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.
My Girl
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooh
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl
I've even got the month of May
With my girl
The lyrics of The Righteous Brothers' song "My Girl" present a joyful expression of love and admiration for the singer's significant other. The opening lines, "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day, when it's cold outside I've got the month of May," describe how the singer's love makes him feel happy and warm even on tough days. It sets up the theme of the song, which is that his girl is the source of all the good things in his life.
Throughout the song, the singer extols his girl's virtues, saying he has more honey than the bees and a sweeter song than the birds in the trees. He believes that nothing else in the world can make him feel as good as she does, and he doesn't need money, fame or anything else because he has her. In every verse, he repeats the question, "What can make me feel this way?" and the answer is always "my girl."
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody are perfectly suited to the lyrics' joyful theme, making it a classic love song that appeals to people of all ages. The Righteous Brothers' 1965 hit has stood the test of time and remains a popular choice for parties, weddings, and other special events.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
I have happiness in even the darkest of situations
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
I have warmth and comfort even in the coldest of times
I guess you'd say
I suppose you could say that
What can make me feel this way?
What could possibly make me feel this good?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
My girlfriend, the love of my life
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I am speaking about my wonderful girlfriend
I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I have an abundance of good things in my life
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
My happiness is even greater than the happiness of nature
Hey hey hey
A joyful exclamation
Ooh
An expression of excitement or pleasure
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I do not require wealth, success, or recognition to be happy
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
I have the greatest treasure of all, the love of my girlfriend
With my girl
Together with my girlfriend
I've even got the month of May
I have the most beautiful and vibrant time of year, which is like being with my girlfriend
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald White, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nelita Sciretta
When Bobby sings you can actually feel the music, it's like a touch. I have never loved music more than when I hear his voice, I'm not just listening to the song, I feel it. My heart hurts that he is gone 😔
UT opian
Beautifully said. It's true. When I was listening as a young person, we could only hear, we never saw them singing, glued to the record cover. Now I can see how much effort and meaning he put into every word in the lyrics. It's unbelievable!
bubhub64
Wow!
Rose Blake
Bobby sounds like a whole church choir by himself. He was a blue eyed angel !!!!!
M. B.
Yes He Was And Will Always Be Unforgettable. May He Rest In Eternal Peace. We Lost A Great Legend But His Songs And His Voice Are The Greatest Memories That He Left Us. 🙏Gone But Not Forgotten. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
G.E. Boroush
His voice just does something to me. It is silk to my ears. Beautiful.
bandity2k
thanks so much for this. Bobby was such an inspiration to me as a young musician. what a voice !! Miss him so much. RIP Bobby. Your music lives forever !!
Nelita Sciretta
Amazing, for me Bobby could take any song and make it his no matter who sang it first or last. Such a talent is so very rare, wish I had met him in person :(
Stephen Lane
Righteous Brothers is where a great bass-baritone Bill Medley meets the legendary tenor Bobby Hatfield, one of the greatest voices ever! See unchained melody 👌
Marie Jo Cantuaria
the voice of an angel, so perfect, so pure...