The Righteous Brothers hit #1 with “Unchained Melo. Menomonee Falls, WI Record Research, Inc. DMDB Encyclopedia entry for The Righteous Brothers. All told, the song can make the unique claim of topping four different charts with five different versions in three different decades. TY In the U.K., Jimmy Young took it to #1. Al Hibbler’s top 10 version also reached the summit of the R&B chart. pop charts, most notably a chart-topper by Les Baxter. Todd Duncan sang it for the film, WK but three other renditions charted on the U.S. The song originated in an obscure prison film called Unchained in 1955. On the AC charts, the 1990 version went #1, while the 1965 version scaled to the top of the U.K. In an unsual occurrence, both versions charted and hit the U.S. A quarter century later, it re-gained airplay thanks to Ghost, but was only commercially available as a single in a newly recorded version. The song first surfaced under the Righteous Brothers moniker in 1965 as a B-side to their single “Hung on You.” When DJs took to “Melody” instead, the song climbed to #4 on the U.S. WK However, the one that has become the best known is the 1965 recording by the Righteous Brothers (although technically a solo performance by Bobby Hatfield). It wasn’t even the first time they’d heard that version.īy some counts, the song has been recorded over 500 times, making it one of the most recorded of the 20th century. #GHOST PATRICK SWAYZE UNCHAINED MELODY MOVIE#
When Bobby Hatfield belted out “Unchained Melody” in that famous scene from the 1990 movie Ghost, it wasn’t the first time the public heard the song. Thanks to Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and a pottery wheel, a bonafide classic was re-introduced to the hearts of radio listeners and record buyers. Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 1.17 UK, 3.24 world (includes US + UK)Īwards: (Click on award for more details). Writer(s): Alex North/Hy Zaret ( see lyrics here)