Unchained Melody

~ from the 1955 Warner Brothers Film "Unchained"

Words and Music by Alex North and Hy Zaret

With Mitchell Ayres' Orchestra

Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City

Recording Engineer: unknown

Recording Time 3:33

Recorded June 13th, 1956 ~ Matrix No. G2PB-4685 Take 1 + ( TO BE REMADE )

NOT RELEASED

Notes: This recording was first released in the 1993 CD compilation "Yesterday & Today ~ A Celebration in Song". The serial number information includes a caption "To Be Remade" suggesting a clear intention that either Perry or the label was not satisfied with this first take. Of three recordings made on this date, none were released.

"Unchained Melody" was written by Hy Zaret and Alex North for the 1955 movie "Unchained," starring Elroy (Crazy Legs) Hirsch and Barbara Hale. Todd Duncan, the famous baritone in Porgy and Bess, sang it in the film. That same year, Les Baxter's instrumental version (Capitol 3055) reached number one and became a million-seller. Other hit versions in 1955 included those by Al Hibbler (Decca 29441), which reached #5 on the Top 100 and sold over a million copies; Roy Hamilton (Epic 9102) reached #6 and June Valli (RCA 6708) reached #29. Over the years, "Unchained Melody" has been recorded by numerous artists. The Righteous Brothers (Philles 129) peaked at #4 in 1965, and the Sweet Inspirations (Atlantic 2551), reached #73 in 1968 with the tune.