Unchain My Heart (song)

Last updated
"Unchain My Heart"
Unchainmyheart.jpg
Single by Ray Charles
from the album Ray Charles Greatest Hits
B-side "But on the Other Hand Baby"
ReleasedNovember 1961 (1961-11)
Genre Rhythm and blues
Length2:52
Label ABC-Paramount
Songwriter(s) Robert Sharp Jr., Teddy Powell
Ray Charles singles chronology
"Careless Love"
(1961)
"Unchain My Heart"
(1961)
"I Can't Stop Loving You"
(1962)

"Unchain My Heart" is a song written by Bobby Sharp and recorded first in 1961 by Ray Charles [1] and in 1963 by Trini Lopez [2] and later by many others. Sharp, a drug addict at the time, sold the song to Teddy Powell for $50. [1] Powell demanded half the songwriting credit. Sharp later successfully fought for the rights to his song. In 1987, he was also able to renew the copyright for his publishing company, B. Sharp Music. [1]

Contents

The song was a hit for Charles when released as a single in late 1961. Accompanied by his backup singers the Raelettes, Charles sang about wanting to be free from a woman "who won't let (him) go". His band included longtime saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman. The song reached number nine on the pop singles chart and number one on the R&B singles chart and was the working title of Charles' 2004 biopic Ray . [3]

Charts

Ray Charles version

Chart (1961–1962)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia) [4] N/A
US Billboard Hot 100 [5] 9
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [6] 1

Joe Cocker version

Chart (1987–1988)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [7] 17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [8] 40
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [9] 18
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) [10] 17
France (SNEP) [11] 25
Greece (IFPI) [12] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [13] 26
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [14] 27
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [15] 15
UK Singles (OCC) [16] 46
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [17] 11
West Germany (Official German Charts) [18] 33
Chart (1992)Peak
position
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) [19] 44
UK Singles (OCC) [20] 17

Cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Cocker</span> English singer (1944–2014)

John Robert "Joe" Cocker was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances that featured expressive body movements. Most of his best known singles were recordings of songs written by other song writers, though he composed a number of songs for most of his albums as well, often in conjunction with songwriting partner Chris Stainton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">With a Little Help from My Friends</span> 1967 song by the Beatles

"With a Little Help from My Friends" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, from their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and sung by drummer Ringo Starr, his lead vocal for the album. As the second track on the album, it segues from the applause of the title track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus</span> American country singer and actor

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer and actor. He has released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, and is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992. Due to the song's music video, the line dance rose in popularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry Me a River (Arthur Hamilton song)</span> American torch song

"Cry Me a River" is a popular American torch song, written by Arthur Hamilton, first published in 1953 and made famous in 1955 with the version by Julie London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Achy Breaky Heart</span> Single by Billy Ray Cyrus

"Achy Breaky Heart" is a song written in 1990 by Don Von Tress. First released in 1991 by the Marcy Brothers with the title "Don't Tell My Heart", it was later recorded by American singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus and released on his debut album, Some Gave All (1992). The song is Cyrus' debut single and signature song. It became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia and also 1992's best-selling single in the same country. In the United States, it became a crossover hit on pop and country radio, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the first country single to be certified platinum since "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983. The single topped in several countries, and after being featured on Top of the Pops in the United Kingdom, peaked at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. It was Cyrus' biggest hit single in the U.S. until he was featured on "Old Town Road" by rapper Lil Nas X, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 27 years later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Stop Loving You</span> 1957 song by Don Gibson

"I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter, and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 3, 1957, for RCA Victor Records. It was released in 1958 as the B-side of "Oh, Lonesome Me", becoming a double-sided country hit single. At the time of Gibson's death in 2003, the song had been recorded by more than 700 artists, most notably by Ray Charles, whose recording reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Are So Beautiful</span> 1974 single by Joe Cocker

"You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, The Kids & Me. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English singer Joe Cocker released a slower version of the song on his album I Can Stand a Little Rain. Cocker's version was produced by Jim Price, and released as a single in November 1974. It became Cocker's highest charting solo hit, peaking at number five on the United States' Billboard Hot 100, and at number four on Canada's Top Singles chart.

