The Righteous Brothers, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’”. Phillies, 1964.

From ABC’s variety show Shindig!, 1966. Suggests to me that Phil Spector’s philosophy of individual restraint might have been a hindrance to these guys, even as his arrangements were typically spot-on. Allowed more leeway with their performances, Bill Medley (singing lead) and Bobby Hatfield, armored in black ties and Murray’s, soundly trump their takes on the original single — walking coolly through choreography, and accompanied by carefully frenzied bursts of female fanfare. Bill Medley’s cheekbones are a worthy entry in the heroin hall of fame. Then there’s Bobby Hatfield, nonchalantly introducing that soaring backup vocal for the bridge, and decorating it with flourishes that accomplish the unlikely task of bridging Fred Astaire and Jackie Wilson. This ought to be the definitive document of the song (sorry, Lee Hazlewood).