get tired of this music.
Ditto!!
I love the reaction of younger listeners who haven't heard this song before.
This is the GOLD standard for this song and always will be. Period.
The vocal gymnastics of Bobbys voice are just incredible. This is one of the best and most emotive live performances of all time!
He was 21 on the Andy Williams show singing live with his mom in the audience
@@moloney118 I'll bet mom had tears in her eyes.
RIP BOBBY HATFIELD 😢
Love always
Mesa AZ
@@moloney118 No, 25. This is 1965 and he was born in 1940.
you are correct, i got mixed up, still an amazing performance.
If that voice doesn't capture your whole soul then you don't have one. Absolutely one of the most Amazing Voices ever !
This song was written in 1955. There where over 500 (!!!) covers of this song out there, but for me, and I think the rest of the world, THIS is the best and most beautiful cover!!!
Nothing beats Bobby!
Every time I hear Bobby Hatfield sing "Unchained Melody" I am blown away! Such a great voice and song!
You a correct. This song has been described as both, brilliantly simple, and simply brilliant.
Yes, this was a live performance and Bobby said he wanted to have a perfect performance because his mother was in the audience. HE FREAKING NAILED IT! He couldn't have made his mom prouder! Bill Medley, the other Righteous Brother, was asked why he let Bobby do this song solo and his answer was classic! He said, "I didn't know it was going to be a HIT!" Boy, was he surprised. Also, this song is from a movie called "Unchained", about a guy in prison waiting on the day he could return to his true love. Hence the name "Unchained Melody". Great reaction video again!
Thank you Tim! I didn’t know Bobby’s mother was in the audience. That’s fantastic! 😃
That makes sense about the song name! He really did nail this performance
@@generationgapreacts If you look to his right and back a bit, you can see her. She's wearing a blue dress and a fur stole. His dad is sitting next to her.
And he was dealing with a scratchy throat from a cold.
I’m 70 and watched this original show. I have heard this a ba-zillion times. I still get chills even if I listen to it back-to-back.
I know because I’ve tried it several times.
I grew up in in the 1960s and was a teenager who heard so many good singers and was a lot into Soul Music R&B, Motown but the Righteous Brothers singing and and voices are unmatched. This video and watching the women who heard it for the first time almost crying also choked me to up remembering those days that are long behind me and we will never see a time like then and a duo like these guys ever again, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley.
Ahh...the late Bobby Hatfield! I was 15 yrs old when I watched him sing this beautiful song on the Andy Williams show in 1965. I'm 74 yrs old and I still listen to their CD in my car all the time. My deceased husband and I fell in love with him and his other singing buddy in this group. RIP Bobby! We miss your beautful voice! You own this song. No one sang it like you did!
This song covered by over 670 artists but this is the gold standard. Bobby Hatfield has the incredible range. What else can you say. Sadly Bobby left us in 2003. I was 15 when it came out and never get tired of it. Thank you
I loved the little grin at the end, he knew he nailed it even more than he expected to.
You can understand why young people today are turning back to the days when performers made songs without all of the modern techno we have now. Real music and real singing will always be there and always played. The righteous Brothers were up there with the best of those times. Great video ladies. 👍
My generation had the best music. The music world lost Bobby Hatfield in 2003, just weeks after The Righteous Brothers were inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame. RIP Bobby. Such a great talent. Just a young man, a microphone and pure talent. No auto tunes. Well dress. Wonderful performance.
IMO, the single finest live performance of any song ever recorded...pure gold.
Bobby's mother was in the front row of the audience,....it was his first time performing to her live,.....so he sang the most perfect live recording ever ..... Thank you.
Bobby is in the rock and roll hall of fame. He was 25yrs old at the time and earned the name"blue eyed soul."
We’ll said Michael!
@@generationgapreacts I believe you will hear this song sang again by other singers (even on UA-cam) but for thousands of people nobody can sing it as brilliant as Bobby Hatfield, who sadly is no longer with us now
@@zella417bcarter9 "Unchained Melody" has supposedly over 1,500 recordings by over 600 artists.
