In 1955, North used the music as a theme for the prison film Unchained, hence the name. Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack.[2] Les Baxter (Capitol Records catalog number 3055), released an instrumental version which reached #2. Then song recordings were released by Al Hibbler (Decca Records #29441) reaching #3 on the Billboard charts, Jimmy Young which hit #1 in the United Kingdom, and Roy Hamilton (Epic Records no. 9102) reaching #1 on the R&B Best Sellers list and #6 on the pop chart.[3] Hundreds of other recordings followed.
The song regained popularity when another version was produced by Phil Spector in 1965, credited to the Righteous Brothers, but performed as a solo by Bobby Hatfield, who later recorded versions credited solely to him. It climbed to number four.
It was the July 1965 version by The Righteous Brothers that became a jukebox standard for the late 20th century, regaining massive popularity when used in the 1990 blockbuster film Ghost.
Unchained Melody
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea, yeah
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home, wait for me
Woah, my love, my darling
I've hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
In The Righteous Brother's song, "Unchained Melody," we hear a love song that longs for reconnection. The opening lyrics, "Woah, my love, my darling, I've hungered for your touch, a long, lonely time" immediately conveys the depth of the singer's emotions. He's been away from his love for a while and he can feel the time passing by slowly. He's pining for her love and reassurance that she's still his. The repetition of "I need your love, I need your love" emphasizes how intense his desire for her really is.
The chorus contains some metaphoric language as the singer speaks of "lonely rivers flowing to the sea" which represents the separation between the two lovers. But there's hope as the "open arms of the sea" represents the reunion and the homecoming that's expected. The line "wait for me" has a double meaning here, not only is it a plea for the singer's love to wait for him to return, but it's also a promise that he will be back.
Line by Line Meaning
Woah, my love, my darling
The singer expresses deep love and affection for their partner.
I've hungered for your touch
The singer has been longing for physical and emotional connection with their partner.
A long, lonely time
The singer has been alone for a prolonged period of time and missed their partner's presence.
And time goes by so slowly
The singer feels time is passing too slowly because they are not with their partner.
And time can do so much
The singer recognizes that time can bring about significant changes and affect relationships.
Are you still mine?
The singer questions if their partner still loves and belongs to them.
I need your love
The singer acknowledges their need for love and affection from their partner.
God speed your love to me
The singer is expressing a prayer-like sentiment for their partner's love to reach them quickly.
Lonely rivers flow
The singer describes the emotional state of feeling lonely like a river that flows endlessly and aimlessly.
To the sea, to the sea
The river flows in the direction of the sea, which symbolizes a place of refuge and comfort.
To the open arms of the sea, yeah
The singer envisions the sea as a loving entity with open arms awaiting their arrival.
Lonely rivers sigh
The river produces a sound similar to sighing, reflecting the singer's melancholic state.
"Wait for me, wait for me"
The singer is pleading to their partner to wait for them to come back home.
I'll be coming home, wait for me
The singer is promising to return home to their partner.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, UNCHAINED MELODY PUB LLC
Written by: Alex North, Hyman Zaret
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind