(You're My) Soul and Inspiration
"(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" | ||||
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Single by the Righteous Brothers | ||||
from the album Soul and Inspiration | ||||
B-side | "B-Side Blues" | |||
Released | February 26, 1966 | |||
Recorded | Late 1965 | |||
Genre | Pop, blue-eyed soul | |||
Length | 3:00 | |||
Label | Verve | |||
Songwriter(s) | Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil | |||
Producer(s) | Bill Medley | |||
The Righteous Brothers singles chronology | ||||
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"(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" is a song by
Background
The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, part of the Brill Building pop machine in New York City.[3] They first began writing it following the success of the Righteous Brothers' first single with Phil Spector, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", which they also wrote. However, the song was not completed, as they thought it sounded too much like "Lovin' Feelin",[4] and Spector chose instead to record Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Just Once in My Life" as the duo's second single.[5]
After leaving Spector's Philles Records in late 1965, the Righteous Brothers moved to the mostly jazz-oriented Verve label. Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers then asked Mann about the incomplete "Soul and Inspiration" that the songwriters had played for Medley when they first started writing it, and asked them to complete the song. Mann and Weil complied, and the Righteous Brothers then recorded the finished song in late 1965.[4][6]
The song was arranged by
The song was released on February 26, 1966,[9] and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and stayed at the top for three weeks.[10] This was, however, the end of the group's peak in popularity. Although they entered the charts with their next single, the religiously-oriented "He" (No. 18 US), before briefly splitting in 1968, they did not crack the top-10 again until reuniting in 1974 with "Rock and Roll Heaven", an ode to deceased musicians.[1]
Cover versions
In 1969, the vocal group the Blossoms covered the tune with Righteous Brothers member Bill Medley producing.
In 1972, the reggae artist Paddy Corea covered the tune instrumentally for the UK label Trojan Records. The song is available on the 1995 cover-compilation Keep on Running.[11]
In 1973, Doc Severinsen recorded an instrumental version of this song on his Trumpets & Crumpets & Things album.
In 1978,
In 1990, the country music group
Bill Medley himself covered the song in 1994 as a duet with fellow Phil Spector client Darlene Love.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Certifications
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References
- ^ a b Richmond, Peter. "Righteous Brothers Discography". Archived from the original on 13 September 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
- ^ "1966". billboard Top 100.
- ^ Kurutz, Steve. "Biography of Cynthia Weil". Retrieved 17 September 2007.
- ^ a b Mike Ragogna (July 9, 2012). "Soul & Inspiration: A Conversation With Songwriters Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, Plus Milan's Calibro 35". Huffington Post.
- ISBN 978-0306823169.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Biography of The Righteous Brothers". Retrieved 18 September 2007.
- ^ ISBN 978-1495008825.
- ^ "Record Details". 45cat.
- ISBN 9780857120564.
- ISBN 9781461661030.
- ^ Farley, Keith. "All Music Guide: Keep on Running". Retrieved 18 December 2009.
- ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5721." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ Flavour of New Zealand, 22 July 1966
- ^ "Righteous Brothers: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Righteous Brothers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ CashBox, 1966 April 16
- ^ "American single certifications – Righteous Brothers – Righteous Brothers". Recording Industry Association of America.