Bobby Hatfield was a contra tenor, the rarest of all singing voices. Every note that he demonstrated in this song looked effortless for him because it was, the full range you heard in this song was totally natural for him. Look at his face and his posture: stress free, relaxed, just a smooth flow.
100% natural voice, natural control, natural talent, no computer tricks or enhancements.
Very few vocal artists match him, before or since. One of the acknowledged finest vocal performances of all time, with one of the top ten finest and most romantic songs of all time. There were many covers of this song, from the time it debuted in the little known prison movie “Unchained”, to the modern day. His live performance is still considered the best ever. He took total possession of that song, and made it forever his.
He is truly missed.
I also have a remarkable voice, You could call it contra-Hatfield. It's the polar opposite of his voice; I'm horrid.
@@bbb462cid don’t feel alone. My singing voice has been banned in 26 states, and Texas enacted a law making it an alternative form of capital punishment.
@@johntrench lol
One thing that gets me about this song is how many people swear they have never heard of it... But then, once they actually hear it... Their eyes light up when they realize they actually HAVE heard it, and just did not know it. Obviously, this didn't happen here, but there is still just as much, if not more, of a thrill to watch somebody witness perfection for the first time.
Bobby also was getting over being sick and yet sounded this good. It was an amazing performance. Loved your reaction!
Daughter is fighting back a tear or two. Awesome.
I am 84, and first heard this when it was released. I appreciate this performance now more than then. The young lady’s fighting back tears is my reaction today. Where are the artists today that can create such feelings?
This song was really amazing and released on my birthday December 12th 1965. I have always loved this song.
This was my late parents’ song. I get teary every time. His version is absolutely the best.
This is what singers of yesterday year such as Bobby performed like, whether live or in the studio, it was all talent to sing like he does. If auto-tune was used on this song, it would take away all the emotions that come from the various sounds and techniques that Bobby uses, and it would sound bland or oh-hum. The more people of today get to view, listen and react to singers of yesteryears, they will appreciate how talented they were in those eras.
It was Phil Spector and his wall of sound, auto tune wasn't a thing then.
I definitely appreciate the talent of yesteryears!
@@generationgapreacts The Wall of Sound is how the instruments were used. Why have 1 guitarist and overdubbing several times when you can have 3 or more playing the exact same thing simultaneously. The same for all the other instruments. Each instrument has a different sound and their sounds, I guess, bleed into each other. However, none of that has anything to do with Unchained Melody. Bill Medley produced it for one of their albums. Spector was only interested in hit singles. No one knows why he used it for the B-side of Hung on You. He wasn't a happy camper when Unchained Melody became a huge hit, but he had no problem taking credit for it.
66yr old and I still get chills when i hear it
The best live vocal performance of all time. Nothing comes close.
More than 670 Artist have sung this song, but no one can equal the voice of Bobby Hatfield.
The reason this song is timeless...it belongs to every Military guy, who left his sweetheart
at home from Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and every conflict past and future. It says everything
he wants to tell her and the words breathe life into all who listen.
got to remember this was done LIVE on tv. no redo's nothing but pure talent from singer to band to stage personal
No autotune, no reverb, just the voice of an angel.
Doing it live on televison makes it hard enough, but he was especially wanting to make his parents proud who were in the audience that evening.
This song has been covered by many artists including Elvis, but in my opinion no one has done it better than Bobby Hatfield. This was simply a magical performance.
Ladies, I highly recommend reacting to "Soul & Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers. Bobby's flowing tenor and Bill's thundering baritone make it a musical treat.
Great reaction. Possibly the best live performance ever. Got to hear Tom Jones-"I`ll Never Fall In Love Again" (Live performance) . Daughter will love it!!
Gorgeous gifted man may he RIP! No one other could ever sing this song like him. This was live.
One of a handful of most beautiful songs ever. Brings tears everytime.
The studio version is different but equally as magnificent. That is worth checking out. Was done on one take. The producer in the studio said it was perfection.
The producer was Bill Medley. Bobby wanted to do another take; he said he could do it better and Bill told him no you can't. I think here he showed he could.
