View source for Unchained Melody

{{Short description|1955 song by Alex North and Hy Zaret}}
{{For|the [[LeAnn Rimes]] album|Unchained Melody: The Early Years}}
{{Use American English |date=October 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name          = Unchained Melody
| cover         =
| cover_size    =
| alt           =
| border        =
| caption       =
| type          = song
| artist        = [[Todd Duncan]]
| album         = 
| EP            =
| language      = <!--only if not in English-->
| English_title = 
| A-side        =
| B-side        =
| published     =
| released      = {{Start date|1955|01|19}}
| recorded      =
| studio        =
| venue         =
| genre         = <!--do not add unsourced genres-->
| length        = <!--{{Duration|m=|s=}}-->
| label         =
| composer=[[Alex North]]
| lyricist=[[Hy Zaret]]
| producer      =
| chronology    =
| prev_title    = <!--for a singles chronology-->
| prev_year     =
| next_title    =
| next_year     =
| tracks        = <!--see "Track listing examples" section for album track listing options-->
| misc          = <!--for use of {{Extra chronology}}, {{Extra track listing}}, {{Extra album cover}}, {{Audio sample}}, {{External music video}}-->
}}
<!--[[File:Unchained Melody 1955 sheet music.jpg|thumb|1955 sheet music release]]-->
"'''Unchained Melody'''" is a 1955 song by [[Alex North]] with lyrics by [[Hy Zaret]]. North composed the music as a theme for [[Unchained (film)|its namesake 1955 prison film]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tcm.turner.com/tcmdb/title/94336/Unchained/|title=''Unchained''|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|access-date=April 29, 2021}}</ref> The version of the song in the film's soundtrack was sung by [[Todd Duncan]].<ref name="RR">Robert Rodriguez, [https://archive.org/details/1950smostwantedt0000rodr/page/90 <!-- quote=todd duncan unchained instrumental. --> The 1950s' Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Rock & Roll Rebels], ''Brassey's'', p.90.</ref> It has since become a [[standard (music)|standard]] and one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with the version recorded by [[the Righteous Brothers]] in 1965 notable in its own right.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|last=Dowling |first=Stephen |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3246887.stm |title=Entertainment &#124; Brothers in good company with hits |work=BBC News |date=November 6, 2003 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref> According to the song's publishing administrator, over 1,500 recordings of "Unchained Melody" have been made by more than 670 singers, in multiple languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unchainedmelodypublishing.com/ |title=Unchained Melody |work=Unchained Melody Publishing LLC }}</ref>

In 1955, three versions of the song – by [[Les Baxter]], [[Al Hibbler]], and [[Roy Hamilton]] – charted in the top 10 of the ''[[Billboard Hot 100]]'' in the United States.<ref name="rollingstone 500">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/the-righteous-brothers-unchained-melody-20110526 |title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 11, 2003 }}</ref> In the United Kingdom, the versions by Hibbler, Baxter, [[Jimmy Young (broadcaster)|Jimmy Young]], and [[Liberace]] ranked in the top 20 simultaneously, a record for any song.<ref>{{cite book |title=The encyclopedia of singles |author=Philip Dodd |author2=Paul Du Noyer |year= 1999 |page=222 |publisher=Parragon |isbn=0-7525-3337-1 }}</ref><ref name="cult pop" /> The song continued to chart in the 21st century, and until 2014 it was the only song to reach number one with four different recordings in the United Kingdom.<ref name="everyhits">{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com/record5.html |title=Record Breakers and Trivia : Singles : Individual Hits: Number 1s |work=Every Hits }}</ref><ref name="christmas" />

Of the hundreds of recordings made, the Righteous Brothers' version, with a solo by [[Bobby Hatfield]], became the [[jukebox]] standard after its release. Hatfield changed the melody in the final verse and many subsequent covers of the song are based on his version. The Righteous Brothers' recording acquired renewed attention when it was featured in the 1990 film ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]''. In 2004, it was number 27 on [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]] survey of top tunes in American cinema.

== Origin of song ==
In 1954, Alex North was contracted to compose the score for the prison film [[Unchained (film)|''Unchained'']] (released in 1955). North had a melody he had written in the 1930s and composed and recorded the score when he was asked to write a song based upon the movie's theme.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Padgett |first=Ray |title=Cover me: the stories behind the greatest cover songs of all time |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-4549-2250-6 |location=New York |pages=36–43 |oclc=978537907}}</ref>{{huh |date=October 2025}} North asked Hy Zaret to write the lyrics. After first refusing, Zaret and North together wrote "Unchained Melody".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.argosymusiccorp.com/HyZaret/HyZaret.html |title= Biography of Hy Zaret |work= Argosy Music Corporation }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11710153 |title='Unchained Melody' Lyricist Dies at 99 ''All Things Considered'' |date=July 3, 2007 |work=[[National Public Radio]] (U.S.) }} The audio linked from that page includes snippets of various artists performing the song.</ref> Zaret refused the producer's request to include the word "unchained" in his lyrics.<ref name="nyt obit" /> The song eventually became known as the "Unchained Melody", though the song does not actually include the word "unchained". Instead, Zaret chose to focus on someone who pines for a lover he has not seen in a "long, lonely time".<ref name=CBC /> The film centered on a man who contemplates either escaping from prison to live life on the run or completing his sentence and returning to his wife and family.<ref name=CBC /> The song has an unusual harmonic device as the [[Bridge (music)|bridge]] ends on the [[Tonic (music)|tonic]] chord rather than the more usual [[Dominant (music)|dominant]] chord. "Unchained Melody" is written in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[C major]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Alex|last=North|author2=The Righteous Brothers|first3=Hy|last3=Zaret|date=January 3, 2019|title=Unchained Melody|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0192212|access-date=June 2, 2021|website=Musicnotes.com}}</ref> 

Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack and performs an abbreviated version in the film. Playing one of the prisoners, he sings it, accompanied by another prisoner on guitar, while other prisoners listen sadly.<ref name=RR /> With Duncan singing the vocals,<ref name=RR /> the song was nominated in 1956 for [[28th_Academy_Awards|1955's Oscars]], but the [[Academy Award for Best Song|Best Song award]] went to the hit song "[[Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (song)|Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing]]".<ref name="CBC">{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705200923/http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2007/07/03/unchained-melody-obit.html |archive-date=July 5, 2007|title="Lyricist behind Unchained Melody dies", CBC Arts|date= July 3, 2007|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/lyricist-behind-unchained-melody-dies-1.640038 |url-status=live |work=CBC }}</ref>

William Stirrat, an electrical engineer, claimed to have written the lyrics as a teenager in 1936 under the pen name "Hy Zaret", only to have North use the uncredited words in the 1955 original.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hinckley|first1=David|title=He waxed lyrical over 'Unchained Melody'|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/waxed-lyrical-unchained-melody-article-1.267337|work=NY Daily News|date=July 9, 2007|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Zaret was songwriter|url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2007/07/03/zaret-was-songwriter/|work=Long Beach Press Telegram|date=July 3, 2007}}</ref> The case went to court and the dispute was resolved completely in favor of the real Zaret (the one born [[Hy Zaret|Hyman Zaritsky]]), who continued to receive all royalties.<ref name="nyt obit"/>

