The King's Covers : You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

BMI Announced Top 100 Songs of the Century last year.

They listed the most played songs on American radio and television. Number one on the list of the twentieth century was the anthemic "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," written by Barry Mann, Phil Spector and Cynthia Weil. which recently passed the historic 8 million performance plateau. It was originally recorded by The Righteous Brothers and produced by Spector. This original, a real pop classic, which hit the charts in most countries (several times), is famous for its near-perfect production.


The setting of the song by Phil Spector, the atmosphere of the music, really touches a string. It is melancholic and together with the "sad" vocals of the Righteous Brothers it creates a dramatic atmosphere, where you almost hear the singers teardrops fall on the ground.


Let's see if Elvis added something to this song, as he did with so many others, when he adapted them on stage or in the studio. Focusing on this particular song it seems to be one of Elvis' favourite live songs, and a showstopper in the early seventies. He never recorded it in the studio officially.


Although Elvis' version is almost a little too bombastic regarding the music, his desperate way of singing, together with the "mourning" backing by the Sweet Inspirations really strengthens the sadness of the lyrics.


Both versions are from a different world, how we wish the power of Spector and Presley were joined, if only once. Unfortunately "their cooperation" never went beyond the production of some demos for Elvis by Phil Spector in the early sixties.