It’s a strange Saturday here in Tucson, as we had sleet and a bit of snow today, even though it was 87 degrees a few days ago. However, weather doesn’t affect Saturday Night Genealogy Fun and it’s time for this week’s challenge from Randy Seaver:
1) What is your all-time favorite song? Yep, number 1. It’s hard to choose sometimes. If you made your favorite all-time Top 40 music selections, what would be #1?
2. Tell us about it. Why is it a favorite? Do you have special memories attached to this song?
Musical taste is a funny thing. I’ve found that songs I most enjoy listening to have changed through the years. I loved the British Invasion groups of the 1960s, the Beach Boys, the Shirelles and the Supremes and I still enjoy their music.
However, today, I’d have to say my #1 all-time favorite song would probably have made my Top 20 back in the 60s, but nowhere near the top of the list.
It’s Unchained Melody, by the Righteous Brothers. It’s not because it’s been in movie soundtracks (I guess it was in Ghost?). It doesn’t even bring back any special memories for me. I was barely in my teens when the song came out.
Bill Medley and Bobby had fabulous voices that complemented their harmonies so well. and I liked all of their songs.
However, Unchained Melody was a solo and Bobby Hatfield OWNED that song. There were earlier recordings by others like Al Hibbler and Sam Cooke and covers of the song that followed the Righteous Brothers’ hit, like Elvis’s, but no one has ever come close to singing it the way Bobby did on the Andy Williams live TV show.
It’s a difficult song to sing, with the wide range of notes, but Bobby nailed it – live and with no vocal accompaniment or autotune.
I don’t want to ignore Bill Medley – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling is also spectacular.
Back then, singers had to have talent and they had tons.
Thanks, Randy. I loved this week’s challenge.
“Unchained Melody” is a beautiful song. I can easily see how it could be someone’s all-time favorite.
Sleet and snow in Tucson? Wow!
Just a bit and it’s long gone!
Ooh, I forgot about that song, too. I love it! I love songs with wide vocal range, though I could never sing them. Sorry to hear of your cold spell! Good thing about weather–it always changes!
66 today and then climbing this week. 87 again on Friday.