== Early versions ==
Following the movie, several charting covers were released in 1955. Bandleader [[Les Baxter]] released a choral version ([[Capitol Records]] catalog number 3055), which reached number one on the US charts and number 10 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mplcommunications.com/behind_song_unchained.asp |title=Behind the song, MPL Communications |access-date=February 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060226112230/http://www.mplcommunications.com/behind_song_unchained.asp |archive-date=February 26, 2006 }}</ref> The words "unchain me" are sung repeatedly at the beginning and the lyrics are sung by a choir. ''Billboard'' ranked this version as the [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1955|number-five song of 1955]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1955.php|title=Billboard Top 30 – 1955|access-date=January 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125092919/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1955.php |archive-date=January 25, 2010 }}</ref> [[Al Hibbler]] followed close behind with a vocal version (Decca Records catalog number 29441),<ref name=pc17>{{Gilliland |url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc19767/m1/ |title=Show 17 – The Soul Reformation: More on the evolution of rhythm and blues. Part 3&#93;|website=Digital.library.unt.edu |date=May 28, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2013}}</ref> that reached number three on the ''Billboard'' charts and number two in the UK chart listings. [[Jimmy Young (broadcaster)|Jimmy Young]]'s release (on Decca Records UK catalog number F10502) stayed at number one on the British charts for three weeks and remained on the UK charts for 19 weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/381/jimmy-young/ |title=Jimmy Young |work=The Official Charts Company }}</ref> Young re-recorded the song in early 1964 and it hit number 43 in the UK. Two weeks after Young's version entered the top 10 of the British charts in June 1955, [[Liberace]] scored a number-20 hit (Philips PB 430). [[Roy Hamilton]]'s version ([[Epic Records]] catalog number 9102) reached number one on the R&B Best Sellers list and number six on the pop chart.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2004 |publisher=Record Research |page=243}}</ref> [[June Valli]] recorded the song on March 15, 1955 ([[RCA Victor Records]] as catalog number 20-6078) with the flip side "Tomorrow",<ref name=RCA206000>{{cite web|url=http://78discography.com/RCA206000.htm |title=RCA Victor 78rpm numerical listing discography: 20-6000 – 6500 |publisher=78discography.com |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref> and took it to number 29 on the Top Pop Records list.<ref>{{cite book
  | last = Whitburn
  | first = Joel
  | author-link = Joel Whitburn
  | title = Top Pop Records 1940–1955
  | publisher = Record Research
  | location = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
  | year = 1973 }}</ref> [[Harry Belafonte]] recorded the song,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://78discography.com/RCA206500.htm |title=RCA Victor 20-6500 – 7000; 78rpm numerical listing discography |publisher=78discography.com |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=March 30, 2014}}</ref> and sang his version at the 1956 [[Academy Awards]] after it was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] [[28th Academy Awards|of 1955]].<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=2ywKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA220 |title=Best Songs of the Movies |page=220|first=John |last=Funnell |date= 2005|publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers | isbn= 978-0-7864-2193-0 }}</ref>

While the sheet-music business was losing its prominence to sound recordings,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Music Printers Decry Pop Sheet Business Doldrums |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CxwEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22unchained+melody%22+%22sheet+music%22+1965+-wikipedia&pg=PA39 |pages=34, 39 |magazine=Billboard |date = May 28, 1955|access-date=January 8, 2018 |via=Google Books }}</ref> a sheet music release of the song peaked at number one on its 10th week on the ''Billboard'' Best Selling Sheet Music chart on the week ending June 18, 1955.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best Selling Sheet Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ch0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22unchained+melody%22+sheet+music+1955&pg=PA26 |magazine=Billboard |date=June 18, 1955 |page=26 |access-date=January 8, 2018 }}</ref> It stayed at its peak position for nine weeks<ref>''Billboard'' 1955 issues: [https://books.google.com/books?id=FCEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22unchained+melody%22+%22sheet+music%22+billboard+-wikipedia&pg=PA32 July 2], [https://books.google.com/books?id=OSMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22unchained+melody%22+%22sheet+music%22+billboard+-wikipedia&pg=PA32 July 16], [https://books.google.com/books?id=jSEEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22unchained+melody%22+%22sheet+music%22+billboard+-wikipedia&pg=PA34 July 30], [https://books.google.com/books?id=1yMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22unchained+melody%22+%22sheet+music%22+billboard+-wikipedia&pg=PA38 August 13], [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-08-27.pdf August 27]</ref> until it dropped to number four on its 20th week on the week ending August 27.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Best Selling Sheet Music |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-08-27.pdf |magazine=Billboard |date=August 27, 1955 |page=44 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |via=World Radio History }}</ref>

===Charts===
{{columns-start}}

====Les Baxter====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1955)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia ([[Australian Music Report|AMR]])<ref name="amr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.top100singles.net/2016/10/amr-top-singles-of-1955.html|title=AMR Top Singles of 1955|website=Top100singles.net|access-date=June 26, 2025}}</ref>
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|10|artist=Les Baxter|song= Unchained Melody}}
|-
|UK ([[List of Record Mirror number-one singles|''Record Mirror'']])<ref name="RM1">{{cite web|title=January – June 1955|url=http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1956-1960%20Record%20Mirror/01.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725161613/http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1956-1960%20Record%20Mirror/01.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2011|work=[[Record Mirror]]|access-date=May 15, 2010}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|10
|-
|US (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Best Seller in Stores)<ref name="billboard may14"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|US (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Most Played by Jockeys)<ref name="billboard may14">{{cite news |title=Most Played by Jockeys for survey week ending May 14 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-05-14.pdf |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=The Billboard |issue=20 |date=May 14, 1955 |page=34}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}

====Roy Hamilton====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1955)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|US (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Most Played by Jockeys)<ref>{{cite news |title=Most Played by Jockeys for survey week ending May 11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60 |work=The Billboard |issue=20 |date=May 21, 1955 |page=60}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|6
|-
|US ([[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' R&B Best Sellers in Stores]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Rhythm & Blues Records: Best Sellers in Stores for survey week ending May 11 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ChwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 |work=The Billboard |issue=20 |date=May 21, 1955 |page=66}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}

{{column}}

====Jimmy Young====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1955)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Jimmy Young|song= Unchained Melody}}
|-
|UK (''Record Mirror'')<ref name="RM2">{{cite web|title=July – November 1955|url=http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1956-1960%20Record%20Mirror/02.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513115009/http://scans.chartarchive.org/UK/1956-1960%20Record%20Mirror/02.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2011|work=Record Mirror|access-date=May 15, 2010}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|}

====Al Hibbler====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1955)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia ([[Australian Music Report|AMR]])<ref name="amr"/>
|style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|2|artist=Al Hibbler|song= Unchained Melody}}
|-
|UK ([[List of Record Mirror number-one singles|''Record Mirror'']])<ref name="Sixties">{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Alan|title=Every No.1 in the 1960s is listed from all the nine different magazine charts!|url=http://www.davemcaleer.com/page22.htm|work=[[Dave McAleer]]'s website|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510032548/http://www.davemcaleer.com/page22.htm|archive-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
|US (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Most Played by Jockeys)<ref>{{cite news |title=Most Played by Jockeys for survey week ending May 25 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30 |work=The Billboard |issue=20 |date=June 4, 1955 |page=30}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
|US ([[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|''Billboard'' R&B Best Sellers in Stores]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Rhythm & Blues Records: Best Sellers in Stores for survey week ending May 25 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pBwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40 |work=The Billboard |issue=20 |date=June 4, 1955 |page=40}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}
{{columns-end}}

