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.
You Can Have Her
The Righteous Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She didn't love me anyway
She only wanted someone to play with
But all I wanted was a love to stay
The girl I loved, she up and left me
She ran away with my best friend
She comes home at night a just one full hour
You can have her, I don't want her
She didn't love me anyway
She only wanted someone to play with
But all I wanted was a love to stay
Life without love is mighty empty yeah, but confession
Do ya know, do ya know confession good for your soul, baby?
I'd rather have love that I can cling to
Than I had the world and all of its gold
You can have her, I don't want her
She didn't love me anyway
She only wanted someone to play with
But all I wanted was a love to stay
You can have her, I don't want her
She didn't love me anyway
The lyrics of The Righteous Brothers’ You Can Have Her tell the story of a man who has been left by the woman he loves. He is telling another person that they can have her because she did not truly love him and only wanted someone to play with. The man had been hoping for a real relationship, but the woman left him for his best friend. She would return home at night for only an hour and then disappear again in the morning. The man realizes that life without love is empty, but he would rather have a love he can cling to than all of the world’s gold.
The lyrics of this song depict a common theme in love songs – heartbreak. The man is hurting after being betrayed by the woman he loves and questions the depth of her love for him. He sees himself as being used for her benefit only. The lyrics also highlight the importance of love in one’s life, and how it is more valuable than any material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
You can have her, I don't want her
The singer is telling someone that they are welcome to the girl he was with.
She didn't love me anyway
The girl did not have feelings for the singer.
She only wanted someone to play with
The girl was only interested in a casual relationship.
But all I wanted was a love to stay
The singer was looking for a committed and lasting relationship.
The girl I loved, she up and left me
The singer's love interest left him abruptly.
She ran away with my best friend
The singer's friend is now in a relationship with the girl he loved.
She comes home at night a just one full hour
The girl only spends a short time at home before leaving again.
When daylight comes, oh no, she's a gone again
The girl leaves before the sun comes up.
Life without love is mighty empty yeah, but confession
The singer acknowledges that life is not fulfilling without love.
Do ya know, do ya know confession good for your soul, baby?
The singer believes in the cleansing power of confession.
I'd rather have love that I can cling to
The singer would prefer a stable and committed love.
Than I had the world and all of its gold
The singer values love more than material possessions.
You can have her, I don't want her
The singer reiterates that the girl is no longer wanted by him.
She didn't love me anyway
The singer emphasizes that the girl did not have feelings for him.
She only wanted someone to play with
The girl was not interested in a serious relationship.
But all I wanted was a love to stay
The singer desired a lasting love.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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