Written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, the song is one of the foremost examples of producer Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" technique. Recorded in Studio A of the famed Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles, it features lead vocals by Bill Medley.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Medley recalled, "We had no idea if it would be a hit. It was too slow, too long, and right in the middle of The Beatles and the British Invasion." Indeed, the song ran for nearly four minutes when released. This was much too long by contemporary AM standards, but Spector refused to cut it shorter. On the label where the time is indicated, he had "3:05" printed, instead of the track's actual running time of 3:45. He also added a false ending. Upon being played the finished record over the phone, co-writer Barry Mann told Spector, “Phil, you have it on the wrong speed!”
By mid-February 1965, "Lovin' Feelin'" was No. 1 in both the US and the UK. It the only song to enter the UK Top 10 three different times -- first with the initial charting in 1965, and again when it was re-released in 1969 and 1990. The song was #34 on the list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.
In a scene from the 1986 action thriller movie Top Gun, Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards infamously sing the song in an attempt to win the affection of their female superior, played by Kelly McGillis.
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
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And there's no tenderness like before in your fingertips
You're trying hard not to show it
But baby, baby I know it
You lost that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
You lost that lovin' feelin'
Now there's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you
And now you're starting to criticize little things I do
It makes me just feel like crying
'Cause baby, something beautiful's dyin'
You lost that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
You lost that lovin' feelin'
Now it's gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh
Baby, baby, I'd get down on my knees for you
If you would only love me like you used to do, yeah
We had a love, a love, a love you don't find everyday
So don't, don't, don't, don't let it slip away
Baby, baby, baby, baby
I beg you please, please, please, please
I need your love, need your love
I need your love, I need your love
So bring it on back, so bring it on back
Bring it on back, bring it on back
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
And I can't go on, whoa-oh
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
The Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is a classic song about the loss of love and the desperation to bring it back. The song conveys a sense of sadness and longing through its lyrics, which tell the story of a couple whose love has diminished over time. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, as the singer sings about how his partner no longer displays the tenderness they once did. He acknowledges that his partner is trying to conceal their feelings, but he knows that their love has been lost.
As the chorus kicks in, the singer laments the loss of his partner's love, repeating the phrase "that lovin' feelin'" three times in a row, driving home the message that their love is gone. The second verse continues the narrative, highlighting the fact that his partner no longer welcomes his advances, and even criticizes him for small faults. The singer feels like he is losing something beautiful, and he can only cry his heart out as he sees their love slip away.
In the bridge, the singer makes a plea to his partner, begging her to bring back the love they once shared. He is willing to do anything, including getting down on his knees, to receive the love she gave him before. The final lines of the song repeat the message that their love is gone and it is a devastating loss that he cannot bear.
Line by Line Meaning
You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips
You no longer feel the same love and passion as you once did when I kiss you.
And there's no tenderness like before in your fingertips
There is a lack of emotional connection and warmth that you used to show through your touch.
You're trying hard not to show it
You are consciously hiding your lack of love and feelings towards me.
But baby, baby I know it
However, I can sense that something has changed between us.
You lost that lovin' feelin'
You have lost the love that we used to share.
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
The chemistry and passion we had in our relationship is now gone.
Now there's no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for you
You no longer show any excitement or happiness when I try to be close to you.
And now you're starting to criticize little things I do
You are now more critical towards me about things that never bothered you before.
It makes me just feel like crying
All these signs point towards our love dying out, and it hurts me deeply.
'Cause baby, something beautiful's dyin'
Our once-beautiful love is slowly dying out, and it's evident in the way you're behaving towards me.
Baby, baby, I'd get down on my knees for you
I want to do anything and everything to make this work and bring back the love we once had.
If you would only love me like you used to do, yeah
I want you to love me with the same passion and intensity that you did before.
We had a love, a love, a love you don't find every day
Our love was special and rare, something that is hard to find these days.
So don't, don't, don't, don't let it slip away
Please don't let our love slip away and disappear completely.
I need your love, need your love
I need your love and affection to be able to continue this relationship.
So bring it on back, bring it on back
Please bring back the love that we had and make things right again.
And I can't go on, whoa-oh
If we can't find our way back to love, I can't continue and pretend everything is okay.
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Please bring back the passion and love that we once had between us.
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone
The love that we shared is no longer evident in our relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Philip Spector
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind