17 ballots received, thanks to everyone who voted! Eligible songs included any tracks written (either in part or in whole) or performed by the Bee Gees at any point throughout their 4-decade career. Even with such a small voting pool, there was not a single song that appeared on every ballot. And nowwwwww......
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 15:50 (11 months ago) Permalink
50. Woman in Love (writers: Barry and Robin Gibb)Performed by Barbra Streisand on her 1980 album "Guilty"http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ys7l_barbara-streisand-woman-in-love_music
After the success enjoyed by the Bee Gees in the late 1970s, the band was asked to participate in musical endeavors for other artists, and Streisand asked Barry Gibb to write an album for her.[2] This album ultimately became Guilty. "Woman in Love", as the lead single, became one of the most successful songs of Streisand's music career. It spent a total of three weeks at the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Streisand's fifth (and last to date) number one on this chart. It also spent five weeks atop the adult contemporary chart, her sixth number one on that tally.[3] The song also proved very popular internationally, reaching number one in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
About midway through the song, Streisand holds a note for about 10 seconds while singing the line: I stumble and fall / But I give you it all (the word "all" is the one held for that duration). During the chart run of "Woman In Love", Casey Kasem claimed in an edition of the radio program American Top 40 that this was the longest unaltered note held by a soloist in a number-one song[citation needed], though it would be later surpassed by Whitney Houston in her smash single "I Will Always Love You".
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 15:53 (11 months ago) Permalink
sorry, I dunno how to embed non-youtube videos :(
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 15:57 (11 months ago) Permalink
oh also34 points (2 votes)
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 15:58 (11 months ago) Permalink
49. (Love is) Thicker Than Water (writers: Barry and Andy Gibb)36 points (1 vote)
1977 7" single, the second of four consecutive US Number 1 singles penned by Barry Gibb (a feat unmatched to this day by any other writer)
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 16:04 (11 months ago) Permalink
Off to an interesting start! I'm not really familiar with their work for other artists, so this is shaping up to be very educational!
― cwkiii, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:27 (11 months ago) Permalink
btw Shakey how many results will you be revealing today?
I'm so glad this poll finally LIVES!
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:29 (11 months ago) Permalink
This poll will live forever.
― cwkiii, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:30 (11 months ago) Permalink
i'm going to get a lot out of these results.
― charlie h, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:32 (11 months ago) Permalink
thinking of going the bottom 20 today
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 16:32 (11 months ago) Permalink
TIE49. A Very Special Day (Writer: Robin Gibb)36 points (2 votes)
A cut from the second, unreleased Robin Gibb solo album from 1970 (the first being "Robin's Reign"). Reviewed here.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 16:35 (11 months ago) Permalink
Less votes = more obscurities! Fun.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:36 (11 months ago) Permalink
TIE48. Chain Reaction (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)37 points (2 votes)
Performed by Diana Ross, with the Bee Gees providing backing vocals. Released on the album "Eaten Alive" (1985). The single became her first #1 single in the UK since I'm Still Waiting in 1971, and was her last appearance on the Billboard Hot 100.
48. Throw a Penny (Writers: Barry and Robin Gibb)37 points (3 votes)
The second single from the Bee Gees' 1974 album "Mr. Natural". Only released in the U.S., the single did not chart and continued a series of unsuccessful singles for The Bee Gees during this time. In the liner notes for the Tales from the Brothers Gibb box set, Barry Gibb commented on this song by saying "Where are we going?"
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 16:41 (11 months ago) Permalink
appreciate the explanatory blurbs. feel like this thread will remain a really useful tool for those of us who need to explore the catalog further.
― some dude, Monday, 18 June 2012 16:42 (11 months ago) Permalink
47. An Everlasting Love (Writers: Barry Gibb)38 points (2 votes)
From Andy Gibb's 1978 album "Shadow Dancing", with Barry providing vocals and an orchestral arrangement as well. Reached No. 5 in America.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 16:52 (11 months ago) Permalink
Interesting that so far most are recorded-by-other-artists tracks
― Lee626, Monday, 18 June 2012 17:01 (11 months ago) Permalink
46. Black Diamond (Writers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb)39 points (2 votes)
The first track recorded for the Bee Gees' 1969 album "Odessa". Largely performed by the twins with Robin singing lead and harmony and playing the piano and mellotron, and Maurice providing backing vocals, bass, piano, guitar, and Mellotron. (Drums provided by their erstwhile drummer Colin Petersen). An ostensible "deep cut", never issued as a single.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 17:09 (11 months ago) Permalink
Odessa is SO FUCKING GOOD!