== The Righteous Brothers versions ==
{{Infobox song
| name          = Unchained Melody
| cover         = Unchained Melody by Righteous Brothers 1965 US vinyl B-side.png
| alt           = 
| caption       = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[the Righteous Brothers]]
| album         = [[Just Once in My Life (album)|Just Once in My Life]]
| A-side        = Hung on You
| released      = July 17, 1965
| recorded      = March 2, 1965
| studio        = [[Radio Recorders|Radio]], Hollywood
| genre         = [[Blue-eyed soul]]
| length        = {{Duration|m=3|s=36}}
| label         = [[Philles Records|Philles]]
| composer      = [[Alex North]]
| lyricist      = [[Hy Zaret]]
| producer      = * Uncredited (original pressings)
* [[Phil Spector]] (later pressings, ''Back to Mono (1958-1969)'')
* [[Bill Medley]] (uncredited)
| prev_title    = [[Just Once in My Life (song)|Just Once in My Life]]
| prev_year     = 1964
| title         = Hung on You
| title2        = Unchained Melody
| next_title    = [[Ebb Tide (song)|Ebb Tide]]
| next_year     = 1965
| misc          = {{Extra album cover
 | header    = Alternative release
 | type      = single
 | border    = yes
 | cover     = Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers UK vinyl reissue 1990.jpg
 | caption   = 1990 UK vinyl re-release of the original 1965 recording
 }}
}}

The best-known version of "Unchained Melody" was recorded by the duo [[the Righteous Brothers]] for [[Philles Records]] in 1965.<ref name=":0" /> The lead vocal was performed solo by [[Bobby Hatfield]], who later recorded other versions of the song credited solely to him. According to his singing partner [[Bill Medley]], they had agreed to do one solo piece each per album. Both wanted to sing "Unchained Melody" for their fourth album, but Hatfield won the coin toss.<ref name="sullivan">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QWBPAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA632 |title=Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 2|author=Steve Sullivan|page=632 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=October 4, 2013 |isbn= 978-0-8108-8295-9 }}</ref>

=== Recording ===
{{listen|type=music
| filename    = Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody.ogg
| title="Unchained Melody"
| pos         = left
| description =Bobby Hatfield changed the tune to the line "I need your love" for the climax of the song, a change found in most subsequent versions
}}
The song was not originally intended to be released as an A side. As Spector was not especially interested in producing B-sides or album tracks, he left the production to Bill Medley,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UH_EOUR4tmkC&pg=PT450 |title=1001 Songs: You Must Hear Before You Die|author= Robert Dimery |publisher=Cassell Illustrated |date=December 5, 2011 |isbn=978-1-84403-717-9}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> who had produced the duo before they signed with Spector and Philles. He brought in a similar "wall of sound" instrumental track.<ref name="facts">{{cite web |url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/bill_medley_of_the_righteous_brothers/ |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers |publisher=Songfacts.com |date=June 15, 2014 |access-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref> Medley said: "Phil came to me and asked me to produce the Righteous Brothers albums because he would have taken too long and it would have cost too much money."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/05/06/soul-inspiration-a-conversation-with-bill-medley-of-the-righteous-brothers/2/#sthash.FJKhPQPz.dpbs| title=Soul & Inspiration: A Conversation with Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers (page 2)|last=Sharp |first=Ken |publisher=Rockcellar Magazine |access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> By Medley's account, Spector only claimed production credit after it supplanted "Hung on You" as the hit.<ref name="Page1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/05/06/soul-inspiration-a-conversation-with-bill-medley-of-the-righteous-brothers/| title=Soul & Inspiration: A Conversation with Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers |last=Sharp |first=Ken | work=Rock Cellar Magazine | date=May 6, 2014 |publisher=Rockcellar Magazine |access-date=September 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608031856/https://rockcellarmagazine.com/2014/05/06/soul-inspiration-a-conversation-with-bill-medley-of-the-righteous-brothers/ |archive-date=8 June 2017 }}</ref> Early copies of the single did not credit a producer for "Unchained Melody" and only credited Spector as producer of the original single "Hung on You".<ref name=":0" /> Later pressings of the single credited Spector as the producer, as do album liner notes in the Spector box set ''[[Back to Mono (1958–1969)]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Back To Mono (Songs) |url=http://albumlinernotes.com/Back_To_Mono__Songs_.html |website=albumlinernotes |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref>

Hatfield made a change to the song during the recording sessions. The first two takes of the song, he performed it in the same style as Roy Hamilton.<ref name=":0" /> For a third take, he decided to change the melody for the "I need your love" line in the final verse, and sang it much higher, instead.<ref name=":0" /> After this recording, Hatfield said he could do another take better, to which Medley replied: "No, you can't."<ref name="facts" /> Medley played the [[Wurlitzer piano]] on the song; later, he noted, "if I knew that it was gonna be a hit I certainly would have brought in a better piano player."<ref name="medley1" /><ref name="Page1" />

===Release===

"Unchained Melody" was originally released as the B-side of the single "Hung on You" as the follow-up single to "[[Just Once in My Life (song)|Just Once in My Life]]".<ref name=":0" /> However, "Hung on You" failed to interest radio DJs, who instead chose to play the B-side, "Unchained Melody". According to Medley, producer Phil Spector, who would deliberately place a throwaway song that was not meant to be played on the B-side,<ref>{{cite news|last=Howe|first=Alan|date=January 6, 2022|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/the-story-behind-the-righteous-brothers-unchained-melody/news-story/dae2f809f13317b0eb8c2592a06a99fc|title=The story behind the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody|newspaper=[[The Australian]]|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> was so incensed by DJs choosing to play the B-side that he started to call their radio stations to get them to stop playing "Unchained Melody".<ref name="medley1">{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8pX_AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA53 |title=The Time of My Life: A Righteous Brother's Memoir|last=Medley|first=Bill|author-link=Bill Medley|publisher=Da Capo Press |date=April 24, 2014|isbn= 978-0-306-82316-9 |pages=53–54 }}</ref> He failed, though, and the song reached number four on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart and number 14 in the UK in 1965.

=== Re-recording and re-release ===
"Unchained Melody" reappeared on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' charts in 1990 after the Righteous Brothers' recording was used in the box-office blockbuster film ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Two versions charted in the US that year – the original and a new recording. According to Medley, he was interested in having the original recording released due to the renewed interest in the song, but was told that licensing issues existed. Although Hatfield's voice was no longer as good as when he first recorded the song, they decided to re-record it for [[Curb Records]].{{sfn|Medley|2014|page=140}} The re-recorded version was released as both a cassette single<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Unchained Melody |author=Righteous Brothers |publisher=Curb Records |year=1990 |id=4JM-76842 |quote=The newly recorded version by the original Righteous Brothers }}</ref> and a CD single.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Unchained Melody |author=Righteous Brothers |publisher=Curb Records |year=1990 |id=D2-76844 |quote=Contains Special New TIMELESS LOVE Extended Version Remix }}</ref> It received minimal airplay, but sold well, peaking at number 19. The re-recorded version was certified platinum by the RIAA on January 10, 1991,{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers}} and received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA71 |title=Hatfield dies at 63 |magazine=Billboard |date=November 15, 2003 }}</ref>

The 1965 original Righteous Brothers recording was reissued on October 15, 1990,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=39|date=October 13, 1990}}</ref> by the oldies-reissue label Verve Forecast<ref>{{cite book |first=Dave |last=McAleer |year=2001 |title=The Book of Hit Singles: The Top Twenty Charts from 1964 to the Present Day |edition=2001 |page=305 |publisher=Music Player Network |isbn=0-87930-666-1 }} "Unchained Melody" positioned on number 15 on the October 1990 US chart.</ref><ref name="sullivan"/> under licensing from [[Polygram Records]]<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Unchained Melody |author=The Righteous Brothers |publisher= Verve Forecast / Polygram Records |id=871 882-7 |quote=Printed in USA }}</ref> (which had acquired the rights years earlier). The original version received significant airplay, and topped the [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|U.S. adult contemporary chart]] for two weeks in 1990, but sales for this version were minimal in the US since it was available as only a 45 RPM single and the song peaked at number 13 based largely on airplay. For eight weeks, both versions were on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 simultaneously and the Righteous Brothers became the first act to have two versions of the same song in the top 20 at the same time.<ref name=spctropop>{{cite web |url=http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/BHobit.htm |title=BOBBY HATFIELD (1940–2003) Blue-eyed Soul Brother |author=Peter Richmond |work=Spectropop }}</ref> This re-released song reached number one in the UK, where it stayed for four weeks, becoming the UK's top-selling single of 1990. As of 2017, it had sold 1.17 million copies in the UK.<ref name="uk sales">{{cite news |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-chart-millionaires-revealed__20459/ |title=he UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed |first= Rob |last=Copsey |work=The Official Charts Company |date=September 19, 2017 }}</ref> The 1990 reissue also reached number one in Australia, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

