"Unchained Melody"

A lover longs to be reunited with his former Sweetheart. Has she waited for him?

 

Unchained Melody

 

“Are you still mine?”

 

The cab stopped at the club and I got out.  I was nervous.

It had been far too many years since we were together.

I wondered if you still wanted me after all this time.

Gone were many sunrises and sunsets, minutes and hours.

Yes, I waited for you.  Would this night finally be ours?

 

Many were the doubts as I stepped onto the dance floor.

The air was heavy with the smell of alluring perfume.

A light blinking on and off showed me you were there.

The only move I could make took me closer to you.

As I fell into your arms, the band played on cue.

 

Nostalgic notes from the piano soothed like warm milk.

Soft and easy sounds of the sax purred like a kitten.

Music as this brought back memories of times past.

My body relaxed with the mellow tones of the song.

We danced close, cheek to cheek, all the night long.

 

The swish of brushes on the snare made me sway.

The deep tones of the bass made my heart flutter.

You were charming and sexy, and I ached for you.

The soulful guitar riffs made you feel the same.

I dreamed of you with me in life’s picture frame.

 

Earlier this night my mind wondered if all was lost,

But as we danced and danced, you called me yours.

The evening was perfect.  I remember it to this day.

It was the night tender tunes of romance set me free.

  The time had come to unchain love’s melody!

Sheila, Ms. Lady of Love

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. . It has become one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, by some estimates having spawned over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages.

In 1955, Alex North used the music as a theme for the prison film Unchained hence the name. Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack. Les Baxter (Capitol Records catalog number 3055), released an instrumental version which reached #1. Then song recordings were released by Al Hibbler (Decca Records #29441) reaching #3 on the Billboard charts, Jimmy Young which hit #1 in the United Kingdom, and Roy Hamilton (Epic Records no. 9102) reaching #1 on the R&B Best Sellers list and #6 on the pop chart. Hundreds of other recordings followed.

It was the July 1965 version by The Righteous Brothers that became a jukebox standard for the late 20th century,

Reviews

[Michael G.]

This is beautifully written.
"Unchained Melody" is one that easily withstood the test of time. Many a memory has it playing in the background. If you were a band in the sixties, you had to know how to play it.
My favorite rendition... The Platters, I think. Though I could listen to most all of the different cuts and enjoy... just like I enjoyed this poem. Well done, Sheila.

[Sheila Kline]

Yes, the rendition done by The Platters is also memorable, and could have been an excellent choice for my poem, but The Righteous Brothers said it the best for me. Somehow they set the tone for my words just a bit better than other versions. THANK YOU for your review and kind words!!

[Marie]

The song is beautiful and so is this pem. I love how you describe the instruments, the music...the lovliness of the ballroom...

[Sheila Kline]

Thank you for noting the mood of the poem. It was intended to be a night of romance and love!

[*** Hey Jude***]

This reads with feeling from the depths of your being. So wonderfully fluent, and tender. You have definitely unchained a Melody of such beauty in this poem.
Love this song! I had not heard it in awhile. This is definitely a top favorite. Thank you for sharing through your eye's my "Awesome Lady of Love"! ~

[Sheila Kline]

You always write the sweetest and most tender of words for my humble writes!
THANK YOU!! The song is but an effort to add another note to the poem........my top note!

[*** Hey Jude***]

I am the one humbled by your loving soul. You Bless me! ~xoxo

[Poet's Soul]

I remember that beautiful song well. I enjoyed the poem. PS

[Sheila Kline]

It's a song many of us remember! Thank you for your review!!

[Arthur Henn]

What a wonderful melody of written word, written word of love. The time has come to unchain the song of loves melody... Thank You!

[Sheila Kline]

You are more than welcome Art! Yes, let us keep the song of love unchained as we show acts of kindness and love to those we love!!

[Sagar Waingankar]

Simply wonderful of it's kind is all I can say! Made up my day!

[Sheila Kline]

How wonderful it is that reading my poem made your day! Thank you for stopping by and reviewing this write of romance!!

[papaed]

I stood 6 ft. in front of a Righteous Brothers concert on a small stage in 1965. He looked exactly like this. Only difference is that girls were screaming and fainting. It was in a small theatre called the Cowtown ballroom in Kansas City. A wonderful memory. There were no more that 300 in the audience. A beautiful voice. Toward the end of the concert he got close to the stage and let girls grab his sleeves and they tore off. What a show. A few years later, I recall dancing with my first wife and feeling the strong emotion you express so well here to a 45 of this song on a record player.
Peace and much appreciation for your writing.
papaed

[Sheila Kline]

THANK YOU Papaed! And, wow what an experience your night with The Righteous Brothers must have been! How the girls did love to hear them croon their beautiful songs of love!

[papaed]

I haven't been active on the Writer's Cafe for a year. I'd begun to feelmy interests and thoughts were a little too aged for most here. Your piece was the first I looked at when coming back ( at Helen's request. She remembers and is quite persistent) and I know I can be comfortable here again.
Peace,
papaed

[Helena]

OMG what a superb romantic one to feast my eyes and senses on this morning. Loved it dear poetess and oh yes, I remember The Richeous Brothers well. Fantastic group.....fantastic poem!

[Sheila Kline]

THANK YOU!! The Righteous Brothers singing the song to accompany the poem was like adding icing to a cake chock full of romance! Let us always enjoy the beauty of romance!!

[Elisa Laura]

This was a lovely ride of the perfect loves mind, I find this exceptional. As now days, love doesn't seem for some so granded, for me and my hubby now 12 and half years together it is a lovely flashback you brought us here, as a simulairy thing in 2000 April happened to us too... So wonderful dear poet, your words and imagery are higher than the most here, i loved it!

E. L.

[Sheila Kline]

You are just precious! Your remarks so please me, and I am happy you could especially relate to the event you had happen in 2000 April! THANK YOU!!

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Sheila,

Wow, wow, wow. Have you discovered you medium, Dear Lady!!?

A powerful write that seemed so easy and natural. It just flowed. You bared your soul. We shared. It all clicked.

This was greatly enjoyed and is what I think is one of your most powerful and natural writes. It flowed.

Kudos!

Best regards,

Rick

[Sheila Kline]

Dear Rick!

Your comments are always appreciated, and I am indeed flattered by your remarks concerning this poem. It did flow, it was spilling out of me as I sat and listened to the song, and it certainly came from the depths of my soul!
I am enjoying writing in a bit of a different style so we shall see what comes in the future.

Perhaps it is my soul that has been unchained!!

Best Regards,

Sheila