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 17:16 (11 months ago) Permalink
TIE45. Seven Seas Symphony (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)40 points (1 first place vote)
One of three instrumental, orchestral tracks released on the Bee Gees' 1969 album "Odessa".
45. Don't Throw It All Away (Our Love)(Writers: Barry Gibb, Blue Weaver)40 points (3 votes)
Originally released as the third single from Andy Gibb's 1978 album "Shadow Dancing", reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Andy Gibb's version of the song added a bridge section not on the original Bee Gees' version. The Bee Gees version of the song was recorded in 1977 during the sessions for Saturday Night Fever, but was not released until the compilation Bee Gees Greatest 1979. Singer/actress Jennifer Love Hewitt also covered the song on her 1996 self-titled album.
45. Indian Gin and Whisky Dry (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)40 points (2 votes)
A "deep cut" from the Bee Gees' 1968 album "Idea".
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 17:35 (11 months ago) Permalink
I should've voted for Chain Reaction and Woman In Love, glad they got a placing here
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 June 2012 17:53 (11 months ago) Permalink
according to wikipedia the bros were initially worried that "Chain Reaction" was too "motown" for Diana and they were hesitant to offer it to her
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 17:57 (11 months ago) Permalink
the great thing is it still sounds like a Bee Gees song - like she's a guest singer.
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 June 2012 17:58 (11 months ago) Permalink
44. I Laugh in Your Face (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)41 points (2 votes)
Another non-single cut from the Bee Gees' 1969 album "Odessa".
a personal opinion - I didn't vote for this song but it is great in its oddness, one of the things the bros excelled at. Just the idea of having a big melodic pop song with the vocal hook being "I laugh in your face" is awesome.
The circus is coming to see youThe elephant smilesEv’rybody can hear you say that’s out of styleMy brother is friendly for reasons, if I am the sameJust for four hundred seasons we all live in rain
So I laugh in your face. you're only one raceYes I laugh in your face and I’m rightYou lie just like the rest. but there’s nobody bestSo I laugh in your face and I’m right
I’ll pull out your plug so your smallYou’ll slide down the drainOn the steps of st. peter’s you all look the same
So I laugh in your face. you're only one raceYes I laugh in your face and I’m rightYou lie just like the rest but there’s nobody bestSo I laugh in your face and I’m right
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 18:09 (11 months ago) Permalink
My first to place!
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:12 (11 months ago) Permalink
TIE43. Kilburn Towers (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)42 points (2 votes)
Non-single cut from the Bee Gees' 1968 album "Idea".
43. Edge of the Universe (Writers: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb)42 points (2 votes)
From the Bee Gees' 1975 album "Main Course, and released as the b-side to the "Nights on Broadway" single. Recorded on the same day as "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)" and "Jive Talkin'".
43. Nobody's Someone (Writers: 42 points (2 votes)
Originally recorded for inclusion on 1969's "Odessa" but shelved until the 2009 3-CD deluxe reissue.
43. Please Read Me (Writers: Barry and Robin Gibb)42 points (2 votes)
From the 1967 album "Bee Gees 1st" (actually their third, but their first international release following their arrival in the UK). Also covered by Nina Simone on her 1968 album "'Nuff Said". Note: The brothers often spoke of their hits from "Bee Gees 1st" as having been written by all three rather than what was shown on the official writing credit.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 18:35 (11 months ago) Permalink
lotsa ties itt!
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Monday, 18 June 2012 18:38 (11 months ago) Permalink
Wow @ Nobody's Someone making it!
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:41 (11 months ago) Permalink
yeah the ties kind of level off once we get to tracks that received more than a couple votes
glad to see Please Read Me place, such a striking Beatles-pastiche - sounds like a Rubber Soul outtake.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 18:43 (11 months ago) Permalink
I'm glad you're scoring on a liberal tie method (thus including many more songs in the "top 50").
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:47 (11 months ago) Permalink
(I don't do that in my own polls, but this poll is all about exposure)
Somebody voted "Seven Seas Symphony" as their #1? Wow!
This is off to an intriguing start!
