Rate-O-Rama: You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling

Rate-O-Rama : Songmania is a reader participation game.

About once a week I will publish a Rate-O-Rama article which will feature two or three versions of a popular song.

The object is to listen to each of the music videos provided within the post.

After listening to each video you can rate each song in the comments section below.

(You must be a member to comment. If you are not a member you can join Vocal Media for FREE. You don’t ever have to pay for membership unless you choose to upgrade your membership)

The rating method is easy. Simply give each song a rating of 1 to 100.

(The more you like the song the higher the rating).

If possible, please provide a brief comment explaining the reasoning behind your ratings for each song.

After a week or so I will tally the ratings and in the next Rate-O-Rama post I will announce the winner from the previous post.

The winners will be determined on a percentage scale.

If you wish to receive a notice when the next Rate-O-Rama post is published please mention that you would like a notification in the comments section.

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The first edition of Songmania features three renditions of the classic song: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling."

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Righteous Brothers (1964)

Written by luminaries Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Will, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" topped the charts in 1964 for the Righteous Brothers. Their haunting rendition is considered the definitive version of the song.

A young Cher helped with the vocal crescendo on The Righteous Brother's rendition. She has previously did backing vocals on other Phil Spector productions.

Tell us what you think about this song!!! Is it your favorite of the three?

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Human League (1979)

Human League reached massive worldwide fame with their 1981 mega-hit "Don't You Want Me."

From Human League's debut album Reproduction, the song "You've Lost That Loving Feeling," is presented as part of a medley of with a dramatic somewhat dissonant song called "Morale." At the time, some DJs separated the songs and created a six and a half minute version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling." This version worked extremely well as a standalone song. Despite being a fan favorite, Human League never released it as a single.

Ethereally gothic. Chillingly electronic. Could this rendition be the long shot favorite?

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Daryl Hall and John Oates (1980)

Daryl Hall and John Oates gave the song a new wave rock ballad treatment which is very likable. The electric guitar parts are screaming great and the bass lines bring some spicy heat to the mix. My favorite are the handclaps during the bridge… and yes to Daryl Hall's powerful lead vocals.

Is this polished modern rock rendition your cup of tea?

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My ratings are:

Righteous Brothers: 99

Human League: 96

Daryl Hall and John Oates: 92

Before listening to these videos, I was apt to give Hall and Oates my highest rating on this song. I was a big Hall and Oates fan from 1977 to 1981. But the sheer quality in Bobby Hatfield's and Bill Medley's voices is amazing. The part ¾ of the way into the song where they're howling their vocal parts is totally intense and so far ahead of their time. So they had to prevail. But then came Human League???

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I gave The Righteous Brothers a 99 out of 100 because this is the perfectly produced pop record. From the vocals to the ambience it is flawless. But we wouldn't expect anything less from a Phil Spector production at the time.

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Surprisingly I gave Human League a higher rating than Hall and Oates. Human League got a 96 out of 100. I rated this song highly because the synthesizers are precise and seamless. Human League's early works (before "Don't You Want Me") defined them as leaders and innovators in electronic music. I am an artist and I will always hear, see, feel and bond with the arty artsy side of existence. Human League fulfills a rebellious nature of my arty side. You know the old saying one person's art is another person's trash. Well, to me this song is art.

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I gave Hall and Oates a 90 out of 100 because I love their sound. The vocals are tight and the guitars are rock and roll. What's not to love a top notch pop-rock production.

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I gave all three renditions a rating in the 90s as I feel each one excels in their own right. But you may see it differently.

Your views and ratings are welcome in the comments section!!!

Let's have fun sharing our own unique perspectives on these diverse recordings of this classic tune!!!

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With Love, RHC