The Unknowns (Mark Lindsay, Keith Allison, Steve Alaimo) - Melody For An Unknown Girl

[BethKey54]

Definitely, this is not Mark. My guess also is Steve Alaimo. I was Raider Fan #4's "little sister" ... on my deathbed I will know Mark's voice, for sure. Just as I will always know Drake Levin's voice ... Drake, Smitty, and my sister are having one great jam, I tell you!

[debikyle]

THANKS!!!!

[racar47]

listened again, actually it is the orchestra that comes back in on the mystery lines while he is singing, if someone had software to remix it, we could all know for sure.....

[racar47]

On the clearer version I mentioned, it is still difficult to distinguish the lyrics. The vocal matches the sax line and that is part of the problem. I thought he said "when our hearts were young", but I can clearly hear a sax note played and the word "free" being sung at the same time. Pretty sure the mystery lyric is "this tender melody, when our hearts were free, this is for an unknown girl, this is for an unknown girl".

[rmelin13231]

racar47 - I think you may have the questionable lyrics right on. Agree that's closer to what it sounds like. Well done!

[bze2nlz4]

@rmelin13231 racar47 won't see this unless you open a reply box to the right of his comment, fyi :)

[racar47]

@bze2nlz4 thanks.....readl all the replies

[racar47]

@rmelin13231 thanks....glad I could help. Big fan of Mark, Paul and The Raiders. Never knew this existed until last night. Glad it is on here.

[spacepatrolman]

@racar47 Isnt it steve alaimo singing

[racar47]

@spacepatrolman I have read what others posted that say it is. It doesn't sound like Mark Lindsay to me, so you must be correct.

[racar47]

There is a cleaner version from CD posted also. The vocals are a little clearer and sound like "My unknown girl, someday I'll step into her world, and I'll see her smiling back at me, this tender melody, when our hearts were free, this is for an unknown girl, this is for an unknown girl"

[bze2nlz4]

@racar47 It may have been cleaner vinyl, the Unknown's version was never transferred to cd or mp3. But thanks for the lyrics :)

[rmelin13231]

@racar47 Oops... I think you're right on with the lyrics. Agree that's a lot closer to what it sounds like. Well done (And thanks bze2nlz4)

[bze2nlz4]

@rmelin13231 You're welcome, and that other post is off a cd, but it's a bootleg. Too bad this gem wasn't remastered and put on a Raider's compilation!

[rmelin13231]

@bze2nlz4 I definitely agree, but my guess is that it wasn't released because of publishing rights in some fashion, as the Raiders release of the song was (in my opinion) inferior because it lacked the critical lyrics. Possibly the lyrics, or the extended lyrics, were written by one of the members who disapproved of publishing? Just a guess. It also may be because of an agreement that the 'Unknowns' signed when they recorded the song. Let's ask Mark Lindsay! :-) Anybody know him?

[bze2nlz4]

@rmelin13231 Wish I did!! There is a 'Conctact Me' link on his website...don't know if it works or not...so I guess it wouldn't hurt to try! Be sure to let me know if you did write him and got an answer ;-)

[rmelin13231]

@bze2nlz4 Well, I tried the 'contact me' and asked about the background of the song. I really don't have my hopes too high that a response is forthcoming, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

[rmelin13231]

One of my all-time favorite 45s. Anyone care to confirm or correct my lyrics?

For whoever you are, wherever you are, this song is for you. A melody for an unknown girl. Sometime, someplace, I know somewhere I'll see her face, and I'll sing to her this melody where she waits for me. My unknown girl, someday I'll step into her world, and I'll see her smiling back at me, just like a melody (?), and giver her heart to me (?). This is for an unknown girl. This is for an unknown girl.

[bze2nlz4]

@rmelin13231 Very good question! The phrase '..just like a melody' sound like it starts with the word 'please', and I can't understand the following line either! Unfortunately, the lyrics to this version (vs. the Raiders lp version) are impossible to locate. If I can find them, I'll let you know! :) Anyone??

[rmelin13231]

Exactly. I've tried to find lyrics, no luck. I thought maybe "just like a melody" sounded something like "extend a melody", which of course makes no sense. Could it be "please end a melody"? Nah, that wouldn't fit the beauty of the lyrics. The following line is also dubious. THANKS for sharing this. I have somewhat cleaner copies, if interested. Also have scratchier copies. Ha. Please do let me know if you find lyrics! Thanks again!

[racar47]

@rmelin13231 On the lyrics at the end that have everyone stumped, what I hear is "This tender melody, when our hearts were young, this is for an unknown girl, this is for an unknown girl". Hope this helps.

[wordsmystrys]

Thank you so much for sharing this; in all the years I have loved and played this song over and over on the "Midnight Ride" album, I never knew there were lyrics; they are so beautiful...you have just made a good memory even better. :o)

[bze2nlz4]

@wordsmystrys You are very welcome! I just found out about this record recently, and was so lucky to have found a copy :D

[Louiegohome]

Actually there are only 2 singles. The second single is "Tighter". There is a 3rd single by an unrelated group of the same name. I bought the 3rd one, thinking it was Mark & company. But it does not sound like them. Have confirmed same with Mark about 10 years ago.

[bze2nlz4]

@Louiegohome Ok, thanks for the info :)

[rslitman]

Another one of my subscriptions posted this one in the past week, too. That one didn't originally mention who the group members were. I then posted a comment that I was familiar with this song as done by Paul Revere & the Raiders with no sung vocals. The channel owner then responded with the names of the three guys. All three of them were regulars on the TV show "Where the Action Is" at the time. Keith Allison joined Lindsay in the Raiders a few years later.

[bze2nlz4]

@rslitman Yes, I even checked for it here a couple weeks ago when someone asked me if I had it to post. I used to watch 'WTAI' EVERY DAY after school, and it had been that long since I'd heard this version. So I found a place online that still had the 45 for about six bucks...the one you see in my vid. Too weird, I think TOMMYTOMA4 must have posted his literally the same day I ordered the record! That's ok, I'm glad I have this 45 now...I still keep all the special ones :)

[laura060366]

Fantastic! I did not know about this group either and what gorgeous pictures. You have made my day, Chris! Thank you!

[bze2nlz4]

@laura060366 Thank you Laura, I was so glad I was able to find this record...that made MY day, too!! :D

[1962drob]

Nice version of this Paul Revere & The Raiders song "Melody For An Unknown Girl''. Was not aware that Mark Lindsay did a side project with Keith Allison and Steve Alaimo as "The Unknowns''. Great rarity there! Thanks Chris for sharing this :)

[bze2nlz4]

@1962drob I just put this up :) Someone had requested it and I had forgotten all about this 'group'. Well, I went on a mission to find the 45 and got lucky. I absolutely love this version!

[1962drob]

@bze2nlz4 I don't blame you one bit :) This is, indeed a beautiful song. Actually, both version are nice!

By the way, great slide show Chris!