According to BMI music publishing, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” was played on American radio and television more times than any other song in the 20th century. It got over 8 million plays from the time it was released until 2000. Note that this includes all versions of the song, not just The Righteous Brothers’.
The husband-and-wife songwriting team of Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote this song at the request of Phil Spector, who was looking for a hit for an act he had just signed to his Philles label: The Righteous Brothers.
The title “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” was just a placeholder until they could think of something better, but Spector thought it was great so they went with it. With most of the song written, Mann and Weil completed the song at Spector’s house, where Phil worked with them to compose the famous bridge (“Baaaby… I need your love…”).
The song was the first Righteous Brothers release on Philles, and it shot to #1, giving both the duo and the songwriting team of Mann & Weil their first #1 hit.
Phil Spector produced this song using his famous “Wall of Sound” recording technique.
Various music writers have described the Righteous Brothers version as “one of the best records ever made” and “the ultimate pop record”.
You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lipsAnd there’s no tenderness like before in your fingertipsYou’re trying hard not to show itBut baby, baby I know it
You lost that lovin’ feelin’Whoa, that lovin’ feelin’You lost that lovin’ feelin’Now it’s gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh
Now there’s no welcome look in your eyes when I reach for youAnd now you’re starting to criticize little things I doIt makes me just feel like crying‘Cause baby, something beautiful’s dyin’
You lost that lovin’ feelin’Whoa, that lovin’ feelin’You lost that lovin’ feelin’Now it’s gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh
Baby, baby, I’d get down on my knees for youIf you would only love me like you used to do, yeahWe had a love, a love, a love you don’t find everydaySo don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t let it slip away
Baby, baby, baby, babyI beg you please, please, please, pleaseI need your love, need your loveI need your love, I need your loveSo bring it on back, so bring it on backBring it on back, bring it on back
Bring back that lovin’ feelin’Whoa, that lovin’ feelin’Bring back that lovin’ feelin’‘Cause it’s gone, gone, goneAnd I can’t go on, whoa-oh
Bring back that lovin’ feelin’Whoa, that lovin’ feelin’Bring back that lovin’ feelin’‘Cause it’s gone, gone, gone