Unchained Melody
A. North Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
God speed your love to me!
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me!
Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
The lyrics to A. North's song "Unchained Melody" are a poignant remembrance of a love that has been separated for a long time. The opening lines express the longing and hunger for the touch of a loved one that has been felt for a long and lonely time. The next few lines convey the feeling that time seems to move very slowly and that it has the power to do so much, including changing the nature of relationships.
In the chorus, the singer expresses a deep desire and need for the love of the one they miss. The lines "God speed your love to me" are a plea for the universe to bring their love back to their life. The following lines compare the singer's longing to the free-flowing movement of rivers that invariably find their way to the sea. The words "wait for me" evoke the promise that no matter the distance or time that has passed, they will make their way back home to their loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my love, my darling
The singer is addressing their beloved with affection.
I've hungered for your touch
The singer has been longing for physical intimacy with their partner.
A long, lonely time
The singer has been alone for an extended period of time and is yearning for companionship.
And time goes by so slowly
The passage of time seems to drag on when the singer is without their partner.
And time can do so much
Time can either heal wounds or deepen the singer's yearning for their partner.
Are you still mine?
The singer is unsure if their partner still belongs to them.
I need your love
The singer needs emotional and physical love from their partner.
God speed your love to me!
The singer is desperately wishing for their partner's love to reach them quickly.
Lonely rivers flow
Nature serves to amplify the singer's loneliness.
To the sea, to the sea
The rivers are headed towards the ocean.
To the open arms of the sea
The singer envisions the sea as a welcoming embrace for the lonely rivers.
Lonely rivers sigh
The rivers appear to be lamenting their loneliness.
"Wait for me, wait for me"
The rivers are begging for someone to wait for them.
I'll be coming home, wait for me!
The singer promises to return home and is pleading with their partner to wait for them.
Contributed by Jack F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Goodyer
I don't know whatever inspired Alex North to write this piece, but in my mind its one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed. Whist over 1000 covers of this composition exist listening to it in its raw instrumental form, especially by such a distinguished orchestra is pure pleasure. Thanks for posting - lovely images as well.
Joe Micalizzi
He didn't write it, he did an excellent job of covering it. Look up "Unchained Melody" by the Rightous Brothers.
IMF's Resident Otaku
@Joe Micalizzi He did write the song, with lyrics by Hy Zaret, for the 1955 prison film Unchained, for which Todd Duncan sang the vocals. The Righteous Brothers version is a cover, released a decade later.
Keith Goodyer
@Joe Micalizzi I have no idea how the above post happened, I certainly didn't. Even 3 years ago, I know nothing about music. - Very Odd.
Mich S
You are musical genius
Keith Goodyer
Same here I never posted the original message
crazyriders83
Wow. You know a song is special when it can make someone cry in any language.
Golf Hacker
I don't need to comment now!
Paul Webb
This is exactly the version I was looking for. Absolutely amazing piece of music
C L
I got goosebumps all over my body as soon as this beautiful piece of music started