12. Lonely Days! Lonely nights. Where would I be without my woman. 13. Jive Talkin' (The first of their string of disco/dance hits) If anyone ever wants to see them live the PBS special is shear perfection!
The Gibbs are a perfect example of a musical organization that knew both how to change with the times and to influence them. From their Beatles-styled harmonies in the '60s to their unrivaled status as disco kings in the '70s to their ability to craft hits for performers in a wide variety of styles in the 1980s, their musical legacy is unique and ever enduring.
Wow, this was fantastic Matt! It's easy to forget, so many years later, how brilliant the Bee Gees' songwriting was, both for their own songs and others. Thanks for reminding me of that brilliance.
Interesting, as I was listening to the intro to Heartbreaker, I very much caught a bit of a "Woman in Love" vibe, not something I'd ever heard before. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is one of my favorite Bee Gees songs but I'd never heard the Al Green version. It's absolutely superb. Have to say, I had no clue "Islands in the Stream" was penned by the Bee Gees. What a brilliant song! I'd completely forgotten about "Massachusetts" so this took me right back to five-year old me in the mid 70s listening to some of my dad's records on a little briefcase turntable. It hasn't lost any of its emotional weight in the last five decades.
If I had to pick an absolute favorite, it would probably be "Tragedy" as I damn near played the grooves off that album, one of the first I ever purchased with my own money.
I've always loved all their hits, especially "Stayin' Alive" (pay attention to the lyrics). But I really enjoyed the two hits they wrote for Yvonne Elliman -- "Love Me" and "If I Can't Have You."
GOAT of them all! Did you dice into the documentary with Barry? While bros recorded some of the greatest hits ever, he claims that it’s the songwriting that really made their legacy. I agree. Even with Andy Gibb—who happened to be my first commercial concert!! 🎶
Yes! I straight up cried at the end of that HBO doc man, it was so sad to hear him talk about his brothers like that. This article honestly could’ve gone on for double the word count, but I do need to sleep sometimes (unfortunately). Also, please share what that Andy Gibb show was like.
"How Deep Is Your Love" is just insane songwriting. The melody, the pre chorus, and the chorus just stack hooks on hooks on hooks.
Any one of those would be enough for just one classic song, but they just had to flex
Casual flexing all day errrrday
12. Lonely Days! Lonely nights. Where would I be without my woman. 13. Jive Talkin' (The first of their string of disco/dance hits) If anyone ever wants to see them live the PBS special is shear perfection!
Yes!! 100% agree RE: the PBS special. I believe it’s still floating around on YouTube (you may have to VPN it to watch, but it exists).
A criminally underrated Bee Gees song is "This Is Where I Came In" (2001).
Heartbreaker is my personal Gibbs bros GOAT, thanks for putting it in your list
I would add Stayin’ Alive and You Win Again
You Win Again is criminally underrated. Cheers 😊
New York Mining Disaster 1941. Don’t know why, always been a favorite.
The Gibbs are a perfect example of a musical organization that knew both how to change with the times and to influence them. From their Beatles-styled harmonies in the '60s to their unrivaled status as disco kings in the '70s to their ability to craft hits for performers in a wide variety of styles in the 1980s, their musical legacy is unique and ever enduring.
Perfectly said. Thanks David!
Alone.
First Of May. 😢😢💔
Wow, this was fantastic Matt! It's easy to forget, so many years later, how brilliant the Bee Gees' songwriting was, both for their own songs and others. Thanks for reminding me of that brilliance.
Interesting, as I was listening to the intro to Heartbreaker, I very much caught a bit of a "Woman in Love" vibe, not something I'd ever heard before. "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is one of my favorite Bee Gees songs but I'd never heard the Al Green version. It's absolutely superb. Have to say, I had no clue "Islands in the Stream" was penned by the Bee Gees. What a brilliant song! I'd completely forgotten about "Massachusetts" so this took me right back to five-year old me in the mid 70s listening to some of my dad's records on a little briefcase turntable. It hasn't lost any of its emotional weight in the last five decades.
If I had to pick an absolute favorite, it would probably be "Tragedy" as I damn near played the grooves off that album, one of the first I ever purchased with my own money.
Such great memories, thanks for chiming in with those! “Tragedy” absolutely rips.
This is great. A pleasant surprise. Don't forget Andy Gibb. Shadow Dancing. This was the work of all the brothers together.
https://youtu.be/bTDJyQqbYCA?si=HiFNgroRHSy6QXl1
(And yes. His death a "tragedy".)
2. I Would do Anything to be Your Everything:
https://youtu.be/j5z5a3Mm1yg?si=VmnyDATwiL3nAtPM
I've always loved all their hits, especially "Stayin' Alive" (pay attention to the lyrics). But I really enjoyed the two hits they wrote for Yvonne Elliman -- "Love Me" and "If I Can't Have You."
Yes!! Those two tracks are excellent. An embarrassment of riches, as this comment section has established 👌
I'd add "Tragedy" and "Guilty" although I think the latter may have been written only by Barry.
Tragedy was the last one cut in editing 😭
Damn, that's an impressive case for the Gibbs' songwriting skills!
Right?? Thanks for reading :)
GOAT of them all! Did you dice into the documentary with Barry? While bros recorded some of the greatest hits ever, he claims that it’s the songwriting that really made their legacy. I agree. Even with Andy Gibb—who happened to be my first commercial concert!! 🎶
Yes! I straight up cried at the end of that HBO doc man, it was so sad to hear him talk about his brothers like that. This article honestly could’ve gone on for double the word count, but I do need to sleep sometimes (unfortunately). Also, please share what that Andy Gibb show was like.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
That Andy show is quite the story. I’ll have to get my bearings for it. But it’s a funny tale.
If I ever start a podcast, please come by and share the anecdote :)
How Deep is Your Love is #1
“Living Together” gives me goosebumps. The way the beginning slowly materializes. The hook. The way the song catches you. That’s what music is about.
❤️