Tune or No Tune - Unchained Melody by Gareth Gates

[Corki]

With the conclusion of August's theme of "One Hit Wonders" last week, swe are looking at a new theme for September in the Band for our activities, including "Tune or No Tune". All you need to do is decide whether the song I have chosen is a TUNE (i.e. you love it) or a NO TUNE (i.e. you hate it). Quite simple, really!

 

And September's theme is a month of covers, as voted by you. There are plenty of songs that fall into this category. And for the first "Tune or No Tune" of September, I am picking a song that dates back to 1955, and has scored a Christmas Number 1 in the UK, as well as being made extremely popular by a Reality TV Pop Star show contest. I am, of course, speaking about Unchained Melody. And I am going with the Reality TV version by Gareth Gates for this week's "Tune or No Tune".

 

Unchained Melody was originally used for the relatively unknown 1955 film Unchained with Todd Duncan singing the vocals. Other artists to cover the song include Phil Spector in 1965( credited to the Righteous Brothers), Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow and Robson & Green (the UK Christmas number 1 in 1995).

 

Gareth Gates released his version in 2002 after finishing up as the runner-up on Pop Idol. It went straight to number 1, where it stayed for 4 weeks, with 13 weeks in the top 40. Unchained Melody's popularity is not confined to covers - it features heavily on lists for love songs, with it topping polls for TV shows on Channel 4 and 5 in the UK.

 

As as song, I like Unchained Melody. I think Gareth Gates does a good job of the song, and that is saying something as I dislike most reality TV "popstars". As a result, I give Unchained Melody by Gareth Gates the vote of TUNE. I have also included Robson & Jerome's version, which I think is a better cover.

Just remember you are voting on the Gareth Gates' version! ;)

 

For those of you who haven't heard the song, here is a link to YouTube.

 

(Gareth Gates - vote on this one!)

(Robson & Jerome)

 

The poll closes in a week's time, which is Monday 7th September 2009. So make sure you vote now before the time for the latest "Tune or No Tune" poll finishes!

 

Also, if you want to suggest a tune for "Tune or No Tune", do not hesitate to drop me a PM.

[Corki]

Banders, Please Note:

 

Voting in "Tune or No Tune" threads counts towards posting in an activity thread for points gained through the roll call. However, in order for that to qualify, you need to post that you voted. Otherwise you won't get the recognition or the ORG points via the roll call.

 

Corki

Marshal-General

ORG Leader

[a pale tanned lover]

Gareth Gates? I refuse to listen just on principle  :D

No Tune

[Krakalakachkn]

TUNE

 

I don't have a previous prejudice against Gareth Gates, probably because I don't know anything about him.  I was surprised to find out that it was a guy singing this...

[Talya]

This is dificult, I love the song but don't like the singer. The original was best so, NO TUNE

[mottlee]

i'm going to have to so no tune after hearing the original the cover just doesn't do it 

[Arrandion]

I prefer original version. NO TUNE

[el Nynaeve]

Don't like Gareth Gates or anything by him, cover or not.

 

No Tune

[dragonlover]

no tune, original much better

[Krakalakachkn]

I changed my vote to NO TUNE.

 

Gates butchered the song.  I didn't realize his was a cover of the song.  Simply terrible