Due to the success of their re-recording, the Righteous Brothers also re-recorded other songs and released them as part of a budget-priced CD compilation by Curb Records. For the original recordings, Polydor had licensed the CD rights to [[Rhino Records]] for a premium-priced 1989 compilation of Righteous Brothers hits from various labels;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Brothers-Anthology-1962-1974-CDs/dp/B00000334C |title=Righteous Brothers Anthology 1962–1974 (2 CDs) |website=Amazon |access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> later in 1990, it issued its own regular-priced [[The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers: Unchained Melody|Righteous Brothers greatest-hits album]] that included the recording.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000001FZC/ |title=Unchained Melody: Very Best Of The Righteous Brothers |website=Amazon |date=April 21, 1991 |access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref>

=== Reception ===
The Righteous Brothers' cover of "Unchained Melody" is now widely considered the definitive version of the song.<ref name="cult pop" /><ref name="facts" /> Hatfield's vocal in the original recording in particular is highly praised; it has been described as "powerful, full of romantic hunger, yet ethereal,"<ref name="cult pop" /> and a "vocal ''tour de force''", although his later re-recording was noted as "fudging only a bit on the highest notes".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-21-ca-4754-story.html |title= POP MUSIC REVIEW : Righteous Brothers Keep Their Melodies Unchained: They still generate the vocal excitement that made them a sensation a quarter-century ago |date=November 21, 1990|author=Jim Washburn |work=The Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The production of their original recording has been described as "epic", and that with "Hatfield's emotion-packed tenor soaring to stratospheric heights, it's a record designed to reduce anyone separated from the one they loved to a "pile of mush".<ref name="sullivan" />

=== Charts ===
{{columns-start}}

==== Weekly charts ====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1965)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|10|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Wallonia|17|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|9|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|chartid=5580|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|9|year=1965|week=39|refname=|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|8|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
|New Zealand (''Lever Hit Parade'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=Lever%20hit%20parades&qyear=1965&qmonth=Oct&qweek=28-Oct-1965#n_view_location|title=Lever hit parades: 28-Oct-1965|work=Flavour of New Zealand|access-date=April 10, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828155844/http://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=Lever%20hit%20parades&qyear=1965&qmonth=Oct&qweek=28-Oct-1965#n_view_location|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|14|artist=Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
|US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-08-28.pdf |title= Cash Box Top 100 |magazine=Cash Box |date=August 28, 1965 |page=4}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 50 R&B<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1965/CB-1965-09-04.pdf|title= Cash Box Top 100 |magazine=Cash Box |date=September 4, 1965 |page=40}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1990–1991)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|1|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|1|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|3|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|4|artist=Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|chartid=7749|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|artist=Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|chartid=1355|refname=}}
|-
|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-11-17.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=7|issue=46|page=10|date=November 17, 1990|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|Europe (European Hit Radio)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-01-26.pdf|title=European Hit Radio|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|issue=4|volume=8|date=January 26, 1991|page=21|access-date=November 17, 2025}}</ref>
|align="center"|19
|-
|Finland ([[Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=216|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Righteous Brothers|page=216|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=July 4, 2022|language=fi}}</ref>
|align="center"|24
|-
{{single chart|France|6|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|access-date=April 11, 2019|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|6|songid=2207|refname=|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|1|artist=|song=Unchained Melody|access-date=January 29, 2020|refname=}}
|-
|Luxembourg ([[Radio Luxembourg]])<ref>[http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDate=19901021&ChMode=N Radio Luxembourg Singles. October 28, 1990.]</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|year=1990|week=48|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname="d401990"}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|4|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|13|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=Unchained Melody|refname=}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=The Righteous Brothers|song=|refname=}}
|-
|US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmusichistory.co.uk/_files/ugd/b4848d_4f9128176360450ba51be67a0468e9fa.pdf|title=Cash Box Chart Entries 1990-1996|website=popmusichistory.co.uk|access-date=November 20, 2025}}</ref>
|align="center"|9
|}
{{column}}

==== Year-end charts ====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1965)
!Position
|-
|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1965|title=Jaaroverzichten 1965|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|61
|-
|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1965|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1965|publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|54
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1965-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 1965|website=Billboardtop100of.com|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|21
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1990)
!Position
|-
|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|8
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9139&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9139.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9139|title=Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1990|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=July 17, 2013 |publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|48
|-
|Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9175&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9175.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9175|title=Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=July 17, 2013 |publisher=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|-
|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1990|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1990|publisher=[[Dutch Top 40]]|access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|59
|-
|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1990|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|language=nl|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|29
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=1990 Top 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|publisher=Spotlight Publications|location=London, England|page=41|date=March 2, 1991}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|-
|US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1990/adult-contemporary-songs|title=Year-End Charts: Adult Contemporary Songs 1990|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128210425/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1990/adult-contemporary-songs|archive-date=January 28, 2021|access-date=March 12, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|28
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1991)
!Position
|-
|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1991/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1991|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|45
|-
|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1991|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1991|language=de|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1991|title=Jaaroverzichten 1991|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|59
|-
|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1991|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=8|issue=51–52|page=21|date=December 21, 1991|access-date=January 17, 2020|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|align="center"|17
|-
|Germany (Media Control)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1991|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|language=de|access-date=April 11, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|47
|-
|New Zealand (RIANZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3880|title=End of Year Charts 1991|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|access-date=December 3, 2017|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629084243/https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/?chart=3880|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|-
|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1991|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991|website=hitparade.ch|language=de|access-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|29
|}
{{columns-end}}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|access-date=November 9, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1991}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=2024|id=13195}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|certmonth=3|access-date=July 31, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Platinum|number=2|id=2025-01-30|source=radioscope|access-date=2025-10-07|certyear=2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1991 |certref=<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/x263f6daopkswo8/Spanish_certifications_for_1979-1990.pdf/file |title=Sólo éxitos año a año 1959-2002|page=929}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|id=7873-451-1|salesamount=1,167,000|salesref=<ref name="uk sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Righteous Brothers|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1991}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

== Elvis Presley version ==
{{Infobox song
| name          = Unchained Melody
| image         = Elvis_Unchained_Melody_PS.jpg
| caption       = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Elvis Presley]]
| album         = 
| B-side        = [[Softly, As I Leave You (song)|Softly, As I Leave You]]
| published     = 
| released      = March 1978
| recorded      = June 21, 1977
| studio        = 
| venue         = Rushmore Civic Center in Rapid City, South Dakota
| genre         = 
| label         = [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| writer        = 
| composer      = [[Alex North]]
| lyricist      = [[Hy Zaret]]
| producer      = [[Felton Jarvis]]
| chronology    = 
| prev_title    = [[My Way]]
| prev_year     = 
| next_title    = [[(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear]]
| next_year     = 
}}

