“Jive Talkin’” by the Bee Gees

The Fun Song Friday column takes one final turn on the dancefloor with the Gibb brothers.

It's the end of the week, and I want to send everyone off into the weekend with the best vibes possible. That’s why the Daily Music Picks newsletter features a weekly segment called Fun Song Fridays! Regardless of era, genre, or style, the criterion is simple: it must deliver the joy and excitement we all need in our lives.

You can access the entire Fun Song Fridays archive here. While you’re at it, add the companion playlist to your favorite streaming platform.

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Today’s music sends this recurring column off into the sunset with a Bee Gees track that carries a lot of emotional weight in my life.

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Genre: Pop, R&B, Funk

Label: RSO

Release Date: June 1, 1975

Vibe: 🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩

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👉 Click the GIF to stream the album on your favorite platform 👈

I have my father to thank for my love of disco, funk, R&B, soul, and retro pop music. It was through his taste that I was introduced to artists like the Spinners, Tavares, Donna Summer, Barry White, Kool & the Gang, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, Chic, KC & the Sunshine Band, and many others that I’ve covered in this newsletter before. One of my fondest childhood memories was sitting and watching a PBS special dedicated to the best of 70s and 80s soul hits. I remember it like it was yesterday: Whoopi Goldberg introduced all the archival video clips—many of which were from programs like Soul Train and The Midnight Special—and I sat there spellbound. The choreography, the matching outfits, the immaculate vibes. During the program, my dad and I didn’t really talk all that much. We just sat together, engrossed by the music, entirely on the same wavelength. It was a watershed moment in my musical education, one I’ll treasure forever.

At some point during that program, they played “Jive Talkin’,” the best disco/funk-hybrid the Bee Gees released before Saturday Night Fever. I knew they were his favorite group. My younger brother and I used to make these CD mixtapes for family road trips (this was before streaming, in the immediate aftermath of the original Napster) and included several Bee Gees tracks on them for his benefit. Whenever the Gibb brothers’ voices floated or shrieked out of the car’s stereo system, the volume got demonstrably louder. I also remember a cassette copy of the trio’s 1997 Las Vegas live album having a permanent spot in the dash of his car back in the day. So, anyway, the Bee Gees are his thing. When the “Jive Talkin’” clip started, I glanced over at him, and sure enough, the feet were tapping, and the neck muscles were working overtime. He and I were both overtaken by that iconic groove. How could we not be?

Years later, I’m three or so months away from getting married, and my now-wife and I are meeting with our DJ, a guy I’ve known for nearly 15 years. As we scrolled through initial playlist ideas, the conversation turned to what kind of music would get the wedding party, particularly our parents, up and dancing. The first words out of my mouth were, “If you play the Bee Gees, my dad will get out on the dancefloor for sure.” He and I nodded knowingly on the Zoom call and shortlisted a few of their songs, including this one. As we chatted, the memories of that PBS special came flooding back, and for a few seconds, I definitely wasn’t paying attention to the next question. I was too busy reminiscing.

Cut to the night of the reception. Dinner’s almost done, and our guests are ready to let loose. Our DJ starts to transition into some mid-tempo funk grooves to coax people out of their chairs and, in some cases, to the bar for a refill. At some point during that section of his set, “Jive Talkin’” slinks out of the speakers. I pick it out and immediately glance over at the table where our wedding party is sitting. My dad is sitting there, smiling, and, in an instant, I see the groove take over once again. The shouts of encouragement start for him to get up and dance. I could feel the energy of that night kick into another gear. All thanks to Barry, Robin, and Maurice.

PS: If you’re a fan of the Bee Gees, 70s music in general, and the power of family, do yourself a favor and watch the recent HBO documentary on the group. It’s so touching that you may be left with a tear in your eye by the end. I know I was.