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:54 (11 months ago) Permalink
hurrah to the other "Seven Seas Symphony" voter (my #1)
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:56 (11 months ago) Permalink
just to be clear, you were the lone voter for that one Euler
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 18:59 (11 months ago) Permalink
dammit, well, you are all wrong
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 18:59 (11 months ago) Permalink
I laugh in your face
LOL
Spotify playlist -- collaborative if I fail to keep up while at work.
http://open.spotify.com/user/124420673/playlist/54TCvvJ2yOMoYxl2fu6mQ5
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:02 (11 months ago) Permalink
I had a chance to listen to a fair bit of material for this poll in the end, & it's funny how bad they were as lyricists until the disco era. Like the Odessa songs, which I love, are pure nonsense lyrically.
e.g.
Your lips could never show a smileYou never tried, you just put me in a fileI never lived inside your hole, childI thought you needed me, I never had no styleNever say, never say never againNever say, never say never againYou said goodbye, I declared war on SpainNever say, never say never againYour eyes could never show a grinYou never tried, you just put me in a tinI never lived inside your hole childYou know I needed you and look at the shape I'm inNever say, never say never againNever say, never say never againYou said goodbye, I declared war on SpainNever say, never say never again
Never say, never say never againNever say, never say never againYou said goodbye, I declared war on SpainNever say, never say never again
Your eyes could never show a grinYou never tried, you just put me in a tinI never lived inside your hole childYou know I needed you and look at the shape I'm in
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:03 (11 months ago) Permalink
song's a jam btw
oh I see Shakey already posted the "I Laugh In Your Face" lyric for similar effect
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:04 (11 months ago) Permalink
"You said goodbye I declared war on Spain" is a great lyric fuiud
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:09 (11 months ago) Permalink
Yes, love their nonsense lyricsSort of a cross between a teenager's idea of poetry with added self-conscious psychedelic weirdness
― buzza, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:12 (11 months ago) Permalink
not that I'm denying their penchant for nonsense... but I see them as keeping pace with Donovan and the Beatles and the Move et al in terms of going for this silly/surreal material. I think where it gets weird is that the Gibbs didn't really draw a line between their nonsense and their more earnest melodrama, often they're combined in the same song. And then occasionally they'd hit these story-in-song type things (like NY Mining Disaster or Gotta Get A Message to You) where the juxtaposition of bizarre historical details and genuine pathos actually complement each other.
xp
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:17 (11 months ago) Permalink
I love them too, as sung, but they scan hilariously.
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:17 (11 months ago) Permalink
"You said goodbye I declared war on Spain" is like some Wes Anderson dialogue
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:18 (11 months ago) Permalink
just reread the "Odessa" lyric & it's another doozy. something about an iceberg & a ship sinking & the Vicar? is "Odessa" the name of the ship? I constructed a story for the album, making it a concept album, about Stalin in Baku, but I dunno, 1899, maybe it's like Tommy, who can put that together.
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:22 (11 months ago) Permalink
lol yeah Odessa is very wtf. there was no HMS Veronica iirc.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:24 (11 months ago) Permalink
would totally watch a staged opera of "Odessa" - would open with the shipwreck, maybe killing the parents of a child who lives in Barry's orphanage in Marley Purt Drive, Edison shows up and plays some records, kid escapes from the orphanage and falls in love with Melody Fair, she ditches him, he declares war on Spain, then Xmas and oops I'm old it's the 1st of May what have I done with my life
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Monday, 18 June 2012 19:30 (11 months ago) Permalink
also there's a song sung around a lamppost in there somewher
ends with a huge international number, lots of flags
― Euler, Monday, 18 June 2012 19:31 (11 months ago) Permalink
and yeah the Otis thing... man, what a loss.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:29 (11 months ago) Permalink
songs that received at least 2 votes but didn't place:
When the Swallows FlyLamplightIdeaJulietteDogsKathy's GoneOneDown The RoadLove So RightMy ThingThe Worst Girl in This TownAlonePlease Don't Turn Out the LightsBoys Do Fall In Love Morning of My Life
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:32 (11 months ago) Permalink
Thanks for running this poll, Shakey Mo.
― Jeff W, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:37 (11 months ago) Permalink
Yeah, this was great fun...even if we had to bully people into participating!
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:39 (11 months ago) Permalink
I think it's definitely among the best of their early period material.
Regardless, Shakey, this was awesome. Thanks for pushing this thing through to the finish line.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:39 (11 months ago) Permalink
my pleasure. I hope it makes some new fans, at least. it is very strange to me that such a huge/seminal act is so underappreciated by an (ostensible) community of music nerds.
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:40 (11 months ago) Permalink
whyyyyyyyyyyyy didn't I vote for To Love Somebody
oversight of the century holy shit
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:43 (11 months ago) Permalink
but yay it made #1 without me
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:44 (11 months ago) Permalink
So which song appeared on the most total ballots, regardless of placement?