On June 21, 1977, [[Elvis Presley]] performed the song at a show in [[Rapid City, South Dakota]].<ref name=":0" /> The performance, described by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' as "the last great moment of his career", was recorded for [[Elvis in Concert|his last television special]] two months before his death in August 1977.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-elvis-presley-sings-unchained-melody-two-months-before-his-death-20130404 |title=Flashback: Elvis Presley Sings 'Unchained Melody' Two Months Before His Death|author= Andy Greene |date=April 4, 2013 |magazine= Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223124146/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/flashback-elvis-presley-sings-unchained-melody-two-months-before-his-death-20130404 |archive-date= February 23, 2016}}</ref> A single, based on this recording, was released in March 1978 by [[RCA Records]] with "[[Softly, As I Leave You (song)|Softly, As I Leave You]]" as the B side.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CE6JPQyNKawC&pg=PA65 |title=Presleyana VI – the Elvis Presley Record, CD, and Memorabilia Price Guide|page=65|author= Jerry Osborne|publisher=Osborne Enterprise Publishing |year=2007|isbn=978-0-932117-49-6}}</ref>{{sfn|Whitburn|2008|p=330}} The song reached number six in the country charts of both the US and Canada,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4582&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4582.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4582 |title= Country Playlist|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=May 20, 1978}}</ref> and was certified gold by [[Music Canada]] on July 10, 1986.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=Canada|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Elvis Presley}}

Another live version recorded earlier on April 24, 1977, at Crisler Arena in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], was included in his last album ''[[Moody Blue]]''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igH2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT618 |title=Elvis Presley: A Life In Music|author= Ernst Jorgensen|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year= 2014 |isbn=978-1-4668-6855-7}}</ref> Both versions had studio overdubs with additional instruments added before they were released.

===Charts===

{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1977)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Canadacountry|6|artist=Elvis Presley|song=Unchained Melody|chartid=4582}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardcountrysongs|6|artist=Elvis Presley|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100 Country<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-05-06.pdf |title= Cash Box Top 100 Country |magazine=Cash Box |date=May 6, 1978 |page=33}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Elvis Presley|award=Gold|relyear=1978|certyear=1986}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

== Robson and Jerome version ==
{{Infobox song
| name          = Unchained Melody
| cover         = Robson and Jerome - Unchained Melody.jpg
| alt           = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Robson & Jerome]]
| album         = [[Robson & Jerome (album)|Robson & Jerome]]
| released      = {{start date|1995|5|8}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-05-06.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=59|date=May 6, 1995|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref>
| recorded      = 1995
| studio        = 
| venue         = 
| genre         = 
| length        = 3:17
| label         = [[BMG Records|BMG]]
| composer      = [[Alex North]]
| lyricist      = [[Hy Zaret]]
| producer      = [[Mike Stock (musician)|Mike Stock]], [[Matt Aitken]]
| prev_title    = 
| prev_year     = 
| title         = 
| title2        = White Cliffs of Dover
| next_title    = [[I Believe (Frankie Laine song)|I Believe]]
| next_title2   = [[Up on the Roof (song)|Up on the Roof]]
| next_year     = 1995
}}

The version by [[Robson and Jerome]] is notable as the best-selling single of 1995 in the UK. It also launched the singing career of Robson and Jerome, and became the biggest hit in the UK for [[Simon Cowell]], marking his beginning as a significant figure in the music industry.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Yc7AAAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PT23 |title=Olly Murs – The Biography|author= Justin Lewis |publisher=John Blake |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-78219-085-1 }}</ref>

In November 1994, in an episode of the UK television drama series ''[[Soldier Soldier]]'', characters Dave Tucker and Paddy Garvey, portrayed by actors [[Robson Green]] and [[Jerome Flynn]], respectively, performed "Unchained Melody" as an impromptu duo, the Unrighteous Brothers, after the entertainment failed to appear for a friend's wedding.<ref name="uk hits">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BwwLBaH9488C&pg=PT933 |title=1000 UK Number One Hits|author= Jon Kutner |publisher=Omnibus Press |date=May 26, 2010 |isbn=978-0-85712-360-2 }}</ref><ref name="million sellers" /> Their performance triggered a strong response from the audience, who attempted to find a recording of the song that was then unavailable.<ref name="billboard 1995" /> Simon Cowell was alerted to the interest shown by the public, and pursued the two reluctant actors for the next four months to record the song, to the extent that Robson Green threatened legal action to stop Cowell harassing them.<ref name="cowell unauthorized">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wh_dAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT15 |title=Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography| author=Chas Newkey-Burden |publisher= Michael O' Mara Books|isbn=978-1-84317-445-5 |date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> The actors were eventually persuaded to sign a recording contract after Cowell made further attempts via Green's mother, and record a Righteous Brothers-type version of the song as a duo.<ref name="cowell unauthorized"/>

The recording was produced by [[Mike Stock (musician)|Mike Stock]] and [[Matt Aitken]].  Stock later revealed that the vocals were "assisted" and parts of the song were sung by other session singers.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2sR1LAf4lhgC&pg=PT72 |title=Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell|author=Tom Bower |publisher=Faber & Faber Non Fiction |date=2012|isbn=978-0-571-29938-6 }}</ref> It was released as a double-A-sided single with "[[(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover|White Cliffs of Dover]]", a popular song during [[World War II]], included in recognition of the 50th anniversary of [[VE Day]], the date of the single's release.<ref name="billboard 1995">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA70 |title=For English Duo, 'So Far So Good': Robson & Jerome Hit Gold with Vintage Songs |author=Nigel Hunter |magazine=Billboard |date=December 16, 1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music|author=Colin Larkin|publisher=Virgin|year=2000 |page=333 }}</ref>  The video released for "Unchained Melody" also incorporated clips from the 1945 film ''[[Brief Encounter]]''.<ref name="million sellers" />

Their recording immediately reached number one in the UK, selling 314,000 copies in its first week, at that time the fastest-selling debut single in UK chart history.<ref name="million sellers">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zQDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT256 |title=Million Sellers|author= Official Charts Company |publisher= Omnibus Press |date=November 4, 2012 |isbn=978-0-85712-882-9 }}</ref> It stayed at the top of the chart for seven weeks.<ref name="uk hits" /> It became the best-selling single of 1995, and one of the country's all-time biggest-selling singles (number 9 in November 2012),<ref name="guardian nov2012">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2012/nov/04/uk-million-selling-singles-full-list |title=UK's million-selling singles: the full list |author= Ami Sedghi |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=November 4, 2012 }}</ref> with 1.87 million copies sold.<ref name="uk sales" /> The [[Robson & Jerome (album)|self-titled album]] they released later in the year also became the best-selling album of 1995.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/06/17/what-was-the-biggest-selling-album-in-1995-britpop-britain-the-answer-may-surprise-you-5250259/ |title=What was the biggest selling album in 1995 Britpop Britain? The answer may surprise you |author=Ross McG |date= June 17, 2015 |work=Metro}}</ref> Although the duo decided to quit the following year, they eventually sold 7 million copies of albums and 5 million copies of the three singles released.<ref name="unauthorized">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wh_dAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT37 |title=Simon Cowell: The Unauthorized Biography| author=Chas Newkey-Burden |isbn=978-1-84317-445-5 |date=October 10, 2009|publisher=Michael O'Mara Books }}</ref> Simon Cowell, who before this was known largely as a creator of novelty records with television characters such as the puppets [[Zig and Zag (puppets)|Zig and Zag]] and action characters [[Power Rangers]],<ref name="allmusic robson">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/robson-jerome-mn0000640522/biography |title=Robson & Jerome |author=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |work=Allmusic}}</ref> then came to the attention of the media for his ability to create hit records.<ref name="unauthorized" />