You Ladies said it correctly. Flawless! Best live performance by anybody, ever!!
The fact that this song was played in the movie the Ghost gives it so much additional meaning. The song and the movie complement each other perfectly. Thanks for the reaction!
Thank you and we’ll said!
My boyfriend bought me this album when I met him in 1965. I was 15 & he was 18. We got married the next year 1966 💞💞💞. What. 55 years 🤔. Still my song 🥺🥺
We all know this song, but seeing it ... Man, he just kills it. Flawless indeed. Effortless almost. Incredible.
I think this still holds the record for most covered song in modern music history.
Another great duo who really are brothers is the Everly Brothers. Songs like "All I have to do is dream", "wake up little Susie", " Bird Dog" and "Cathy's Clown" just to name a few.
Great suggestions Joseph!
Bill medley and Bobby Hatfield aren't brothers
@@johncavanagh9291 yes that's why I said the other duo "really" are brothers. My mom told me that way back when I was little.
Its great young folks open their eyes to "our" music, its clean, pure, easy to dance to and full of feelings.
So true!
This was known as Blue-eyed Soul back in the day. Bobby had a great range from Tenor to Countertenor (not falsetto, falsetto is breathy and straining). This performance was not only live (on the Andy Williams Show), he had a head cold, his mom and dad were in the audience and had never heard him sing live before and he was worried about getting that top note at the end. Nailed it! That little grin at the end says so much! This song was also used in the movie Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. I tear up every time I hear it, and I've heard it a lot! So nice to see it through your eyes. Makes it even more special. These guys got their name from the Marines (specifically the Black Marines) at El Toro Marine Base in Southern California. After the songs they would yell "That was righteous brothers! And it stuck!
I can’t believe how perfect his performance was while sick AND probably nervous that his parents were in the audience!
“Blue Eyed Soul” was a term created BECAUSE of Bobby. He is the reason the term exists.
He was such an incredibly talented man, a great counter tenor, and cute as a button. The Righteous Brothers were a classy, romantic singing duo, timeless and sang many different genres of songs. They are once in a lifetime.
We’ll said Debra!
If Bobby never sang anything else, this song alone would have immortalize him….and…it did.
I've listened to this song since it came out a thousand times & like you I still get chills. This is considered one of the best live TV performances ever. Great reactions & really enjoy how you really take the song & incredible vocals in. You can't go wrong reacting to any Righteous Brothers songs. Their music library is large from their Moon Glow Record label album to the Verge & MGM record labels. Videos of "Soul and Inspiration" and the Ed Sullivan TV show where they sing "You'll Never Walk Alone" are great. They did solos too like the recordings of Bobby singing "Ebb Tide". "Stay With Me Baby", "Sentimental Reasons". The baritone Bill sings lead on the bluesy "I Wanna Make Love To You" & he has a video from the Playboy After Dark TV show I love that he sings his "Brown Eyed Woman" with the Blossoms singing backup. Bill Medley is still performing at age 82 with a new partner Bucky Heard. Saw them 6 months ago in CA & the auditorium was packed. Bobby sadly died in 2003 shortly after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Blue Eyed Soul Lives On. Enjoy the ride.
ps I'm normally not into the country music genre but I do recommend you hear Chris Stapleton perform "Tennessee Whiskey" live at the Austin City Limits. That's his wife Morgane singing backup with him.
I am a new fan of blue eyed soul! Wow! So happy to hear bill is still performing. How amazing You got to see him live!
This and elvis if I can dream 2 greatest live songs
@@davidchase1439 I'll ck the Elvis's live version out. Thx. I actually am not a big fan of watching Elvis perform although I know some folks still adore him & he does have many good songs out there. So will watch & probably enjoy "If I Can Dream now" just from your recommendation.
Notice those cute little grins of his when he plays with his vocals! He knows exactly what he can do and that he CAN do it when he wants to. He doesn't mind showing of what he can do and enjoying every second of it. It has been said, more babies were conceived to this song than any other song in recorded history!!
Wow I can completely understand why!
