"Unchained Melody" by Heart

Song#:  0544
Date:  03/28/1981
Debut:  85
Peak:  83
Weeks:  3
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  Heart just had their highest peaking single to date with the remake of "Tell It Like It Is" from their "Greatest Hits/Live" LP. The album combined hits with some live tracks and new studio recordings. Although "Tell It" was a new studio recording, this next single was from the live side of the album. Again, a remake of an older hit, it didn't catch on and fell off the chart after a minor few weeks. This started a low period for the band, but four-years later the group would rally back in a big way.

ReduxReview:  Live performances on record are not my favorites, but every now and then one is pretty solid. Since this isn't a rehash of one of their own songs, doing this remake live is something new and Ann Wilson pretty much kills it. She powers her big voice right through the song adding some nice licks along the way. I'm still not a big fan of the song in general, but I like hearing this one.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  This song debuted on the chart the same week Bill Medley debuted with a different song. He is part of The Righteous Brothers whose remake of this song is probably the most famous version. This song is one of the most covered in history and has made the Billboard chart in 9 different versions with Les Baxter's 1955 instrumental version the only one to reach #1.

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