Does time go by slowly, or does it go fast? There’s an expression, “The days are long, but the years are short.” In our clearest, most private moments, we know the truth: that in all the time we are given, we yearn for love—the one thing that, beyond the pleasures of this beautiful world, makes life worth living. Time can do so much. How much of it do we want to spend it in the gorgeous, agonized heartbreak that this song reminds us of, and how much in taking up the noble work of clearing a path to love?

The Righteous Brothers (Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley), "Unchained Melody," 1965. Written in 1955, music by Alex North, lyrics by Hy Zaret.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to May 31, 2025.

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