He owned that song
Ladies, Many other artists have covered this song doing it justice and with all due respect to them, in my humble opinion Mr. Bobby Hatfield (R.I.P.) absolutely "owns" this song!!! He slayed that live performance too!!! This is a timeless & unmatched masterpiece!!!
So glad you picked the BEST version of this classic.
This song has a very special meaning to us who were going to Vietnam.
It’s a joy watching two pretty ladies enjoying each others company along with good music. Mom was obviously familiar with the song and the artist, but I love the different reactions. Mom remembering a song she knew well and daughter being exposed to a new sound was wonderful to watch. I look forward to the two of you sharing music together.
I absolutely love this song and have listened to at least a dozen or more performers sing it. This has always been my favorite rendition of this beautiful song. God bless and RIP Bobby.
I really love how the younger generations can appreciate 60/70s music. This one was definitely a snuggle up with your boyfriend last dance song ❤️
Bless you both. One of the best reactions I’ve seen of many. I look forward to more from you
Thank you Karen!
This TV performance was in 1965, but the song was "born" for a 1955 prison movie titled "Unchained." You may also listen for it to be played in the movie "Ghost." The imagery of the lyrics can't be beat (well, maybe some of Hank Williams Sr. songs win the top spot) and, as y'all say, the delivery here was without peer. Glad you introduced your Daughter to this music, Mom!
OK. Stop making me tear up. Sheesh, to see your first time reaction to this was emotion filled for me. Thank you! Soul Inspiration is the Righteous Brothers that I recommend you react to. I love you two so much and I'm so happy you decided to do this. Keep being amazing!
Thank you so much Russel! Soul Inspiration will be coming soon. Thanks again for watching and enjoying our videos
In my opinion this is one of the best ever live performances by any artist ever. Its absolutely incredible
Unchained Melody is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. North wrote the
music as a theme for the prison film Unchained (1955). The best - known version of Unchained Melody
was recorded by the duo. The Righteous Brothers in 1965. Elvis Presley (cover version) is also great!
Suggestion: Mariska Veres, Billie Jo Spears, Robert Gordon, Dana Gilliespie and Precious Wilson.
Thanks! For a great reaction video.🙂
I get so moved myself even after having listened to this song at least a hundred times. It is my hubby's and my song, and I played it many times when he served in the Vietnam War. When you teared up, I teared up! STOP THAT! Just teasing. I love that you and your mother can show such emotional connections to the great, iconic performances!! You describe your reactions so articulately- nailing them time after time. Keep on-- I'm with you!
I was 13 when this song was released. Even with a head full of mush, I could tell this song was very special.
No autotune, no nothing~ just pure talent❤️
The background of how they originally came to perform this on an album is interesting. Bill and Bobby would each do one solo number on their albums. They both wanted to do this one; they flipped a coin and Bobby won. Bill played the keyboards and was the producer. After the first take, Bobby said, “Play it again, I can do it better.” Bill answered “No, you can’t.” He knew perfection when he heard it.
Later, when it became popular again due to its inclusion in the film Ghost, there was some licensing problem that prevented them from reissuing the single to capitalize on it. So they just recorded it again! The new version was a hit also.
But with all that said, this live version on the Andy Williams show is the one for the ages. ❤
I recommend every song published by the Righteous Brothers, they are ALL beautiful.
1965 NO Autotune, Pure talent
No need for words, your lovely faces say it all, They don't write beautiful music like this anymore. Written and sung from the heart with feeling. Great channel.
I saw that performance on TV when I was sixteen. Bobby was a natural.
Bobby was a shy person and some people said he had mild stage fright (not sure if that is true or not), but for this performance his mother was in the audience and he was worried that nervousness would affect him. Obviously not.
It was great to see both of your reactions. One heard this for the first time and the other reaction was that of meeting an old friend. The magic comes so clear to the first timer as it does for the ole friend. Many of us first heard this song over the AM radio and then on a black and white TV. Not everyone had a color tv set, heck, not many had TVs. But the magic is still so very there. Like your "Lost that Loving Feeling" reaction--awesome.
Thank you Samuel!
Love to see women's reaction to this video. Bobby totally knocked it out of the park, on this performance.
