About the song
Few songs in the annals of popular music have stirred hearts across generations quite like **“Unchained Melody.”** Though originally penned in 1955 by **Alex North** and **Hy Zaret**, and famously recorded by **The Righteous Brothers** in 1965, there’s something uniquely poignant in the version rendered by **Elvis Presley**—particularly during the twilight of his life. His interpretation, recorded live in 1977, only months before his death, captures not only the haunting beauty of the song itself but also the emotional depth of a man whose voice had become etched into the very soul of 20th-century American music.
**Elvis Presley’s “Unchained Melody”** is more than a cover; it’s a personal testament. Accompanying himself on the piano, with minimal backing, **Presley** delivers the song with such raw vulnerability that it feels less like performance and more like confession. This wasn’t the polished Elvis of his early rockabilly days or the Hollywood showman—this was an artist laying bare his wearied soul. His voice, though aging and sometimes strained, still carried the unmistakable tremble of longing, making lyrics like *“I need your love, God speed your love to me”* all the more aching and authentic.
What’s particularly moving is the context of this performance. By 1977, **Elvis** was visibly battling personal demons and declining health. And yet, when seated at the piano, surrounded by an audience that adored him, he summoned a strength that defied his physical state. His rendition of **“Unchained Melody”** is imbued with a sense of finality—as if he knew this was one of the last messages he would leave behind.
For older listeners especially, there is a profound emotional resonance in this version. Many grew up with **Elvis**, watched him transform from a rebellious icon to a cultural monument, and here, in this performance, they witnessed not just a legend but a human being—flawed, tender, and still capable of magic. **Elvis Presley’s “Unchained Melody”** endures not just because of the song’s inherent beauty, but because he breathed into it his own truth, making it one of the most haunting and memorable moments in his storied career.
Video
Lyrics
Oh, my love, my darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
Time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers cry
Wait for me, wait for me
I’ll be coming home, wait for me
Oh, my love, my darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