― hutlock, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:46 (11 months ago) Permalink
Backtafunk
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:47 (11 months ago) Permalink
Also, Primal Scream covered "To Love Somebody" at the Cleveland gig on their Screamadelica tour back in the day. I got to meet/greet/etc. (ahem) with them afterwards and I gushed all over Bobby Gillespie about them playing a Bee Gees tune and he had no idea -- said that they learned it from Gram Parsons.
Perfect.
― hutlock, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:48 (11 months ago) Permalink
Looks like "Nights on Broadway" with 14.
― Johnny Fever, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:50 (11 months ago) Permalink
yep
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:50 (11 months ago) Permalink
That's cool - I'm still baffled/impressed that there wasn't one single tune that made all the ballots. I would have thought at least one (maybe more like 5) of the big hits would have, considering there were only 17 voters. Speaks well to the depth of the catalog for sure.
― hutlock, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:53 (11 months ago) Permalink
yeah I think that's entirely down to them having four decades of material
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:57 (11 months ago) Permalink
...and only 17 people voting probably.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:01 (11 months ago) Permalink
nah more voters would have meant even less ballot uniformity
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:05 (11 months ago) Permalink
Wait, right.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:08 (11 months ago) Permalink
Naive Teen Idol, math major. :-)
― hutlock, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:13 (11 months ago) Permalink
Not enough of a Bee Gees fan to vote but enough of one to be enormously grateful to Shakey for this poll. I've put it all into a Spotify playlist and I'm looking forward to going through the non-hits.
― Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:37 (11 months ago) Permalink
You mind sharing it?
Thanks from me too, Shakey. I hate it when people say they didn't vote because ... but that was me here - I'd've been voting for the SNF stuff and nothing else, and figured the poll didn't need me ignorantly boostering just their best-known hits.
I wasn't even going to open the thread, but I'm glad I did. The fun facts with entry were a great idea.
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:46 (11 months ago) Permalink
I'm looking forward to going through the non-hits.
that should cut the list down to about 6 songs :)
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:47 (11 months ago) Permalink
Final results
1. To Love Somebody2. Nights on Broadway3. More Than a Woman 4. How Deep is Your Love5. Jive Talkin'6. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart7. Stayin' Alive8. If I Can’t Have You9. I Started A Joke10. Night Fever11. Mr. Natural12. Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)13. Islands In The Stream14. Massachusetts15. I've Gotta Get A Message To You16. New York Mining Disaster 194117. You Should Be Dancing18. You Win Again19. Tragedy20. Heartbreaker21. Melody Fair22. Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Show You23. Spicks & Specks24. Run To Me25. Emotion26. Lonely Days27. Holiday27. Spirits Having Flown28. Love You Inside Out29. World30. Lemons Never Forget31. I Just Want To Be Your Everything32. Words33. Grease34. Trafalgar35. Odessa (City on the Black Sea)36. Too Much Heaven37. **TIE** I Can't See Nobody, Sweet Song of Summer, Guilty38. Paradise39. Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself40. For Whom the Bell Tolls41. The Flag I Flew42. Shadow Dancing43. **TIE** Kilburn Towers, Edge of the Universe, Nobody's Someone,Please Read Me44. I Laugh in Your Face45. **TIE** Indian Gin And Whisky Dry, (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away, Seven Seas Symphony46. Black Diamond47. An Everlasting Love48. **TIE** Throw a Penny, Chain Reaction49. **TIE** A Very Special Day, (Love is) Thicker Than Water50. Woman in Love
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:51 (11 months ago) Permalink
Playlist here. I know almost the entire Top 20, then it gets a bit spotty. Never got around to Odessa, Trafalgar, etc.
spoti.fi/M6rCfH
― Get wolves (DL), Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:54 (11 months ago) Permalink
Thanks!
― Ismael Klata, Wednesday, 20 June 2012 22:04 (11 months ago) Permalink
*25. Emotion (Writers: Barry and Robin Gibb)104 points (5 votes)*
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 21 June 2012 03:43 (11 months ago) Permalink
"Spicks and Specks" would have made a great Spïnäl Tap song title
― Lee626, Thursday, 21 June 2012 06:33 (11 months ago) Permalink
I saw them at Maple Leaf Gardens just prior to Saturday Night Fever, but I don't think I was ever that big a fan.
1. “More Than a Woman,” Tavares (40)2. “Night Fever,” Bee Gees (36)3. “If I Can’t Have You,” Yvonne Elliman (33)4. “To Love Somebody,” Bee Gees (30)5. “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” Al Green (28)6. “Run to Me,” Bee Gees (26)
― clemenza, Thursday, 21 June 2012 11:49 (11 months ago) Permalink
muh ballot
To Love Somebody - 40Paradise - 36Nights on Broadway - 33World - 30You Win Again - 28Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You - 26I Believe in Miracles (Robin Gibb) - 25Spicks and Specks - 24Stayin' Alive - 23Suddenly - 22Cryin' Every Day - 21I Laugh in Your Face - 20Nobody's Someone - 19Bury Me Down by the River - 18Tragedy - 17One - 16Lonely Days - 15Kitty Can - 14Holiday - 13You Know It's for You - 12
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 21 June 2012 14:13 (11 months ago) Permalink
Thanks for posting!Here's mine:
To Love SomebodyMore Than a WomanHeartbreaker (Dionne Warwick)Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)Emotion (Samantha Sang)I Started A JokeI Just Wanna Be Your Everything (Andy Gibb)New York Mining Disaster 1941Love You Inside OutI've Gotta Get a Message to YouEdge of the UniverseRun To MeHow Deep Is Your Love? Jive Talkin'HolidayAll This Making LoveIslands in the StreamNights on BroadwayI Can't See NobodyWordsNight FeverYou Should Be DancingSpicks & SpecksToo Much HeavenMassachusettsMr. NaturalWildflowerMorning of My LifeIf I Can't Have You (Yvonne Elliman)Living Eyes
Just compared the final list to my ballot -- looks like 26 of my 30 made it. Would love to see some other folks' individual ballots if anyone feels like posting them...
― hutlock, Thursday, 21 June 2012 14:18 (11 months ago) Permalink
great stuff! here's my ballot:
Love You Inside OutMore Than A WomanTo Love SomebodyLonely DaysWords (Elvis Presley)TragedyHudson's Fallen Wind (Robin Gibb)ParadiseFanny (Be Tender With My Love)Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Show YouSpicks & SpecksI Just Want To be Your Everything (Andy Gibb)Jive Talkin'Heartbreaker (Dionne Warwick)Nights On BroadwayAn Everlasting Love(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away (Andy Gibb)Guilty (Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb)You Should Be DancingAloneGive A Hand, Take A Hand (P P Arnold)Shadow Dancing (Andy Gibb)Stayin' AliveKathy's Gone (Robin Gibb)I Started A JokeWalking Back To WaterlooBoys Do Fall In Love (Robin Gibb)How Can You Mend A Broken HeartNight FeverHow Deep Is Your Love
― here's my lumber, so jack me maybe (some dude), Thursday, 21 June 2012 14:26 (11 months ago) Permalink
Mine: 1. Nights on Broadway 2. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? 3. I Started a Joke 4. Mr. Natural 5. Lamplight 6. Odessa (City on the Black Sea) 7. Fannie (Be Tender With My Love) 8. The Flag I Flew 9. Run To Me 10. Massachusetts 11. For Whom the Bell Tolls 12. Islands in the Stream 13. Kathy's Gone 14. A Very Special Day 15. Heartbreaker 16. World 17. Melody Fair 18. I've Gotta Get a Message to You 19. I Can't See Nobody 20. Juliet 21. Method to My Madness 22. My Life Has Been a Song 23. To Love Somebody 24. Holiday 25. How Deep Is Your Love 26. Please Don't Turn Out the Lights 27. The Worst Girl In This Town 28. Indian Gin and Whisky Dry 29. He Can't Love You 30. First of May
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 21 June 2012 15:18 (11 months ago) Permalink
Whoops -- Method to My Madness didn't chart, either. Great song, that.
Here’s my ballot. Mostly consensus picks:
01 Sweet Song of Summer02 Spirits (Having Flown) 03 How Deep Is Your Love04 Grease05 Guilty06 If I Can't Have You07 You Should Be Dancing 08 Tragedy09 More Than A Woman 10 Too Much Heaven11 Edge of the Universe12 Robot13 To Love Somebody14 Emotion15 Jive Talkin'16 How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?17 Paying The Price Of Love 18 I Held a Party19 You Win Again20 Trash (from 'Sesame Street Fever')21 I've Gotta Get a Message to You22 Melody Fair23 Chain Reaction24 Night Fever25 Stayin' Alive26 Words27 Morning of My Life28 Woman In Love29 Nights On Broadway30 Spicks and Specks
― Jeff W, Thursday, 21 June 2012 18:57 (11 months ago) Permalink
sort of kicking myself for forgetting to include the anecdote about how they wrote/came up with the idea for NY Mining Disaster 1941 (ie, warming up by singing in an echo-y stairwell outside the studio and thinking about how it sounded like they were at the bottom of a mineshaft)
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 21 June 2012 18:59 (11 months ago) Permalink
also meant to point out that every single album through 1987 was represented in the final results, with two exceptions: Life in a Tin Can and Cucumber Castle (if only one more person had voted for Maurice's "My Thing" arggh!)
