Search icon

Music

27th Feb 2015

JOE’s Classic Song of the Day: The Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling

Vintage stuff this

Eric Lalor

Vintage stuff this.

Artist, album and year: The Righteous Brothers, 1964

Why is it a classic? : When BMI music publishing stated that this song was the most played song on American radio and television in the 20th century, you realise it can’t be a bad song.

When you listen to it, it becomes apparent that this is a song of stature, beauty and timeless perfection. Written and produced by producer Phil Spector using the legendary ‘Wall of Sound’ technique, it was the Righteous Brothers’ first single and made them global superstars.

Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield were the Righteous Brothers and although new to the music business, Spector was quick to realise the power of their vocals. He  successfully managed the marriage of Medley’s deep resonating voice with Hatfield’s higher, pitch perfect harmonies and created a thing of rare beauty.

It has been covered by other artists, but none matched the success of the Righteous Brothers and it’s no surprise. A hugely popular choice in the world of karaoke too, it’s a song which has never gone away and like all great classic songs, it sounds as good today as it ever did.

It was number 1 in the US and also many parts of the world and indeed has charted several times through the decades such is its appeal. It featured on the soundtrack of 80s cult film, Top Gun and a new generation fell in love with it.

Did You Know? Cher sang backing vocals on this song. She worked for Spector as a session singer in his studio and featured on this record.

The lyrical hook: “You’ve lost that loving feeling, woah that loving feeling, you’ve lost that loving feeling now it’s gone, gone, gone…..woah oh oh…”

http://youtu.be/0jlKcpE3j-U