=== Charts ===
==== Weekly charts ====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (1995)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-05-27.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=12|issue=21|page=31|date=May 27, 1995|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|5
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|2|song=Unchained Melody|access-date=January 29, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|1|date=19950605|artist=Robson & Jerome|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|1|artist=Robson|artistid=32176|access-date=February 7, 2021}}
|}

==== Year-end charts ====
{|class="wikitable"
!Chart (1995)
!Position
|-
|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1995/MM-1995-12-23.pdf|title=Year End Sales Charts – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1995|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=12|issue=51/52|page=14|date=December 23, 1995|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|60
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top 100 Singles 1995|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=9|date=January 13, 1996}}</ref>
|align="center"|1
|}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Unchained Melody/White Cliffs of Dover|artist=Robson & Jerome|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1995|certyear=1995|id=7875-928-1|salesamount=1,872,000|salesref=<ref name="uk sales" />}}
|}

== Gareth Gates version ==
{{Infobox song
| name          = Unchained Melody
| cover         = Gareth Gates - Unchained Melody (single cover).jpeg
| alt           = 
| type          = single
| artist        = [[Gareth Gates]]
| album         = [[What My Heart Wants to Say]]
| released      = {{start date|2002|3|18}}
| recorded      = 2002
| studio        = A-side ([[Stockholm]], Sweden)
| genre         = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length        = {{Duration|m=3|s=54}}
| label         = [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[19 Recordings|19]], [[Syco Music|S]]
| composer      = [[Alex North]]
| lyricist      = [[Hy Zaret]]
| producer      = [[Steve Mac]]
| next_title    = [[Anyone of Us (Stupid Mistake)]]
| next_year     = 2002
}}

English singer-songwriter [[Gareth Gates]] first performed "Unchained Melody" as a contestant in the quarter-finals of [[Pop Idol (series 1)|the first series]] of the UK singing competition television show ''[[Pop Idol]]'', which included Simon Cowell as one of the judges.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0zQDAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT356 |title=The Million Sellers |publisher= Omnibus Press |isbn=978-0-85712-882-9|date=November 4, 2012 }}</ref> Gates reprised the song in the final as his personal choice,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1384337/Will-Young-wins-Pop-Idol-contest.html |title=Will Young wins Pop Idol contest|date= February 9, 2002 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> but the competition was won by [[Will Young]]. Gates was signed by Cowell, and as the runner-up, Gates released the song as his first single three weeks after the winner had released his single, the double-A-sided "[[Anything Is Possible (Will Young song)|Anything Is Possible]]" / "[[Evergreen (Westlife song)|Evergreen]]". Gates' cover of "Unchained Melody" was released together with his versions of the same two songs released by Young, which Gates had also performed in the final.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1384337/Will-Young-wins-Pop-Idol-contest.html |title=Will Young wins Pop Idol contest |work=The Telegraph |date=February 9, 2002 }}</ref>

Gates' version of "Unchained Melody" became one of the fastest-selling singles in the UK, selling around 328,000 copies in the first day of release.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1881346.stm |title=Gates fails to match Young's debut|date=March 19, 2002 |work=BBC }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/muse/11037 |title=Gareth Lacks Will Power |work=NME |author=Adam Bychawski |date=March 19, 2002 }}</ref> It reached number one on the [[UK Singles Chart]] in its first week of release with sales of 850,000 copies,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1891053.stm |title= Pop Idol's Gareth is number one |date= March 24, 2002 |work=BBC }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76355/a-new-pop-idol-tops-uk-singles-chart |title=A New Pop Idol Tops U.K. Singles Chart|date=March 25, 2002|magazine=Billboard }}</ref> and stayed at the top of the chart for four weeks.<ref name="cult pop">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7hpXcrqA-8C&pg=PA247 |title=The Rough Guide to Cult Pop|author= Paul Simpson |pages=246–247 |publisher=Rough Guides |date=October 2, 2003|isbn= 978-1-84353-229-3 }}</ref> It became the second-best-selling song in the UK in 2002, as well as that of the [[List of best-selling singles of the 2000s (decade) in the United Kingdom|decade of 2000s]], after the single by the winner Will Young.<ref name="ukde">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/6917900/Will-Young-has-biggest-selling-single-of-the-decade.html |title=Will Young has biggest selling single of the decade |date=January 1, 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> It had sold 1.35 million copies in the UK as of 2017.<ref name="uk sales"/>

=== Charts ===
==== Weekly charts ====
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (2002–2003)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|9|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|15|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|Wallonia|6|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2002/MM-2002-04-13.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=20|issue=16|page=13|date=April 13, 2002|access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|12
|-
{{single chart|France|4|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|17|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody|songid=5589}}
|-
| Hungary ([[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|Editors' Choice Top 40]])<ref>{{cite web |title=2003/27. heti Editors' Choice Top 40 slágerlista |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/editors-choice-radios-jatszasi-lista/2003/27 |publisher=[[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]]|language=hu|access-date=April 30, 2025}}</ref>
|align="center"| 40
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Unchained Melody|access-date=January 29, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|25|year=2003|week=19|refname="d40gareth"}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|12|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
|Romania ([[Romanian Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10082.html|title=Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 31, saptamina 11.08–17.08, 2003|publisher=[[Romanian Top 100]]|language=ro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050218234436/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10082.html|archive-date=February 18, 2005|access-date=May 9, 2020}}</ref>
|align="center"|22
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|1|date=20020330}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|18|artist=Gareth Gates|song=Unchained Melody}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|1|date=20020330}}
|}

==== Year-end charts ====
{|class="wikitable"
!Chart (2002)
!Position
|-
|Ireland (IRMA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irma.ie/#verticalTab15|title=Best of Singles 2002|publisher=[[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]]|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|12
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2002.pdf|title=The Official UK Singles Chart 2002|work=[[UKChartsPlus]]|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|2
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Chart (2003)
!Position
|-
|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2003/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2003|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|72
|-
|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2003|title=Jaaroverzichten 2003|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|84
|-
|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2003|title=Rapports annuels 2003|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=fr|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|28
|-
|France (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?annee=2003|title=Tops de L'année {{!}} Top Singles 2003|publisher=[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]]|language=fr|access-date=February 7, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|68
|-
|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2003|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003|language=de|access-date=July 6, 2019}}</ref>
|align="center"|91
|}

==== Decade-end charts ====
{|class="wikitable"
!Chart (2000–2009)
!Position
|-
|UK Singles (OCC)<ref name="ukde"/>
|align="center"|2
|}

=== Certifications ===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|access-date=July 6, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2003|access-date=July 6, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Unchained Melody|artist=Gareth Gates|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2002|certyear=2002|id=7873-3503-1|salesamount=1,348,000|salesref=<ref name="uk sales"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}

=== Release history ===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!scope="col"|Region
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Format(s)
!scope="col"|Label(s)
!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom
|{{start date|2002|3|18}}
|{{hlist|CD|cassette}}
|rowspan="2"|{{hlist|[[RCA Records|RCA]]|[[19 Recordings|19]]|[[Syco Music|S]]}}
|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2002/Music-Week-2002-03-16.pdf|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 18 March 2002: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=30|date=March 16, 2002|access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|Australia
|{{start date|2003|7|21}}
|CD
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue700.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st July 2003|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|page=25|date=July 21, 2003|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20030806140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20030807-0000/Issue700.pdf|archive-date=August 6, 2003|access-date=August 23, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|}

== Other notable versions ==
<!-- This list is not meant to be all-encompassing given the large number of covers. Please consider the notability of the version before inserting a cover version, for example whether it has any chart entry or coverage in independent sources. -->

