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.
Since I Fell For You
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better let love depart
I know it's so and yet I know
I can't get you out of my heart
You make me leave my happy home
You took my love and now you're gone
(You're gone, move on)
Love brings such misery and pain
I know I'll never be the same
(You're gone, move on)
Since I fell for you
It's too bad and it's too sad but I'm in love with you
You love me then you snub me
Oh, what can I do? I'm still in love with you
I guess I'll never see the light
I get the blues most every night
(You're gone, move on)
Since I fell for you
Since I fell in love with you
Fell for you
The Righteous Brothers's song "Since I Fell For You" is a soulful depiction of the agony of unrequited love. The opening lyrics "When you just give love and never get love, you better let love depart" suggest that the singer is unable to reciprocate their feelings toward someone who doesn't love them back. This pain is further heightened by the admission that although they know it's best to move on, they can't seem to get this person out of their heart.
The second verse is even more melancholic, stating that since falling for this person, it has made the singer "leave [their] happy home" - suggesting that the rejection has caused them to abandon the aspects of their life that brought joy. The lyrics also convey feelings of loss and abandonment, with the line "you took my love and now you're gone" serving as a powerful statement of the emotional toll unreciprocated love can have.
The final verse emphasizes the futility of the situation, with the singer noting how it is all "too bad and too sad" that they are still in love with someone who snubs them. They end the song by admitting that they'll "never see the light" and constantly feel blue since falling for this person. Overall, the lyrics of "Since I Fell For You" are poignant and moving, illustrating the pain that comes with unrequited affection.
Line by Line Meaning
When you just give love and never get love
If you love someone who doesn't love you back, it's better to let them go.
You better let love depart
You should end the relationship if you are the only one giving love.
I know it's so and yet I know
Even though I know I should let go, I still can't help but love you.
I can't get you out of my heart
Despite the pain you caused me, I still love you deeply.
You make me leave my happy home
You are the reason that I am no longer happy in my own space.
You took my love and now you're gone
You are the one who caused me to fall in love, but now you are not here with me anymore.
(You're gone, move on)
Even though you are gone, I need to move on from this situation.
Love brings such misery and pain
Love can cause a lot of pain and suffering, not always happiness.
I know I'll never be the same
The love I had for you has changed me forever, and I can never go back to how I was before.
It's too bad and it's too sad but I'm in love with you
This situation is unfortunate, but I cannot change the fact that I still love you.
You love me then you snub me
You show me affection, but then you reject me.
Oh, what can I do? I'm still in love with you
I am caught in a difficult position, as I cannot help how I feel.
I guess I'll never see the light
I am trapped in this darkness of heartbreak and cannot find a way out of it.
I get the blues most every night
I feel very sad and depressed most evenings.
Since I fell for you
All of this heartbreak and suffering has been caused by my love for you.
Since I fell in love with you
Everything changed for me when I fell in love with you.
Fell for you
My heart became captured by you, and now I am struggling to move on from the pain of that love.
Contributed by Carson N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Don Upton
Bobby can sing anything and most of the time he's sings it better than the original
Deborah Ferguson
Bobby does a nice job with this. Well, he always does. Such an amazing voice. Thank you for posting this, I’d never heard it before. So smooth!
Beth Piercy
Good grief! What a wonderful rendition! Love it Bobby Hatfield.
Jim Farrell
Beautiful !! No surprise there as Bobby Hatfield can sing any song and make it his own. What a great talent !! Cathy
gibsongirl2100
So true!
rdegroot72
WOW. ..this is the first time I've heard Bobby sing this..just Beautiful !💕💕
Nelita Sciretta
No one will ever be able to melt your heart and make your heartache at the same time, like Bobby! Absolutely beautiful, no one better ever!!
dawna berry
Bobby was real. There was nothing phony about him. I want his music played at my memorial.
Selene
@dawna berry That's a beautiful tribute to Bobby.
Nancy Tague
One of his finest recordings, I think. So grateful to have found it here on YouTube.