Although they had a handful of solid hits in the 1960s,
the Righteous Brothers will always be remembered for the masterful "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" from 1964. Written by
Barry Mann and
Cynthia Weil and produced by
Phil Spector in his trademark Wall of Sound style, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" sets an ominous and emotionally ravished tone from its opening line ("You never close your eyes...") and then builds even more powerfully from there. Far from being another of
Spector's brilliantly crafted teen symphonies, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is instead a thoroughly adult one, and the desperation that builds in
Bill Medley's lead vocal (and is echoed by
Bobby Hatfield's impassioned call-and-response interjections) comes from a man who truly understands what has been lost and is facing the darkest night of his very soul. It is a phenomenal record, and the centerpiece of any album it is on, including this one, which collects
the Righteous Brothers' essential '60s recordings. There are deeper and better compilations out there, but the bottom-line sides are here, including "Little Latin Lupe Lu," "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration," "Unchained Melody," "The White Cliffs of Dover," and, of course, the classic "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide