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:02 (11 months ago) Permalink
all the anecdotes about how they were inspired to write songs based on car and plane engine sounds and did diy explosion sound effects w/ microphones are so cool, goes to show how resourceful and kinda avant garde they could be for 'professional pop hitmakers' of their era
― here's my lumber, so jack me maybe (some dude), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:06 (11 months ago) Permalink
also interesting to note that their "commercial nadir"(from To Whom it May Concern until Main Course) lasted a grand total of only 4 years lol
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:16 (11 months ago) Permalink
yeah but 4 albums in 4 years -- these days if a big artist flops they'll take that long just to come back with a follow-up
― here's my lumber, so jack me maybe (some dude), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:23 (11 months ago) Permalink
well, three albums. but yeah it's different now, people take forever to record follow-ups, rather than rush out something for fear that they will be forgotten/miss their chance
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:30 (11 months ago) Permalink
Gotta dig out my copy of Life In a Tin Can now. I'm sure there is something there that I'm gonna love that I've totally forgotten about.
― hutlock, Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:50 (11 months ago) Permalink
Also, for those of you who haven't heard Robin's contribution to "Sesame Street Fever":
― hutlock, Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:52 (11 months ago) Permalink
!!! omg never seen that before
― a dense custard of infinity (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 21 June 2012 19:59 (11 months ago) Permalink
otm re songcraft trivia. i love that stuff, sorta makes it seem like their brains were sub-consciously, or consciously, 24/7 tuned into songwriting, which is kind of how I imagine songwriting to be when you're seriously *in it*
― Peppermint Patty Hearst (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 21 June 2012 20:19 (11 months ago) Permalink
The first is a three-hanky Robin tearjerker with Barry trading off in the gorgeous chorus.
The second is a really good Barry country song and namechecks his unreleased record, The Kid's No Good, in the chorus -- but is otherwise unrelated I think.
Third song is a Robin ballad with an unbelievable middle eight in which he uses the duck quack soul voice from "I Can't See Nobody."
Some of my favorite stuff by these guys.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 22 June 2012 01:06 (11 months ago) Permalink
1. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?2. (Love Is) Thicker Than Water3. More Than a Woman4. How Deep Is Your Love5. Emotion6. Night Fever7. To Love Somebody8. Please Read Me9. Nobody's Someone10. An Everlasting Love11. Baby As You Turn Away12. I Just Want To Be Your Everything13. Charade14. I Can Bring Love15. New York Mining Disaster 194116. Birdie Told Me17. Jive Talkin'18. Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)19. I Started a Joke20. Spicks and Specks21. My Thing22. If I Only Had My Mind On Something Else23. If I Can't Have You24. Nights on Broadway25. South Dakota Morning26. Shadow Dancing27. Children of the World28. Massachusetts29. The Battle of the Blue and Grey30. The Chance of Love
― Lee626, Saturday, 23 June 2012 21:39 (11 months ago) Permalink
Anyone have recommendations for a good Andy Gibb comp? This poll made me realize that I need one.
― hutlock, Tuesday, 26 June 2012 14:50 (10 months ago) Permalink
The 4-CD Mythology box of the Bee Gees includes one disc per brother, with the last dedicated to Andy. Seems pretty comprehensive, but of course, you need the whole thing. Not sure what else is available.
― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 26 June 2012 15:14 (10 months ago) Permalink
Yeah, but then I'd also be saddled with a whole disc of Maurice.
(I KID, I KID)
― hutlock, Tuesday, 26 June 2012 21:24 (10 months ago) Permalink
I have a friend who grew up thinking this song ("I Started a Joke") was written from the perspective of Adolf Hitler, an interpretation which has always stuck with me.
.. this is awesome!
― SomeTwat from Tring (Tom D.), Monday, 16 July 2012 11:06 (10 months ago) Permalink