Unchained Melody
Perry Como Lyrics


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Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time


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



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 comin' home, wait for me



Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time



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

Overall Meaning

Perry Como's song "Unchained Melody" is a love ballad that speaks about the longing and strong desire to be reunited with a loved one after a long period of separation. The song begins with the singer expressing how much they have missed their beloved and how much they have longed for their touch. The opening line "Oh, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch," highlights this intense yearning. The singer then reflects on the passing of time, and how it has felt incredibly slow and has made them realize how much they need their lover. It is clear that despite the separation, the singer is still head over heels in love and wants to know if their partner feels the same way.


The lyrics also incorporate natural imagery like rivers flowing to the sea, symbolizing the journey and plight of a person away from their loved one. The lines "Lonely rivers flow, to the sea, to the sea, to the open arms of the sea" depict the journey of the singer to their loved one. The song ends with the singer begging for their love to be delivered quickly.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, my love, my darling
Addressing and describing the singer’s beloved


I’ve hungered for your touch
Expressing longing for physical intimacy


A long, lonely time
Describing the duration of the singer’s loneliness


Time goes by so slowly
Commenting on the perceived slowness of time without the beloved


And time can do so much
Acknowledging the power of time to affect feelings and relationships


Are you still mine?
Expressing insecurity and seeking affirmation of the relationship status


I need your love
Stating the need for love and affection


God speed your love to me
Requesting or praying for the arrival of the beloved's love


Lonely rivers flow
Describing a natural phenomenon symbolizing loneliness


To the sea, to the sea
Specifying the destination of the lonely rivers


To the open arms of the sea
Personifying the sea as a welcoming entity


Lonely rivers sigh
Describing a natural phenomenon symbolizing sadness


Wait for me, wait for me
Making a promise of return and asking for patience


I’ll be comin’ home, wait for me
Restating the promise to come home to the beloved and asking for further patience




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, UNCHAINED MELODY PUB LLC
Written by: Alex North, Hyman Zaret

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Geraldine Nathan

Perry Como sang it beautifully, and with sincerity and simplicity.
The Righteous Brothers sang it with great passion and love. To
call it overwrought noodling that obscured the melody is very
insensitive, as it was in fact a brilliant interpretation. This song
was written by a man called Zagat while in his early teens.
It was played more times than any other song in the 20th
century. Most of those times it was sung by The Righteous
Brothers and Elvis Presley. The fact that it was that popular
proves it was not some noodling or trivial babbling. In the
world of popular music it was nothing less than a masterpiece.



All comments from YouTube:

Josie Schulz

I love his voice and very relax hearing all his songs my favorite singer miss him a lot and thanks for posting RIP Perry Como ❤🙏😇👍🌹

Elena Zhdanova

Волшебная нежность !!! Любовь - скромное слово для чувств ,которые вызывает этот ГОЛОС !!!))

Paula Martins

Oh my God, he has such a sweet voice. I can listen to this man sing for hours. I'm in love with this voice 😍

YTSTO

I love all old-fashioned voices.

Irene Mccann

A great singer always sounds great, even when they are not their official song’s and that definitely applies to the great Perry Como. Wonderful.

Eleglas

I suggested this song for my grandma's funeral, my mum couldn't stop crying after hearing it both then and at the funeral later.

Ala Arnan

What a golden voice, soothing & relaxing to the heart. love all his songs...

William Hamilton

We listen to Perry almost every morning. very soothing.

Louise Anne Blais

I've always loved Perry Como's voice, so soft and gentle, rest in peace Perry

Peter Brownlee

He was the most relaxed crooner of all time. A gentleman... Not many left..
I never missed his TVshow.

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