You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

by

The Righteous Brothers

Album: The Best Of The Righteous Brothers     Released: 1964

US Chart: 1      UK Chart: 1

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According to BMI music publishing, this was played on the radio more times than any other song of the 20th century.

The husband and wife songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote this at the request of Phil Spector, who was looking for a hit for The Righteous Brothers. It was inspired by "Baby I Need Your Loving" by The Four Tops.

Phil Spector produced this using his famous "Wall of Sound" recording technique. Spector got a songwriting credit for this, as he usually demanded one around this time and had the clout to get it. Cynthia Weil has said that Spector never really wrote but instead "inspired."

This was the Righteous Brothers' first single for Philles Records, Phil Spector's label. Spector bought out the remaining two and a half years of the Righteous Brothers' contract with Moonglow Records (with whom they had regional hits "Little Latin Lupe Lu" - later covered by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels - "Koko Joe," and "My Babe") so he could sign them. When this song became a hit, Moonglow released a lot of their old Righteous Brothers material to capitalize on the demand.

Phil Spector was determined to make this his finest production to date, and wanted it to be better than anything released by current top producers like Berry Gordy, George Martin, Andrew Loog Oldham and Brian Wilson. He chose the Righteous Brothers for their tremendous vocal talents, and enlisted his old Jazz guitar idol Barney Kessel to play on the song.

The line "You've lost that lovin' feelin'" was used as a placeholder until the writers could come up with something better. Spector thought it was great and insisted they use it.

The opening line, "You never close your eyes any more when I kiss your lips," was inspired by the Paris Sisters song "I Love How You Love Me," which begins, "I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me."

Spector put the time on the single as 3:05 so that radio stations would play it. The actual length is 3:50, but stations at the time rarely played songs much longer than 3 minutes. It took radio station program directors a while to figure out why their playlists were running long, but by then the song was a hit. (Thanks to Kent at the Forgotten Hits newsletter for all above. You can join the newsletter at The60sshop@aol.com.)

Rolling Stones' manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, took out ads in the British trade papers saying that the Righteous Brothers' version was the greatest record ever made.

This was used in the 1986 movie Top Gun in a scene where Tom Cruise sings it to woo Kelly McGillis. Cruise is still occasionally asked to sing it by fans.

Some of the artists who covered this include Elvis, Dionne Warwick, Hall and Oates, and Neil Diamond, among others. Warwick's version hit #16 in 1969, Hall and Oates' hot streak began when their remake hit #12 in 1980 (they followed with the #1 "Kiss on My List" and #5 "You Make My Dreams." That LP, Voices, also had the original version of "Everytime You Go Away," later made into a #1 hit by Paul Young). Hall And Oates eventually replaced The Righteous Brothers as the #1 selling duo of all time.

When Mann and Weil sang this for The Righteous Brothers, low-voiced Bill Medley loved it, but Bobby Hatfield was puzzled. He asked, "What do I do while he's singing the entire first verse?" Spector replied, "You can go directly to the bank."

This is the only song to enter the UK Top 10 Three different times. It did it in 1965, and again when it was re-released in 1969 and 1990. The 1990 re-release was prompted by the rekindled success of "Unchained Melody," which itself hit #1 after being used in the movie Ghost. The re-release of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" peaked at #3.

In the UK, a version by Cilla Black was released just ahead of The Righteous Brothers' version. Both songs charted the same week, with Black's at #2 and The Righteous Brothers' at #3. The next week, The Righteous Brothers' version went to #1, giving Phil Spector his first #1 UK hit.

In Rolling Stone magazine, Bill Medley recalled, "We had no idea if it would be a hit. It was too slow, too long, and right in the middle of The Beatles and the British Invasion." The following is from the Rolling Stone's Top 500 songs: "Spector was conducting the musicians for a Ronettes show in San Francisco when he decided to sign the Righteous Brothers, who were on the bill. He then asked Mann and Weil to come up with a hit for them. Bill Medley's impossibly deep intro was the first thing that grabbed listeners. 'When Phil played it for me over the phone,' Mann recalled, 'I said, "Phil, you have it on the wrong speed!"' Bobby Hatfield was also puzzled by his partner's opening solo: 'What do I do while he's singing the entire first verse'' he asked Spector, who answered, 'You can go directly to the bank.'" (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for above 2)

In 2003, The Righteous Brothers played this to open the ceremonies when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It was odd timing, as Phil Spector was arrested on murder charges just a month before the ceremony.

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Comments:

The vast majority of Spector's wall of sound productions were created in such a way that they sounded better in mono. They were mixed for play on 1960s AM radio. Although most of Spector's hits were released in stereo versions for lp lovers stereo wasn't a factor for radio play until the early 70s and the increasing popularity of FM radio.
- Bill , Dallas, TX

When you listen to this song, you feel a lot of love and you like to have a hug...... yeah I understand, I feel it too. I have the same feeling when I listen to another song written by Barry Mann "Sometimes when we touch". All these beautiful lovesongs make me so weak, so soft.
- Teresa , Mechelen, Belgium

like Long John Baldry and Kathie McDonalds version better.......they really belt it out, and whenever i hear it .i dunno , i feel a lotta love in the room..can i have a hug ?? please ....someone???
- pete , nowra, Australia

The lyrics to this song are incredible....they say so much with so few words. A great record.
- Steve , Fenton, MO

This song is written by Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann; a beautiful song with a great "Wall of Sound". Phil Spector, you are just perfect.
- Teresa , Mechelen, Belgium

I grew up knowing the Hall and Oats version and loving it. I still think it's a great version to this day. I'm thankful the Righteous Brothers wrote it, but I'm not a fan of their version.
- Dee , Indianapolis, IN

The Zeinth of Phil Spector's studio majestry. There is a reason this song has gotten more airtime than any other. A percussive masterpiece. This is the biggest the wall of sound ever became. Sonny & Cher are background singers for this and Glen Campbell was the rythym guitarist. It still gives me goosebumps everytime I hearit. If there is a heaven, this is what God has on the radio.
- Vince , Phoenix, AZ

A very beautiful song of Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann with a great "Wall of Sound", a song that last forever.
- Teresa , Mechelen, Belgium

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