Oscar-Nominated Songs: Unchained Melody
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62443)
United States
January 19, 2023 10:59am CST
Okay, it’s time to blow your mind! Today’s song that was nominated for the “Best Original Song” Oscar is probably very familiar to you, and you’re probably thinking of a movie where it was featured. No, not that movie. Here’s today’s song.
Unchained Melody - Todd Duncan
Oh really???
Really! This didn’t get nominated for its use in the film Ghost. No, it got its nomination (and unusual name) from the 1955 film Unchained. (The melody from Unchained, or Unchained melody! 
)
The film, which I’ve never seen, may be memorable for having Barbara Hale, who later won an Emmy as Della Street on Perry Mason, and this song, performed by African-American opera singer Todd Duncan. Nominated for the Best Song, it lost to “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”
From there, the song moved to the Righteous Brothers and Ghost and one of the most enduring love songs of the rock era, recorded over 1,500 times.
Unchained Melody
Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret
Recorded by Todd Duncan
From Unchained, 1955
Oh, my love, my darling:
)
The film, which I’ve never seen, may be memorable for having Barbara Hale, who later won an Emmy as Della Street on Perry Mason, and this song, performed by African-American opera singer Todd Duncan. Nominated for the Best Song, it lost to “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.”
From there, the song moved to the Righteous Brothers and Ghost and one of the most enduring love songs of the rock era, recorded over 1,500 times.
Unchained Melody
Written by Alex North and Hy Zaret
Recorded by Todd Duncan
From Unchained, 1955
Oh, my love, my darling:
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12 people like this
12 responses
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
19 Jan 23
One of the many services I perform here. 
Amazing where some of these songs come from, isn’t it!!
Amazing where some of these songs come from, isn’t it!!2 people like this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@DianneN — that’s why I love going in those rabbit holes. Oh, the things there are to learn out there!!! 
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247191)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@FourWalls And thank you for that service
It is very amazing. Most of us have no idea and always happy to learn something new.
It is very amazing. Most of us have no idea and always happy to learn something new.1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79961)
• United States
19 Jan 23
Didn't' know that song had history before it became popular in the movie Ghost and recorded by the Righteous Brothers.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
19 Jan 23
I knew the Rightous Brothers’ version wasn’t the original, because I have a version by the Browns (Jim Ed, Maxine, and Bonnie, of “The Three Bells” fame) in the late 50s. I found out about its connection to the movie when I did one of my “songs you might now know were covers” countdowns.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79961)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@FourWalls you certainly are a music buff.
1 person likes this
Thank you. It’s my passion.
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I try. Speaking of interesting, I saw that Aussie singer Slim Newton, who gave us “The Redback on the Toilet Seat,” passed away. 
That song doesn’t hold a candle to this one, but….
That song doesn’t hold a candle to this one, but….1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
19 Jan 23
This is the one I didn’t know about. With its use in Ghost and other movies, and its popularity, I thought you might have heard it. I never know. Then again, you never know about me, either. 
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116125)
• United States
19 Jan 23
@FourWalls I know the song but not the singer
1 person likes this
@PinkFloydFan (1072)
• United States
9 Mar 23
I have only heard The Righteous' Brothers version, as well as a performance on The Andy Williams Show, and it's great. One of the 10/10 songs. Maybe I should check out some of their other songs by the tenor (can't believe I can't think of his name!)
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
9 Mar 23
It’s one of those songs that became so synonymous with the Righteous Brothers that you can’t even believe anyone else did it, let alone did it before them.
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
2 Feb 23
It was also used in other films, notably, Ghost.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45586)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
20 Jan 23
Boy, those guys sure look heart-broken. I'm surprised by two things in that clip: the guitar (someone could easily garrot a guard with one of the strings) and the fact that the prison was integrated... obviously not in the South in 1955.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
20 Jan 23
The synopsis I read of it said it was set in a California prison. No chain gang like Cool Hand Luke.
And of course the movie makers never thought about the guitar-as-a-weapon, just as a prop.
And of course the movie makers never thought about the guitar-as-a-weapon, just as a prop. 1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73725)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Jan 23
One of my all time favorites with The Righteous Brothers singing, I see that scene on Ghost and I am a blubering mess,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
23 Jan 23
I’ve heard it with a number of acts who do it so well. I love the Browns’ harmony. And, of course, you just can’t beat the Righteous Brothers’ version.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157150)
• United States
20 Jan 23
I remember the Righteous Brother's cover. Great song.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34417)
•
27 Jan 23
A great use of the song in the movie "Ghost." Never knew it had been used before. And the verse "I Need Your Love" with Bobby's high pitched voice fit perfectly in that scene.
It get the chain reference to the prison movie Unchained. But somehow it just doesn't fit for me?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
28 Jan 23
I’ve never seen the movie. The synopsis makes it appear that the lead character’s freedom at the end is his “unchaining.”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62443)
• United States
20 Jan 23
It’s such a beautiful song. Glad you enjoyed hearing the original.
1 person likes this
