The originator of the Wall of Sound production technique, Spector was a pioneer of the 1960s girl group sound (The Ronettes and The Crystals a.o.) and produced over twenty-five Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965 alone. After this initial success, Spector later worked with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison, and the Ramones with similar acclaim.
He produced the Beatles' Academy Award-winning album Let It Be, and the Grammy Award-winning Concert for Bangladesh by former Beatle George Harrison. In 1989, Spector was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 1965 song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin', produced and co-written by Spector for The Righteous Brothers, is listed by BMI as the song with the most U.S. airplay in the 20th century.
Dubbed the "First Tycoon of Teen", Spector's records helped engender the role of the studio as an instrument, the integration of pop art aesthetics into music (art pop), and the art rock genre. His multi-artist compilation album "A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records" (1963) is widely considered to be the finest Christmas record of all time. Spector's honors include the 1973 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for co-producing Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh (1971), a 1989 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a 1997 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Spector number 63 on their list of the greatest artists in history.
The 2003 shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home led to his being charged with murder in the second degree. After a 2007 mistrial, he was convicted in 2009 and given a prison sentence of 19 years to life. Spector died in prison due to complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Unchained Melody
Phil Spector Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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, 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
The lyrics of Phil Spector's Unchained Melody express the deep longing and yearning for an absent lover. The singer is confessing his love to his significant other, expressing how much they have hungered for their touch after being separated for a long time. The theme of time is strongly emphasized in the song, as the slow passage of time has become unbearable for the singer, who is desperate to be reunited with their beloved.
The use of imagery also helps convey the sense of loneliness and separation, as the singer mentions "lonely rivers" that flow towards the sea, suggesting an endless and aimless struggle. The repeated lines "Are you still mine?" and "I need your love" showcase the singer's vulnerability and insecurity about the relationship, adding an extra layer of emotional depth to the song. The chorus brings a sense of hope, as the singer asks God to "speed your love" to them, implying that they are willing to wait for their lover's return.
Overall, Unchained Melody is a touching ballad that captures the essence of love and missing someone dearly. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person yearning for their lover's touch, while also showcasing the power of faith and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my love, my darling
The singer is addressing their lover with affection
I've hungered for your touch
The singer has been longing for the physical and emotional connection with their lover
A long, lonely time
The singer has been alone for a substantial period of time
Time goes by so slowly
The artist is expressing that time feels like it is moving at a sluggish pace
And time can do so much
The artist acknowledges time's potential impact on their relationship
Are you still mine?
The singer is unsure if their lover's feelings towards them are still intact
I need your love
The singer is expressing their desire for love and affection from their lover
God speed your love to me
The artist is conveying a hope for divine intervention to bring them their lover's love
Lonely rivers flow
The artist is using a metaphor to describe the isolation they feel
To the sea, to the sea
The rivers are flowing towards something vast and unknown - possibly death or oblivion
To the open arms of the sea
The sea is a metaphor for a welcoming, yet mysterious force that the singer is moving towards
Lonely rivers sigh
The artist is personifying their emotional turmoil as a physical action
"Wait for me, wait for me"
The singer is communicating to their lover to wait for them
I'll be coming home, wait for me
The singer is offering reassurance to their lover that they will return
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, UNCHAINED MELODY PUB LLC
Written by: Alex North, Hy Zaret
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind