The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfie… Read Full Bio ↴The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. They recorded from 1963 through 1975, and continued to perform live until Hatfield's death in 2003. Their emotive vocal stylings were sometimes dubbed "blue-eyed soul."

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.

On This Side Of Goodbye
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've had my taste of independence
Since the day I set you free
Now I don't bear the least resemblance
To the man I used to be

Cause baby things look much different now
On this side of good-bye.
Can't you find it in your heart somehow?

To give our love just one more try

I thought I knew just what I wanted
When I left you standing there
But now each night my soul is haunted
By the dreams we used to share

And baby things look much different now
On this side of good-bye.
Can't you find it in your heart somehow?
To give our love just one more try

I got to find away to make you hear me
I got reach you somehow and make you forgive me
My mistake I've already paid too much my soul
Baby don't make me pay for as long as I live

Baby things look much different now
On this side of good-bye.
Can't you find it in your heart somehow?
To give our love just one more try

Now baby things look so much different now
On this side of good-bye.

Overall Meaning

The song "On This Side of Goodbye" by The Righteous Brothers is about the aftermath of a break-up and the singer's desire to get back with their ex-lover. The lyrics describe how the singer initially thought that becoming independent and leaving their lover was what they wanted but now they realize what they gave up was far more valuable than their independence. They reflect on how their life has changed since the break-up and how they're haunted by the memories of their time together. The singer wants to try and make amends for the mistakes they made, admitting that they've already paid a heavy price due to their actions.

The song is a melancholy reminder of the pain and regret often felt after a relationship ends. The melody and lyrics convey the heartache and longing one feels when reflecting on past relationships. The repetition of the phrase "On this side of goodbye" emphasizes the loss and finality of the break-up, without completely relinquishing the hope for reconciliation.

Line by Line Meaning

I've had my taste of independence
I've experienced being alone and independent.

Since the day I set you free
Since the day I ended our relationship.

Now I don't bear the least resemblance
Now I am completely different.

To the man I used to be
To my former self.

Cause baby things look much different now
My perspective has changed significantly since our breakup.

On this side of good-bye.
Since we said our farewell.

Can't you find it in your heart somehow?
Can't you try to forgive me?

To give our love just one more try
To consider having another chance for our love.

I thought I knew just what I wanted
I was sure of what I wanted then.

When I left you standing there
When I abandoned you.

But now each night my soul is haunted
But now I feel deeply regretful.