Hy zaret biography of michael jackson
The Story of... 'Unchained Melody' by The Righteous Brothers
2 September 2021, 17:31 | Updated: 23 October 2023, 12:53
'Unchained Melody' is one of the UK's best-loved songs of all time, reaching number one on four separate occasions.
Just about every singer has attempted it, we can't not think about pottery making whenever we hear it, and you simply couldn't escape it in 1990. And 1995.
But how did the song come about? What inspired its lyrics? Here's all you could need to know about the iconic ballad...
Who wrote 'Unchained Melody?
The ballad was written in 1955, with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret.
What inspired the song?
Unchained Melody by Todd Duncan 1955
In 1954, North was asked to compose the score for the prison film movie Unchained. North composed and recorded the score, and then was asked to write a song based on the movie's theme.
North asked Hy Zaret to write the lyrics, but Zaret initially declined, saying he was too busy painting his house! Thankfully, he was convinced to take the job.
Zaret refused the producer’s request to include the word 'unchained' in his lyrics, and it became known as 'Unchained Melody'.
Instead, Zaret focused on someone who pines for a lover he has not seen in a "long, lonely time".
Who sang 'Unchained Melody' first?
The film centered on a man who contemplates either escaping from prison to live life on the run or finishing his sentence and returning to his wife and family.
Todd Duncan sang the vocals in the film. Lying on a bed, he sings it accompanied by another prisoner on guitar, while others listen sadly.
It was nominated for an Oscar in 1955, but it went to the hit song 'Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing' from the movie of the same name.
Who else recorded it in the 1950s?
Jimmy Young - Unchained Melody
Bandleader Les Baxter released a version soon after the film, reaching num
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Blossoming Apple Tree - P. Mondriaan
Occasionally I hear phrases from a Lied in my head, and they bother me until I identify it, I told you about this. It also happens to me that I hear some music that reminds me of a Lied, and, again, I must identify it, as I also told you. Another variation on this theme is when I hear a Lied that reminds me of another song. That's what happened to me a few days ago, when I was choosing a version of Seligkeit to share with you.
I was listening to different versions of this song, and since I was at it, I was playing around with the records. And then I heard a song so beautiful that I set aside Selikgeit for a while. Actually, this song, with a short and easy to remember name, An die Apfelbäume, wo ich Julien erblickte, [To the apple trees, where I saw Julia], not only was beautiful, it was original and had a very modern way of starting. And then I thought: what reminds me of this beginning? But I had to go back to Seligkeit.
When I returned to An die Apfelbäume (if you don't mind, I shorten the name), I realized again that it recalled me something; I didn't know what, but it was composed much later. After a couple of listenings, I realized that I was looking for a song from the 1950s (from the 20th century, I mean). And that voice… Elvis? So, I went over Elvis Presley's songs. But I wasn't able to find it, until I thought: Elvis, or maybe Roy Orbison? Let's listen to him! And this time I immediately located the piece I was looking for: Unchained Melody.
Unchained Melody is a song by Alex North with words by Hy Zaret, written for the 1955 film Unchained, directed by Hall Bartlett and set in a prison. I don't know if the film was successful, but the song became hugely popular. There are many covers since then, including those by Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, although the best known is that of the Righteous Brothers. I'm sure you know the song, but, just in case the name i On November 3, 1990, The Righteous Brothers scored a No.1 hit in the UK with “Unchained Melody,” 25 years after its original release, thanks to its appearance in the blockbuster film, Ghost. Written in 1955 by Alex North and Hy Zaret for the film Unchained, the ballad was first performed by Todd Duncan. Later that year, multiple artists found success with the tune including Liberace, Jimmy Young, and Les Baxter. It would soon become one of the most recorded songs in history. The Righteous Brothers’ version, released in 1965, however, would become the definitive recording. Produced by Phil Spector and featuring a solo performance by the duo’s Bobby Hatfield, the track was a hit upon its release. In 1990, when it was featured prominently in the Demi Moore/Patrick Swayze film, it gained a new generation of fans around the globe. In 1991, approximately 300,000 people attended the free “Laughter, Love and Music,” concert at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which celebrated the life and work of Bill Graham. The 60-year-old concert promoter and impresario, who was instrumental in the rise of the ‘60s counterculture movement, was killed a week earlier in a helicopter crash. Many of the acts that Graham had supported performed at the memorial event, including the Grateful Dead, Santana, and a reunited Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. In 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” was released by Sun Records. Selling one million copies in just ten days, the recording would become one of the era’s best-selling singles. In 1990, Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” became the first rap single to top the Billboard Hot 100. In 2013, the first YouTube Music Awards were held in New York City. While the fan-voted event, which celebrated the year’s best music videos, was short-lived, it marked the overwhelming impact of the platform on the music industry. Looking f American singer (born 1982) This article is about the artist. For the album, see LeAnn Rimes (album). LeAnn Rimes Rimes in May 2014 Margaret LeAnn Rimes Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. Dean Sheremet Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (born August 28, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She originally rose to success as a country music artist at the age of 13 and has since crossed over into pop, contemporary Christian, and other musical genres. Rimes has placed more than 40 singles on international charts since 1996. She has sold more than 48 million records worldwide, with 20.8 million album sales in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan.Billboard ranked her at number 17 in terms of sales success in the 1990–1999 decade. Born in Mississippi and raised in Texas, Rimes demonstrated a unique singing ability from a young age. Through her parents' efforts, Rimes began performing in various musical theater and local music contests. Working with her father as producer and manager, Rimes recorded two studio albums as a preteen. She developed a local following that helped bring her to the attention of Nashville label Curb Records. In 1996, aged 13, she signed a contract with Curb and released the single "Blue", which became a top-10 hit on the Billboard country songs chart. Her 1996 album Blue was certified Platinum six times and established her as a major country artist. In 1997, Rimes crossed over into pop music with "How Do I Live", which became one of the best-selling singles of the 1990s. The track was included on her next album You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs (1997), which was certified quad November 3rd: The Biggest Music Headlines
The Righteous Brothers Score A Hit (Once Again) With ‘Unchained Melody’
LeAnn Rimes
Born
(1982-08-28) August 28, 1982 (age 42)Occupations Years active 1990–present Spouses Website leannrimesworld.com