New subscriber. Love the reaction to this timeless classic. Mom knows already daughter will love it. A sign of a good mom :) Beautiful daughter. Beautiful reaction.
Thank you Victor!
I first heard this song over 50 years ago when I was a wee lad & hundreds of times since, it still gives me chills.
Thanks, kids! Bobby is so awesome.. and he makes it seem easy... you never see him straining or screaming... he just "went there"... lol... (also, his MOM was in the audience that night, so he said he was nervous... I'm sure she was proud!)
Love seeing your reactions, which is why so many of us watch these reaction videos. As you said, it is a flawless LIVE performance of a timeless song. It is so poignant if you know the context. It is about a prisoner who is in great anxiety over whether time has changed his wife's love for him (I'll be coming home, wait for me). It is really moving, bring tears to one's eyes.
FYI, this was sung in a 1955 (I believe) movie about the man's time in prison. The Righteous Brothers, especially Bobby Hatfield, made it very popular. It has been covered hundreds of times by a multitude of artist.
Live on the Andy Williams TV Show. no auto tune here - just pure TALENT. This song sung by Bobby Hatfield (RIP) had all of us ladies melting and felt like he was singing to each one of us. His smooth, 3 octave range was so controlled and clear, with a tone quality unmatched and yet so effortlessly reaching those highest notes that sopranos' would strain to hit! simply amazing. His mom was in the audience - first time to watch him perform . Bill Medley is playing the piano. Your reaction is exactly the same as we ladies experienced back in the day- mesmerized and also tearful, wondering "will a man love me like this"? Left you speechless - as with us. And, regarding your comment after the song: This live version is nearly identical to the recorded version - except he did add some, and they - The Righteous Brothers - were not known for using a lot of "takes" to get it just right in the studio. Now, from among their other top 40 singles, one more is a must: Soul and Inspiration. A verse from each one, but the ending is all Bill - along with the usual harmony between them.
This was a surprising song compared to the last one we reacted to with both voices and their harmonies. They are both incredibly talented vocalists!
It's actually quite different from the studio/record/radio version. This Live performance is vastly superior to those which is sad because most have only heard the versions from the radio/album and Ghost. This performance is much more dynamic and there is far more power...especially towards the end.
One correction 🙂. Bill played piano on the studio recording - this was the Andy Williams orchestra…
I love the reaction on people's faces who watch this performance for the first time.
I love these reactions. The genuine feelings people show towards blue eyed soul is amazing. Especially in this one where BOBBY and Bill flipped a coin to see who would sing it. Bobby’s mom was in the audience. And the fact that Bobby was suffering through a head cold and still nailed it without auto tune. It was live. One shot. The lip bite at the end showed that he knew he hit it. And, yes, that is the way Bobby sang. He did it without looking like he was straining. It was well within his range. Great reaction you two. Do more of them.
Thank you Rob! This song was an instant favorite for me (daughter). His talent is unreal
@@generationgapreacts I've read where Bobby loved this song...and had been singing it for years before this performance...even alone or a capella. I read where he would practice his singing in his high school's boys bathroom because the acoustics gave him feedback he liked (he was President of his '57-'58 high school class). By the way...Bobby and Bill's "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" is amazing too.
Amazing voice. Wonderful song and performance.
Pure talent……. No mixing, no turning, pure …… RIP Bobby
This is so cool! Momma was grooving to music she's listened to before and daughter was stunned.
Bobby and Phil were on a Sunday night variety show called The Andy Williams Show when Bobby recorded this. My family sat and watched the show, as we did most Sundays, and after Bobby finished singing, both of my sisters fell in love with him. It one of my favorite memories from my teenage years. The song is from a 1952(?) movie named Unchained based on a man in prison who write a letter to his sweetheart if she will wait for him.
I can understand why!
*Bill Medley (not Phil )
@@imweakfordeaky you are right, my bad.
👍
I went to the Andy Williams show to see the Osmonds who were on Andy Williams show pretty regular but not on this show. I was so disappointed to not see them until this was sung. Like your sisters fell in love with Bobby who I thought was singing to me.