* [[Spike Milligan]] and [[Peter Sellers]] of [[The Goons (The Goon Show)|the Goons]] recorded a parody of the song, produced by [[George Martin]], on June 29, 1955. It would have been the first single by the Goons, but EMI refused to release it, fearing a lawsuit from its music publisher.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/local-stories/surreal-brand-of-humour-which-baffled-the-beeb-1-2429920 |title=Surreal brand of humour which baffled the Beeb| work=Yorkshire Post |date= February 27, 2002}}</ref><ref name="Riley" /> It prompted [[Spike Milligan]] to move to [[Decca Records]], which released other works from the Goons.<ref name="Riley">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5qTm4H0nlJ8C&pg=PA171 |title=Lennon: The Man, the Myth, the Music – The Definitive Life|author= Tim Riley |pages=171–172 |publisher= Virgin Books |date=September 29, 2011|isbn=978-0-7535-4019-0 }}</ref> The Goons later released an album titled ''Unchained Melodies'' with Decca, but without the actual song.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Goons-Unchained-Melodies/release/1585701 |title=The Goons – Unchained Melodies |work=Discogs |date=November 19, 1964 }}</ref> The single was later released in 1990,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Spike-Milligan-Peter-Sellers-Unchained-MelodyDance-With-Me-Henry/release/3071233 |title=Spike Milligan & Peter Sellers – Unchained Melody/Dance With Me Henry |work=Discogs |date=November 19, 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unchained-Melody/dp/B001IJSDA6 |title=Unchained Melody: Peter Sellers & Spike Milligan |work=Amazon }}</ref> and the song was then included in the 2007 compilation album titled ''Unchained Melodies – The Complete Recordings 1955-1978''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/the_goon_show/shop/5670/unchained_melodies/ |title=The Goons – Unchained Melodies – The Complete Recordings 1955-1978 |work=British Comedy Guide }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/unchained-melodies-the-complete-singles-recordings-1955-1978-mw0001107549 |title=The Goons – Unchained Melodies: The Complete Singles Recordings 1955-1978 |first=Richie|last= Unterberger |work=AllMusic}}</ref>
* In 1963, an uptempo [[doo-wop]] version by [[Vito and the Salutations]] peaked at number 66 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100;<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/charts/1963-11-30/the-billboard-hot-100 |title=The Billboard Hot 100 |date=November 30, 1963 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref> this version was used in the [[Goodfellas (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for ''[[Goodfellas]]'' in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dailydoowop.com/doo-wop-unchained-melody/ |title=Doo Wop Unchained Melody |work=The Daily Doo Wop |date=March 17, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://joetroiano.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/vito-and-the-salutations-unchained-melody/ |title=Vito and the Salutations–"Unchained Melody" |work=Joe T'S Soda Shop |date=April 2011 |access-date=December 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304221509/https://joetroiano.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/vito-and-the-salutations-unchained-melody/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>
* [[David Garrick (singer)|David Garrick]] released a version which reached number 14 in the Netherlands in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/david-garrick/david-garrick-unchained-melody-12470 |title=David Garrick - Unchained Melody |work=Top 40 }}</ref>
* In 1975, [[Clem Curtis]] had a disco version that spent three weeks in the ''Record Mirror'' UK Disco Chart, peaking at number 75.<ref>James Hamilton's Disco Page - [https://jameshamiltonsdiscopage.com/chart-archive/a-full-list-of-all-record-mirror-uk-disco-chart-entries-1975-1979/ A full list of all Record Mirror UK Disco Chart entries, 1975-1979, Clem Curtis Unchained Melody (RCA) — 25 August 1979: 75, 3]</ref>
* In 1981, a live version performed by the band [[Heart (band)|Heart]], with lead vocals by [[Ann Wilson]], peaked at number 83 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/heart/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Heart > Chart History > Hot 100|magazine=Billboard }}</ref>
* In 1986, [[Leo Sayer]] released a version of the song with a contemporary reworking of the "wall of sound" production technique that included an unusual electric guitar solo near the climax. The single charted in the UK at number 54.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/27976/leo-sayer/ |title=Leo Sayer |work=The Official UK Charts Company }}</ref>
* [[U2]] covered the song as a [[B side]] to their 1989 single, "[[All I Want Is You (U2 song)|All I Want Is You]]", and included in their compilation album ''[[The Best of 1980–1990]]''. They have performed the song live many times, including one captured on their 1993 concert film ''[[Zoo TV: Live from Sydney]]''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWAyHJQVMLQC&pg=PA141 |title=Exploring U2: Is This Rock 'n' Roll?|author=Scott Calhoun|publisher=Scarecrow Press |year= 2011|isbn= 978-0-8108-8157-0 |page=141}}</ref> [[Bono]] and [[The Edge]] also performed the song together with "[[One (U2 song)|One]]" for the charity [[46664]] Concert in tribute to [[Nelson Mandela]] held in [[Cape Town]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9tw9vnZT4REC&pg=PA116 |title=U2: A Musical Biography|author= David Kootnikoff |page=116 |publisher=Greenwood Press |year= 2009|isbn= 978-0-313-36523-2}}</ref>
* [[Cyndi Lauper]] was nominated for a [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005 Grammy award]] for "Best Instrumental Composition Accompanying a Vocal" for her interpretation of the song, which appears on her 2003 studio album ''[[At Last (Cyndi Lauper album)|At Last]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/which-cast-album-will-win-the-grammy-feb.-13-avenue-q-assassins-boy-from-oz-124168 |title=Which Cast Album Will Win the Grammy Feb. 13? Avenue Q, Assassins, Boy From Oz, Wicked or Wonderful Town?|author= Kenneth Jones|date= February 11, 2005 |work=Playbill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820211114/https://playbill.com/news/article/which-cast-album-will-win-the-grammy-feb.-13-avenue-q-assassins-boy-from-oz-124168 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In 2006, singer [[Barry Manilow]] covered the song on his album ''[[The Greatest Songs of the Fifties]]'' and it was released as a single.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7BQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22 |title= Oldies Good to Manilow | page=22 |magazine=Billboard |date=February 18, 2006 }}</ref> The song reached number 20 on the [[Adult Contemporary]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/280721/barry-manilow/chart?f=341 |title=Barry Manilow: Adult Contemporary |magazine=Billboard }}</ref>
* In 2020, country singers [[Orville Peck]] and [[Paul Cauthen]] released a cover of the song under the name the Unrighteous Brothers along with a cover of "[[You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin']]".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bloom|first=Madison|title=Orville Peck and Paul Cauthen Cover the Righteous Brothers|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/orville-peck-and-paul-cauthen-cover-the-righteous-brothers-listen/|access-date=October 18, 2020|website=Pitchfork|date=September 24, 2020 |language=en-us}}</ref>
*In 2023, [[Lana Del Rey]] covered the song live on the ''Christmas at [[Graceland]]'' special.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/christmas-at-graceland-performances-videos/ |title=Here's Every 'Christmas at Graceland' Performance: Watch Lana Del Rey, Post Malone & More |last=Dailey |first=Hannah |magazine=Billboard |date=November 30, 2023 |access-date=December 3, 2023}}</ref>
*In July 2025, [[Elliot James Reay]] delivered what has been described as a "superbly controlled rendition" of Unchained Melody during his [[All This to Say I Love You Tour]] in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-10 |title=Elliot James Reay TURNS UP THE HEAT at Homecoming Gig |url=https://adrenalinemag.co.uk/concert-review/elliot-james-reay-turns-up-the-heat-at-homecoming-manchester-gig-gorilla-06-07-25/ |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=ADRENALINE Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> In October 2025, [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]/[[EMI]] released "Unchained Melody (Live)", a cover of the song that was recorded during Reay's performance in the [[Benchmark International Arena]] in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]] in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Vincent |date=2025-11-01 |title=Elliot James Reay Releases “Uchained Melody (Live)” |url=https://thegarnettereport.com/art/music/elliot-james-reay-releases-uchained-melody-live/ |access-date=2025-11-05 |website=The Garnette Report |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Country charts ===
Different versions of the song have made the US [[Hot Country Songs]] charts.
*[[Joe Stampley]] (number 41, 1975)<ref>{{cite book|last=Whitburn|first=Joel|author-link=Joel Whitburn|title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008|publisher=Record Research, Inc|year=2008|page=397|isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref>
*[[Ronnie McDowell]] (number 26, 1991){{sfn|Whitburn|2008|p=269}}
*[[LeAnn Rimes]] (number three, 1997){{sfn|Whitburn|2008|p=352}} LeAnn Rimes's cover was originally released in September 1996 as a B-side track to "[[One Way Ticket (Because I Can)]]" and again in November 1996 on the promotional single, "Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart", that was only available at [[Target Corporation|Target]] stores with the purchase of her debut album, ''[[Blue (LeAnn Rimes album)|Blue]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52 |magazine=Billboard|title=Movie Roles Abound For Country Artists; Mark Miller to Shoot Hoops |date=November 23, 1996}}</ref> It was released as a single to radio on December 17, 1996, and included on the album ''[[Unchained Melody: The Early Years]]'' (1997).<ref name="UMrelease">{{cite magazine |last=Jessen |first=Wade |date=January 11, 1997 |title=Country Corner |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |page=28 |volume=109 |issue=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wA4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Country Corner |page=28 |author=Wade Jesson |magazine=Billboard |date=February 8, 1997 }}</ref> The song reached number three on the Hot Country Songs chart in the US, and number three in the [[RPM (magazine)|''RPM'']] Country Tracks chart in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3151&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3151.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3151 |title="Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 3151." RPM |work=Library and Archives Canada |date=March 17, 1997 }}</ref> It was ranked number 64 on the 1997 Year End Country Songs chart in the US,<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1997/hot-country-songs| title=Best of 1997: Country Songs | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] | year=1997| access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref> and number 49 in Canada's Year End Country Tracks chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.7902&type=1&interval=24|title=RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1997|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|date=December 15, 1997|access-date=July 17, 2013}}</ref>

