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.
Soul And Inspiration
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let you walk away
Girl, how can I live through this
When you're all I wake up for each day?
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
I never had much goin'
But at least I had you
How can you walk out knowin'
I ain't got nothin' left if you do?
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
Without you baby, what good am I, oh, what good am I?
Baby, I can't make it without 'cha
And I'm, I'm tellin' ya, honey
You're my reason for laughin', for cryin', for livin', and for dyin'
Baby, I can't make it without you
Please, I'm begging you baby
If you go it will kill me
I swear it, dear, my love can't bear it
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're all I've got to get me by
You're my soul and my heart's inspiration
Without you baby, what good am I, what good am I?
Mm, mm
Mm
The song "Soul And Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers is a heartwarming ode to the deep love and emotional connection between two people. The lyrics describe a man who is pleading with his lover not to leave him, as she is all he wakes up for each day and his soul and heart's inspiration. He acknowledges that he never had much going on in his life, but having her by his side gave him purpose and joy. He confesses that he can't make it without her and she is the reason for his laughter, tears, and even his will to live.
The song is a powerful depiction of the emotions that come with loving someone deeply and being afraid of losing them. The pleading and heartwarming tone of the lyrics are matched by the soulful and emotional delivery of the vocals, making it a touching and unforgettable ballad.
Overall, "Soul And Inspiration" is a beautiful song that captures the essence of deep and meaningful love, and the pain that comes with the possibility of losing it. It is a testament to the power of love and the depth of emotions that can be expressed through music.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, I can't let you do this
I can't allow you to leave me.
Let you walk away
I can't let you leave me.
Girl, how can I live through this
I can't survive without you.
When you're all I wake up for each day?
I wake up every day only because of you.
Baby, you're my soul and my heart's inspiration
You're the reason why my soul and heart are inspired.
You're all I've got to get me by
You're the only thing that keeps me going.
Without you baby, what good am I?
I'm nothing without you.
I never had much goin'
My life wasn't great.
But at least I had you
But you were always there for me.
How can you walk out knowin'
How can you leave me knowing that
I ain't got nothin' left if you do?
I'll have nothing left if you're gone.
Baby, I can't make it without 'cha
I can't live without you.
And I'm, I'm tellin' ya, honey
And I'm telling you, my dear.
You're my reason for laughin', for cryin', for livin', and for dyin'
You're the reason for everything I do.
Please, I'm begging you baby
I'm begging you.
If you go it will kill me
If you leave, I will die inside.
I swear it, dear, my love can't bear it
I promise you, my love can't take it.
Without you baby, what good am I, what good am I?
I'm nothing without you.
Mm, mm
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TrevorGrismore
I grew up on the Righteous Brothers. Even though I was born in 1996, my musical taste has always been primarily 50s-80s. As a young child, I listened to Indianapolis’s GOLD 104.5, which played the oldies until I was about 8. Afterward, I had records, CDs, and digital music to get me by.
In 2023, the Righteous Brothers (as Bill Medley and Bucky Heard) came to town. I went to see them with my aunt and grandpa, and though you might think my grandpa and aunt were more interested in seeing the show due to the age gap, I was the most excited by far. It wasn’t even close. It was on my bucket list. If it weren’t for me, my grandpa and aunt wouldn’t have had any interest in going. I wanted to go, and we went.
I had never heard Bucky Heard, and Bill Medley was 83. I knew that going on, but was hopeful the show would be great. I wanted to go anyway, but I knew there was a good possibility that the concert wouldn’t be what I expected or what I was used to hearing. Like I said, Bill Medley was 83, and it Bucky Heard had huge shoes to fill singing Bobby Hatfield’s parts. I went in with an open mind.
Bucky Heard was fantastic. He had big shoes to fill, and he filled them as best as one artist can do. He wasn’t Bobby Hatfield (who could be?), but he was great, and I wasn’t going to hold it against him if he didn’t sound like Bobby Hatfield. Still, he was incredible .I don’t know anyone else who could have filled Bobby Hatfield’s shoes. Buddy was a great, fantastic alternate. I don’t want to downplay him at all. If I hadn’t grown up listening to Bobby Hatfield, I wouldn’t know the difference.
Bucky Heard was only secondary. As great as he was, there was him, and then there was Bill Medley. He sang well for the first few songs. Those songs were the Righteous Brothers minor hits. The 3rd or 4th song into the set, they went into “You’re My Soul and Inspiration”.
I wasn’t sure what I would hear. I expected a stereotypical 83 year old Bill Medley singing the low parts. I was so wrong.
Bill Medley sang with such power and accuracy, I couldn’t believe it. When he sang the end of the second refrain “Without you baby, what good am I? Oh, what good am I?” I had tears in my eyes. My grandpa gets tears in his eyes thinking of my grandma (who died in April 2023). My aunt gets tears in her eyes thinking about my mom (who died in December 2008) I only have tears from the musical style and singing alone, and this song made me tear up. I was an emotional wreck hearing Bill Medley. I couldn’t believe the power and accuracy he had.
The concert was great, but this song was one in a million. I go to shows all the time, and I’ve seen probably 250 shows before this concert. This was one of the best of all time. Of my best concerts, I’d put Billy Joel and Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Bill Medley at the top in no particular order.
I couldn’t believe what I heard when Bill Medley sang, especially this song. It was like hearing angels sing from up above down on me. It’s been a week or two since I went to the show, and I’m still at a loss for words. I still hear those songs and get thrown back to my childhood. To say that it was incredible would be an understatement. I could live 1,000 years and see 100 shows a year, and hearing Bill Medley sing these songs and hit those low notes so perfectly would still be one of the top highlights of my life.
@ojivey8273
This is what REAL music sounded like. No foul language, no obscene gestures or lyrics, no gimmicks or vocal enhancements...just two angelic, and melodic voices, overflowing with raw talent, coupled with Phil Specter's dynamic "wall of sound", forming a perfect blend of rhythm and blues and gospel.....giving us an awesome style called "blue eyed soul". Can I get an AMEN?
@tkilburn34
I completely agree, pure artistry!
@tonysmmaclass9507
Absoeffinlutely!! 😆 I love this song gives me chills
@TerryJNelson
Actually, this song was produced by Bill Medley. In this video I was hesitant to leave in picture slide #12 as it incorrectly lists Phil Spector as the producer but left it in for prosperity. Regardless, this production certainly has that Spine Tingly Beautiful Wall of Sound!
@ojivey8273
@TerryJNelson I never knew that Thanks!!!!
@Proverbs3-
AMEN! And credit to the wonderful RBB Choir arrangement by Mac Huff.
@gloriabush9499
This takes me back to my childhood. My brother was 10 yrs older and he would listen to the righteous brothers over and over. Then at 21 he joined the USMC Went to Vietnam and never made it back. I can see him hear him and feel his presence as back then when I hear this.
@PushpikaWanasundara
Your brother rests easy. <3
@deborahhays9092
Oh so sorry for your loss, I know it must still hurt to this day…..
@h.calvert3165
I'm so sorry. I'm your age, I think, with an older sister the same age as your brother. Our dad was in the Royal Canadian Air Force, & she dated a lot of great young GI's who were stationed on our various bases. Wonderful boys, always so nice to little sister me, & real gentlemen to our mom. I feel your loss, I really do. 😔