In 1955, The Goons produced a comic version of the song, sung in an inappropriately upbeat manner (and with as few added "ying-tongs") by Peter Sellers, in character as "Bluebottle."
Line Renaud recorded different versions of the song in 1956, sung in both French and Spanish.
The song was released on a B-side by Merri Gail in 1957 for Cha Cha Records, accompanied by an accordion.
Another early version was by teen idol Ricky Nelson, issued in 1958 on the album Ricky Nelson.
Gisele Mackenzie covered the song on her 1958 solo album for RCA Victor, Gisele (LPM/LSP-1790).
The Fleetwoods released a version of the song on their 1959 album, Mr. Blue for Dolton records.
The Supremes covered the song for their album I Hear A Symphony, released in 1966.
Roy Orbison recorded a version of it for his album Many Moods, released in May 1969.
On June 21, 1977, just six weeks before his death, Elvis Presley performed "Unchained Melody" for what would be his last television appearance, "Elvis In Concert." However, the recording that was ultimately released as a single and included on the Moody Blue album (the last released while he was alive) was from an earlier appearance at Ann Arbor, Michigan, featuring him on piano, as was invariably the case when Presley sang the song in concert.
In 1981, a live version of the band Heart peaked at #83 on the Billboard Top 100.
In 1986, Leo Sayer released a version of the song with a contemporary re-working of the "wall of sound" production technique that included an unusual electric guitar solo near the climax. The single charted in the UK only, making the Top 60.
U2 also covered the song as a B-side to their 1989 single, "All I Want Is You." They have played the track live several times, including one performance which was captured on their 1993 concert film Zoo TV: Live from Sydney.
In 1995, the song was performed by Robson Green and Jerome Flynn in the UK drama series Soldier Soldier. This version was subsequently released as a single and quickly reached #1 in the UK, becoming one of the country's all time biggest selling records.
Also in 1995, Air Supply's album News from Nowhere contained a cover of the song.
Sarah McLachlan's haunting version of the song opened Pine Ridge: An Open Letter to Allan Rock - Songs for Leonard Peltier, a benefit CD published by What Magazine on 1 November 1996; the recording was reissued in 2008 on her album Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2. She also performed the song at the Leonard Peltier Defense Fund Benefit Concert on 12 February 1997.
Cyndi Lauper was nominated for a 2005 Grammy award for "Best Instrumental Composition Accompanying a Vocal" for her interpretation of the song, which appears on the At Last album. In 2006, singer Barry Manilow covered the song on his album Greatest Songs of the Fifties, and it reached #20. Christian Singer David Phelps recorded the song on his 2008 album The Voice.
The Smashing Pumpkins also released a cover of the song in their Live Smashing Pumpkins album series.
Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox recorded a version in 2007 as Atlas Sound and gave it away on his blog, along with a Jay Reatard cover.
Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge performed the song in concert as a tribute to Bobby Hatfield, and it appeared on their 2008 "Greatest Hits Live" CD.
Gareth Gates recorded a cover version of the song as his first release following his appearance on Pop Idol in the United Kingdom. The single reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on its first week of release.
Clay Aiken recorded the song on his 2010 album Tried and True.
The Pop Opera group, Amici Forever recorded the song in Italian, under the title, 'Senza Catene' (Without Chains).
Joni Mitchell incorporated the chorus and parts of the melody in 'Chinese Cafe/Unchained Melody'.
Constantine Maroulis released his version of the song as a single, which he debuted during a guest performance on American Idol on April 7, 2011.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unchained_Melody)
By: Shahen Gasparyan
No comments:
Post a Comment