Songwriter Hy Zaret Dies

Lyricist Hy Zaret, who wrote the words to the classic "Unchained Melody," has died at the age of 99.

Zaret died at his home on Monday, one month shy of his 100th birthday, according to his son Robert Zaret.

He wrote the words to many songs and advertising jingles, but his best-known work is "Unchained Melody," one of the most recorded songs of the 20th Century. The song has been covered by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, U2, and Joni Mitchell. The most well known version was recorded by the Righteous Brothers in 1965.

The song was originally written in 1955 for the film "Unchained." It earned Zaret and Alex North, the composer, an Academy Award nomination for best song.

Later in life, Zaret disputed the claims of another man, William Stirrat, who claimed to be the original writer behind the hit song. The dispute was resolved in favor of Zaret, who continued to receive all royalties.