Sing (<i>Sesame Street</i> song) 1973 single by Carpenters

"Sing" is a 1971 song written by Joe Raposo for the children's television show Sesame Street as its signature song. In 1973, it gained popularity when performed by Carpenters, a #3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When a Man Loves a Woman (song)</span> 1966 single by Percy Sledge

"When a Man Loves a Woman" is a song written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright and first recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. Country singer John Wesley Ryles had a minor hit with his version of the song in 1976 while singer and actress Bette Midler recorded the song 14 years later and had a Top 40 hit with her version in 1980. In 1991, Michael Bolton recorded the song and his version peaked at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Good Care of My Baby</span> 1961 song by Bobby Vee

"Take Good Care of My Baby" is a song written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin. The song was made famous by Bobby Vee, when it was released in 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What a Fool Believes</span> 1978 song by Kenny Loggins; later recorded by The Doobie Brothers

"What a Fool Believes" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. The best-known version was recorded by the Doobie Brothers for their 1978 album Minute by Minute. Debuting at number 73 on January 20, 1979, the single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 14, 1979, for one week. The song received Grammy Awards in 1980 for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

<i>Unchain My Heart</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Joe Cocker

Unchain My Heart is the eleventh studio album by Joe Cocker, released in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roses Are Red (My Love)</span> 1962 single by Bobby Vinton

"Roses Are Red (My Love)" is a popular song composed by Al Byron and Paul Evans. It was recorded by Bobby Vinton, backed by Robert Mersey and his Orchestra, in New York City in February 1962, and released in April 1962, and the song was his first hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Love Can Break a Heart</span> 1962 single by Gene Pitney

"Only Love Can Break a Heart" is a popular song from 1962, performed by the American singer-songwriter Gene Pitney. The song was written by Hal David (words) and Burt Bacharach (music) and appears on Pitney's second album Only Love Can Break a Heart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Is Alive (Gary Wright song)</span> 1976 single by Gary Wright

"Love Is Alive" is a song by Gary Wright taken from the 1975 album The Dream Weaver. It features Wright on vocals and keyboards and Andy Newmark on drums, with all music except for the drums produced on the keyboards. The album's title cut and "Love Is Alive" both peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "Love Is Alive" spent 27 weeks on the chart, seven weeks longer than "Dream Weaver". Billboard ranked "Love Is Alive" as the No. 9 song of 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here We Go Again (Ray Charles song)</span> 1967 song by Ray Charles

"Here We Go Again" is a country music standard written by Don Lanier and Red Steagall that first became notable as a rhythm and blues single by Ray Charles from his 1967 album Ray Charles Invites You to Listen. It was produced by Joe Adams for ABC Records/Tangerine Records. To date, this version of the song has been the biggest commercial success, spending twelve consecutive weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 15.

"Darlin' Be Home Soon" is a song written by John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful for the soundtrack of the 1966 Francis Ford Coppola film You're a Big Boy Now. It appeared on the Lovin' Spoonful's 1967 soundtrack album You're a Big Boy Now. Sebastian performed his composition at Woodstock; it was the fourth song out of the five he performed at the 1969 music festival in White Lake, New York.

"Gotta Travel On" is an American folksong. The earliest known version was printed in Carl Sandburg's The American Songbag in 1927 under the title "Yonder Comes the High Sheriff" and several variations were recorded in the 1920s, but the best known version is credited to Paul Clayton, The Weavers, Larry Ehrlich, and Dave Lazer and was first recorded by Pete Seeger in 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooh Poo Pah Doo</span>

"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" is a song written and performed by Jessie Hill. It was arranged and produced by Allen Toussaint. The single reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 28 on the Hot 100 in 1960.

This is the discography of British new wave band Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Selvin, Joel. "Bobby Sharp's forsaken catalog of songs became 'Unchained' by twist of fate". SFGATE. Hearst. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  2. "Unchain My Heart by Trini Lopez". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  3. "Hollywood Preps Slew Of Music-Star Biographies". Billboard: 20. February 28, 2004. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  4. "Ray Charles – Unchain My Heart" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  5. "Ray Charles Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  6. "Ray Charles Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  8. "Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  9. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8671." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  10. "European Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 4, no. 48. December 5, 1987. p. 15.
  11. "Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  12. "Top 3 in Europe". Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 51/52. December 26, 1987. p. 39.
  13. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  14. "Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  15. "Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  16. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  17. "Joe Cocker Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Joe Cocker – Unchain My Heart". GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  19. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 9, no. 30. July 25, 1992. p. 13.
  20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  21. "Unchain My Heart by The Rivingtons". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  22. "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  23. "PASSINGS: Michael Parrish, Bobby Sharp". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  24. Billboard
  25. Perciaccante, Mike. "Hugh Laurie & The Copper Bottom Band". All About Jazz. Retrieved August 25, 2016.