About the song
The Righteous Brothers’ “Soul & Inspiration” is a quintessential ballad that showcases the duo’s powerful vocal performances and their ability to deliver deeply emotional music. Released in 1966, this track stands as a testament to their mastery of the soul and pop genres, which they seamlessly blended throughout their career.
The song was penned by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, a songwriting team famous for their numerous hits during the 1960s. Their craft is evident in “Soul & Inspiration,” where the lyrics express a profound sense of romantic devotion and longing. The heartfelt composition reflects the theme of a love so deep that it becomes the very essence of one’s emotional and spiritual life.
The production of “Soul & Inspiration” benefits from the legendary Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound” technique, which enhances the track with its rich, orchestral arrangements. This production style helped create a lush, immersive sound that became a signature of the era’s pop music.
Upon its release, “Soul & Inspiration” achieved impressive chart success. It soared to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing the song’s widespread appeal and the strong connection it established with listeners. Its success on the charts solidified The Righteous Brothers’ place in music history as one of the premier duos of the 1960s.
In summary, “Soul & Inspiration” is a standout track that highlights The Righteous Brothers’ remarkable vocal talents and their ability to convey deep emotional sentiments through music. With its evocative lyrics, rich production, and significant chart success, the song remains a beloved classic and a testament to the enduring appeal of The Righteous Brothers’ music.
Video
Lyrics
Girl, I can’t let you do this
Let you walk away
Girl, how can I live through this?
When you’re all I wake up for each day, baby
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
You’re all I got to get me by
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
Without you, baby, what good am I?
I never had much going
But at least I had you
How can you walk out knowing
I ain’t got nothing left if you do, baby?
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
You’re all I got to get me by
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
Without you, baby, what good am I?
Oh, what good am I?
Baby, I can’t make it without you
And I’m, I’m telling you, honey
You’re my reason for laughing, for crying
For living and for dying
Baby, I can’t make it without you
Please, I’m begging you, baby
If you go, it will kill me, I swear it
Girl, I just can’t bear it
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
You’re all I got to get me by
You’re my soul and my heart’s inspiration
Without you, baby, what good am I?
What good am I?
Mm, mm, mm, mm (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Ooh, mm, mm, mm, mm (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)