They adopted their name in 1962 while performing together around Los Angeles, USA as part of a five-member group called The Paramours, which featured John Wimber (who was much later one of the founders of the Vineyard Movement) on keyboards.
Hatfield and Medley both possessed exceptional vocal talent, with range, control, and tone that helped them create a strong and distinct duet sound (and perform as soloists). Medley sang the low parts with his deep, soulful baritone, with Hatfield taking the higher register vocals with his soaring tenor. They gained their name when an African-American Marine shouted out "That was righteous, brothers" at the end of a show. John Wimber, one of the founding leaders of the Vineyard Movement, played the keyboard in the band.
Their first major hit single was "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" in 1965. Produced by Phil Spector, the record is often cited as one of the peak expressions of Spector's Wall of Sound production techniques. It was one of the most successful pop singles of its time, despite exceeding the standard length for radio play. Indeed, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" remains the most played song in radio history, estimated to have been broadcast over 8 million times to date. A little known fact about this song was that Spector utilized Sonny and Cher as back-up singers.
They had several other Spector-produced hit singles during the 1960s, including "Ebb Tide" and "Unchained Melody" in 1965 and "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" in 1966.
Soul and Inspiration was produced by Bill Medley for Verve Records. Phil Spector was not involved with this recording in any way, shape or form. Also, although it is credited to Phil Spector, Bill Medley produced "Unchained Melody". Medley produced the B-Side for the singles and Spector handled the production work on the A-Side. The A-Side for "Unchained Melody" was the single "Hung on You" produced by Phil Spector although it was the B-Side that ended up being the hit.
All the Way
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years, come what may
Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
All the way
The Righteous Brothers's song "All The Way" is a love song that expresses the depth and intensity of real love. The lyrics are straightforward, delivered in a slow, deliberate pace that emphasizes each word. The song recognizes that love is more than a surface emotion or fleeting feeling, but rather a profound and all-consuming force. The opening lines make a strong statement about the nature of love: "When somebody loves you, it's no good unless he loves you, all the way." This suggests that half-hearted affection or dedication is not enough to sustain a relationship.
The song's imagery reinforces the profound nature of love, using powerful metaphors to express its depth. For example, the line "Taller than the tallest tree is, that's how it's got to feel" suggests that love should loom large in one's life, reaching higher than any other commitment or priority. The line "Deeper than the deep blue sea is, that's how deep it goes, if it's real" suggests that love is not just a surface emotion, but rather a boundless ocean that can never be fully explored. The song draws a sharp contrast between real and superficial love, suggesting that only true love can survive the ups and downs of life. The closing lines reiterate this sentiment, promising a love that will endure "through the good or lean years, and for all the in-between years, come what may."
Line by Line Meaning
When somebody loves you
Someone's love for you doesn't count much, unless it's an all-inclusive and unconditional kind of love
It's no good unless he loves you, all the way
Half-hearted love is no good, only a full-blown kind of love is worth it
Happy to be near you
Being around you is blissful and joyous
When you need someone to cheer you, all the way
I'll be there to cheer you up in your troubled times, steadfastly and lovingly
Taller than the tallest tree is
Real love should be towering and all-encompassing
That's how it's got to feel
It's not just shallow words, it's a feeling deep and immense
Deeper than the deep blue see is
Love ought to be profound and boundless, like the depths of the ocean
That's how deep it goes, if its real
If love is authentic, it should penetrate deep into our innermost being
When somebody needs you
If someone genuinely needs you, it means a lot more than just wanting or liking you
It's no good unless he needs you, all the way
A half-hearted kind of need is no good, love needs to be all-encompassing
Through the good or lean years
Through thick and thin, for better or for worse
And for all the in between years, come what may
No matter what life throws at us, I'll always be there for you
Who knows where the road will lead us
The future is uncertain, we don't know what lies ahead
Only a fool would say
It's impossible to predict the future, nobody knows for sure what's going to happen next
But if you'll let me love you
If you give me a chance to love you like I want to, the rest will fall into place
It's for sure I'm gonna love you, all the way
I promise you that if you let me, I'll love you with everything I've got
All the way
Through thick and thin, come what may
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patricia Labbe
Wasn't surprised it was Bill because I have him doing it on a Greatest Hits album. Also That's All and Country Boy, and others. Soft and soulful. And for a fun song listen to him doing a jived up version of My Darling Clementine on the same album.
Marie Ross
I wa expecting to hear Bobby Hatfield to do this. Very p,eased and excited that its Bill Medley!
tessa hainey
it would have been more soulful and romantic if it had been Bobby, though. I like them singing together, but Bill's voice is a bit rough to my ears.
ManBear Deezul
Very Amazing
Nelita Sciretta
Wish it had been Bobby :(