@@duckducknight I think almost every young lady who watched the show fell in love with him, and thought he was singing to only them. It was many years after this show until this video was shown agin, and a whole new generation of women fell for him. Thank goodness for UA-cam for making this video available again.
Thanks ladies for the wonderful song from the 60ies and the "Righteouse Brother". Best wishes from Hamburg in Germany!
I grew up with this song and it was recorded over 1,500 times by more than 670 Artists from around the World. I haven’t heard most of them but I know Bobby did it best. That little smile at the end was because his Mother was in the audience and he got through it.
Do you ever listen to Australian singers? We have some amazing talent that only we know about like John Farnham. He has one of the best voices in the world and we haven’t found a genre he can’t sing yet. He is always better live. John had number one hit albums in 5 consecutive decades, even Michael Jackson couldn’t push him out of number one and that album stayed at number one for 6 months. If you haven’t heard of him listen to him sing Help, live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and that was his second encore after two hours of using his voice like that. He is called the Voice here. He is kind, funny and very loved. Thank you.
As you say, flawless, just too beautiful for words really, especially the ending
The back story on this song is that it was written by an inmate to his love interest while he was serving time. Lyrics make even more sense given that background.
It was written for the movie "Unchained" which was set in a prison by Alex North and Hy Zaret.
I got to see this live on television in 1965. It is a memory I will always have. I was a junior in high school at the time. Glad you put this one on.
Time now to watch 'Ghost' together, which features Bobby's studio recording of this song. My future song suggestion is Peggy Lee singing Fever. Have fun with all the great music!
Thank you!
I'm so glad you listened to this song. It's one of my favorites. You two a really great and I'm glad to have found you.
Thank you for watching!
Thank you beautiful ladies for a review that does justice to this wonderful performance! I love to watch most any woman who has never heard this recording, experience it for the first time - there is always a moment not too far in, when she absolutely truly realizes deep in her heart, emotionally at least, he is singing to her and to her alone. Bobby's ability to pack his voice with emotion was then, and still is, really unparalleled. As a female vocalist, Angelina Jordan can do the same sort of magic wonders with her singing, but no living male singer can hold a candle to what Bobby did so naturally, effortlessly, and convincingly. Some things about this particular recording are interesting: he apparently was very nervous before the performance (from what I have heard, he was troubled by stage fright all life). Until this performance his mother had never heard him sing professionally, but she was in audience for this, and that apparently made the stage fright even worse. And so he comes out to sing one of the most beautiful iconic love songs and does it perfectly, absolutely perfectly. And at least for that song, at that time (and forever) - He was the best singer ever. Bobby owns this song and always will. And by the look on his face at the end, when bites his lip, it seems like he knew in his heart that he had nailed it!
May his soul be blessed for all the love he sent to everyone.
Got to see them in Las Vegas in the 80's before Bobby passed away. We had 3rd row seats. Absolutely amazing singers.
Another great song and a first class performance.
As you both identified, his vocal performance appeared effortless. He really did appear to be in his comfort zone and made it all look easy (which it probably wasn't!). The mark of a great, great singer.
Another song that will be played hundreds of years from now.
You gals have a great channel, I had the luxury to listen to them and others especially Motown growing up with my father's JukeBox.
Almost 60 Years later and best ever love song is still on my playlist on weddings by request. I have DJ'd for almost 500 weddings over my time and this song still creates a special moment. I believe that this song will be listened to in the future and will reach 100 years or more. Thankyou for your reaction to this song. Well a song I will never play on a wedding but is extremely deep hearted to me personally is James Blunt - Monsters (every time I listen to this song it emotionally breaks me in pieces)
Thank you for watching! We have had a few requests for Monsters... so now I'm very curious and would love to do it soon!
Hope ur both well, Miss yr reactions. Bobby Hatfield was one of the greatest singers ever and this song is one of the greatest songs in music history. I suggest Bobby's Crying in the Chapel and Bill Medleys Yr Previous Love and Brown Eyed Woman with the Blossoms.
Great reaction to this classic song. I'd like to see you react to Olivia Newton John music, since she is such an icon and she just recently passed.