== Impact ==
=== Popularity ===
"Unchained Melody" was the only song to have reached number one in the UK in four different recordings on the official chart until it was joined by the charity single "[[Do They Know It's Christmas?]]" in its fourth re-recording in 2014.<ref name="everyhits" /><ref name="christmas">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/band-aid-30s-do-they-know-its-christmas-opens-at-no-1-in-uk-with/ |title=Band Aid 30's 'Do They Know It's Christmas' Opens at No. 1 in U.K. With Huge Sales|date=November 24, 2014 |author= Paul Sexton|magazine=Billboard }}</ref> It is the only song to have sold over a million by three separate acts in the UK – Robson and Jerome (1.87 million), Gareth Gates (1.35 million), the Righteous Brothers (1.17 million).<ref name="uk sales" /> The song has been number one on lists of love songs featured on the United Kingdom's [[Channel 4]] and [[Five (channel)|Five]].

The song has been covered by many artists; according to the song's publishing administrator, over 1,500 recordings of "Unchained Melody" have been made by more than 670 artists in multiple languages. Its popularity also meant that the song is one of the highest-grossing songs for its copyright holders, estimated in 2012 to be the fifth-biggest earners of royalties according to the BBC's list of the Richest Songs in the World at £18 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.didyouwatchit.com/bbc4/bbc4-the-worlds-richest-songs/ |title=BBC4....The World's Richest Songs |work=Did You Watch It |date=December 29, 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101163252/http://www.didyouwatchit.com/bbc4/bbc4-the-worlds-richest-songs/ |archive-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
The song was nominated in 1956 for [[28th Academy Awards|1955's Oscar]] for best original song from the film ''Unchained''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/25-greatest-original-song-nominees-that-lost-at-the-oscars#24 |title=25 Greatest Original Song Oscar Nominees that lost |work=HitFix |date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819164001/http://www.hitfix.com/galleries/25-greatest-original-song-nominees-that-lost-at-the-oscars#24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The re-recorded version by the Righteous Brothers was nominated for a [[Grammy Award]] in [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991]] in the best pop performance by a duo or group category,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/141767/GRAMMY-NOMINEES-ANNOUNCED.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208115931/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/141767/GRAMMY-NOMINEES-ANNOUNCED.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |title=Grammy Nominees Announced|author=Paul Geitner|agency=Associated Press |date= January 11, 1991 }}</ref> and their original version was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hSCfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA338 |title=Hit Songs, 1900–1955: American Popular Music of the Pre-Rock Era|author= Don Tyler |page=338 | publisher=McFarland & Co Inc |date= June 15, 2007|isbn= 978-0-7864-2946-2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame |title=Grammy Hall Of Fame List |work=grammy.com }}</ref> The use of the Righteous Brothers' cover of "Unchained Melody" in the film ''Ghost'' resurrected the song's popularity as it was recognized as the "most played" song of 1992 by the [[American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers]] (ASCAP).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/the-song-that-helped-ghost-live-on/398390/ |title=How 'Unchained Melody' Broke Free|author=Megan Garber |date= July 13, 2015 |work=The Atlantic }}</ref> ASCAP also announced it to be one of the 25 most-performed songs and musical works of the 20th century in 1999, and the most-performed love song of the 1950s in 2003.<ref name="nyt obit">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/arts/03zaret.html?_r=1& |title=Hy Zaret, 99, Tin Pan Alley Lyricist, Is Dead|author= Douglas Martin|date= July 3, 2007 |work=NY Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709190924/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/03/arts/03zaret.html |archive-date=July 9, 2017}}</ref>

In 2001, the song was ranked at number 138 in the list of [[Songs of the Century]] released by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] and the [[National Endowment for the Arts]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/07/list.top.365.songs/index.html |title=Songs of the Century|date= March 7, 2001 |work=CNN }}</ref> In 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' placed the Righteous Brothers version of the song at number 365 on its list of [[the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]].<ref name="rollingstone 500" /> It was placed first in [[Magic 1278]]'s 500 greatest songs of all time. It was also listed in 2004 at number 27 in the list of the 100 top movie songs of all time in American Film institute's centenary [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]] survey of songs in American cinema.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afi.com/100Years/songs.aspx |title=AFI'S 100 Years...100 Songs |work=American Film Institute }}</ref> In 2007, the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] honored "Unchained Melody" with a Towering Song award that is presented to creators of a song "that has influenced the culture in a unique way over many years."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://songhall.org/news/entry/unchained_melody_honored_as_2007_songwriters_hall_of_fame_towering_song |title="Unchained Melody" Honored As 2007 Songwriters Hall Of Fame "Towering Song" |work=Songwriters hall of Fame }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7BIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49 |title=They Wrote The Song |author=John Bessman |date= June 9, 2007
}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.unchainedmelodypublishing.com/ Publishing administrator for "Unchained Melody"]
* [http://www.argosymusiccorp.com/HyZaret/HyZaret.html Biography of Hy Zaret]
* {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030043425/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/50s_files/1955.html |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |url= http://www.cashboxmagazine.com/archives/50s_files/1955.html | title=Cashbox charts 1955 Cash Box Top Singles of 1955}}
* {{YouTube|8fgUY-kXlBA|Music video on official Vevo channel}} Robson & Jerome's version
* {{YouTube|A0EBj68dlak|Music video on official Vevo channel }} Gareth Gates' version
* {{YouTube|zoxsuL_PT9o|Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody (Official Music Video)}}

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