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.
I Can't Make It Alone
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how proud I am
And what I'm gonna tell you now
Won't be easy to say
Before I left your side
Ooh, I was so happy then
But I've been so lonely
Oh, baby
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's something in my soul
That will always (always)
Lead me back to you
What can I say now?
Sorry is just not good enough
I couldn't blame you if you hurt me now
The way I hurt you then
But who else can I turn to?
Oh, baby, I'm begging you
Won't you reach out for my dying soul?
And make me live again
Oh, baby, it's so hard
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's something in my soul (in my soul)
That will always
Lead me back to you
I just can't make it by myself
Just can't make it byself
Baby, help me
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
And I can't make it alone
There's something in my soul (in my soul)
That will always (always)
Lead me back to you
Oh, help me
(Please help me)
You know I need you
(I need you)
I'm saying that I need you
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
I just can't make it all alone
(I just can't make it all alone)
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
The Righteous Brothers’ song “I Can’t Make It Alone” is a sad song about a man who has left his lover and come to realize that he cannot make it on his own. The lyrics express the loneliness and desperation he feels, asking for his lover's help to save him from his own sadness. The singer expresses regret about hurting his lover in the past and acknowledges that saying sorry is not enough. He begs for his lover's forgiveness and asks for help, admitting that he needs her in his life.
The opening lines of the song, “Now you know me, you know how proud I am,” set the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is proud and admitting his dependence on his lover is difficult for him. The song’s lyrics are a blending of sad and hopeful, with the singer admitting his weaknesses and asking for help, yet hopeful that he can return to his lover.
The line, “There's something in my soul that will always lead me back to you,” echoes throughout the song and suggests that there is something deep that connects the two lovers, regardless of their actions. Overall, “I Can’t Make It Alone” is a powerful and emotional song that expresses the complexity of love, regret, and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you know me
I assume that you understand my character by now.
You know how proud I am
You're aware of how satisfied and confident I am.
And what I'm gonna tell you now
Won't be easy to say
Communicating what I'm about to say will be difficult.
Before I left your side
Ooh, I was so happy then
But I've been so lonely
Since I've been away
Oh, baby
I was content in our relationship, but I've been really unhappy since we've been apart.
I've tried and I know I can't make it alone
It's such a hard way to go
I just can't make it alone
There's something in my soul
That will always (always)
Lead me back to you
I've attempted to make it on my own, but I can't handle it alone. There's something internal that pulls me back to you all the time.
What can I say now?
Sorry is just not good enough
I couldn't blame you if you hurt me now
The way I hurt you then
What is there for me to say now? I apologize, but that isn't enough. It would be understandable if you hurt me as much as I hurt you in the past.
But who else can I turn to?
Oh, baby, I'm begging you
Won't you reach out for my dying soul?
And make me live again
Oh, baby, it's so hard
Who else can I go to if not you? I'm pleading with you to come to my aid and resurrect me. Oh, baby, it's incredibly difficult.
I just can't make it by myself
Just can't make it byself
Baby, help me
I cannot handle it alone. Simply can't. Help me, child. Please.
You know I need you
(I need you)
I'm saying that I need you
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
I just can't make it all alone
(I just can't make it all alone)
I just can't make it by myself
(I just can't make it by myself)
I'm informing you that I need you so much. I am completely helpless on my own. I cannot make it on my own, that's just how it is.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind