Words (Bee Gees song)
Encyclopedia
"Words" is a song
written and sung by the Bee Gees
, released in the beginning of 1968
. Barry Gibb
said in 1996 on the VH1 Storytellers
television show that it was written for their manager Robert Stigwood
. It was originally intended for Cliff Richard
, but he never got round to recording the track as he wasn't making an album at the time. Rather than wasting the song, The Bee Gees decided to record it themselves.
As stated on the Bee Gees single the song was featured in the film The Mini Mob (1968), where it was sung by Georgie Fame
in an arrangement by Bill Shepherd similar to the Bee Gees single but recorded earlier. The very limited distribution of the film and the pre-emptive release of the Bee Gees version eclipsed the Georgie Fame recording.
The vocals feature a very strong vibrato
. Barry Gibb sings lead vocal and possibly all the backing vocals as well. The band consisted of: Barry Gibb (rhythm guitar), Maurice Gibb
(piano and bass guitar), and Colin Petersen
(drums), with an orchestral arrangement by Bill Shepherd. Some backing vocals near the end are heard only on the mono mix used on the single, some compilations, and the Studio Albums
box set.
The B-side for "Words" was "Sinking Ships," one of the very rare songs by the Bee Gees to feature all three brothers with lead vocals: Barry and Robin Gibb in the verses and Maurice Gibb on the song's chorus.
"Words" has been recorded by many other artists. Among them are a hit version by Rita Coolidge
in 1978 and Boyzone
in 1996 (on the album A Different Beat
). This single by Boyzone was their fifth single and their first number one hit in the UK.
covered the song in 1968, in Swedish as "Nu".
Glen Campbell
released a version of the song on his 1968 #1 album Wichita Lineman.
Country singer Susie Allanson
covered the song in 1978, reaching #8 on the country charts.
Elvis Presley
performed the song live in the late 60's and early 70's as part of his concerts and is available on the 1970 live album Elvis in Person at the International Hotel
.
Rita Coolidge
's version reached the Top 40 in the UK peaking at #25 in 1978.
Roy Orbison
sang a rare cover version on his 1973 album Milestones
.
Jessica Mauboy
sang a cover of the song on Australian Idol
season 4 on the Final 5 ARIA Hall of Fame theme night.
's album A Different Beat
. The single was their seventh single overall, becoming their first number one hit in the UK. The song was also the 10th biggest selling boyband single of the 90's in the UK, selling 520,000 copies and receiving a Gold certification. The song was the 16th best selling single of 1996 in the UK.
CD2 (In Limited Edition Digipak)
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written and sung by the Bee Gees
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
, released in the beginning of 1968
. Barry Gibb
Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
said in 1996 on the VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
television show that it was written for their manager Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood is an impresario and entertainment entrepreneur who relocated to England in 1954...
. It was originally intended for Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
, but he never got round to recording the track as he wasn't making an album at the time. Rather than wasting the song, The Bee Gees decided to record it themselves.
As stated on the Bee Gees single the song was featured in the film The Mini Mob (1968), where it was sung by Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame is a British rhythm and blues and jazz singer and keyboard player. The one-time rock and roll tour musician, who had a string of 1960s hits, is still a popular performer, often working with contemporaries such as Van Morrison and Bill Wyman.-Early life:Fame took piano lessons from the...
in an arrangement by Bill Shepherd similar to the Bee Gees single but recorded earlier. The very limited distribution of the film and the pre-emptive release of the Bee Gees version eclipsed the Georgie Fame recording.
The vocals feature a very strong vibrato
Vibrato
Vibrato is a musical effect consisting of a regular, pulsating change of pitch. It is used to add expression to vocal and instrumental music. Vibrato is typically characterised in terms of two factors: the amount of pitch variation and the speed with which the pitch is varied .-Vibrato and...
. Barry Gibb sings lead vocal and possibly all the backing vocals as well. The band consisted of: Barry Gibb (rhythm guitar), Maurice Gibb
Maurice Gibb
Maurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
(piano and bass guitar), and Colin Petersen
Colin Petersen
Colin Petersen is a former child actor and rock drummer. He played as a member of the Bee Gees on their first five albums.-Biography:Petersen began his acting career at the age of seven...
(drums), with an orchestral arrangement by Bill Shepherd. Some backing vocals near the end are heard only on the mono mix used on the single, some compilations, and the Studio Albums
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
box set.
The B-side for "Words" was "Sinking Ships," one of the very rare songs by the Bee Gees to feature all three brothers with lead vocals: Barry and Robin Gibb in the verses and Maurice Gibb on the song's chorus.
"Words" has been recorded by many other artists. Among them are a hit version by Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
in 1978 and Boyzone
Boyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
in 1996 (on the album A Different Beat
A Different Beat (Boyzone album)
A Different Beat is the second album released by Irish boy band Boyzone. Four singles were released from the album: "Words", "A Different Beat", "Isn't It a Wonder" and "Mystical Experience", which was only included on the US version of the album. The album also includes a cover of the Michael...
). This single by Boyzone was their fifth single and their first number one hit in the UK.
Personnel
- Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
– vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, bass - Colin PetersenColin PetersenColin Petersen is a former child actor and rock drummer. He played as a member of the Bee Gees on their first five albums.-Biography:Petersen began his acting career at the age of seven...
– drums
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
| China | 1 |
| Belgium | 4 |
| Austria | 4 |
| Canada | 4 |
| Norway | 7 |
| United Kingdom | 8 |
| France | 9 |
| Italy | 11 |
| Australia | 13 |
| United States | 15 |
| Japan | 19 |
Cover versions
Lill LindforsLill Lindfors
Lillemor "Lill" Lindfors is a Finland-Swedish/Swedish singer. Born in Helsinki, Finland she has been performing in Scandinavia with minor and major success since the 1960s. She debuted as a revue actress in Uddevalla in 1960 and the following year as a recording artist...
covered the song in 1968, in Swedish as "Nu".
Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
released a version of the song on his 1968 #1 album Wichita Lineman.
Country singer Susie Allanson
Susie Allanson
Susie Allanson is an American country music singer and actress. Susie was raised in Burbank and lived in Las Vegas from 1963-71. Before beginning her singing career in the mid-1970s, she toured as part of Jesus Christ Superstar and appeared in the film of the same name...
covered the song in 1978, reaching #8 on the country charts.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
performed the song live in the late 60's and early 70's as part of his concerts and is available on the 1970 live album Elvis in Person at the International Hotel
From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis
From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis is the thirty-sixth album by Elvis Presley, released in October 1969 on RCA Records, catalogue LSP 6020. Recording sessions took place at American Sound Studio in Memphis, on January 13–15 and 21-22, and February 17–18, 1969, and at the International...
.
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge
Rita Coolidge is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American vocalist. During the 1970s and 1980s, she charted hits on Billboard's Pop, Country, Adult Contemporary and Jazz charts.-Career:...
's version reached the Top 40 in the UK peaking at #25 in 1978.
Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
sang a rare cover version on his 1973 album Milestones
Milestones (Roy Orbison album)
Milestones is an album by Roy Orbison released on September 24, 1973 on MGM Records and his last album for that label. The album was arranged by Joe Tanner, Rex North and Randy Goodrum. "The Morning After" was from the film The Poseidon Adventure....
.
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Hilda Mauboy , is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career...
sang a cover of the song on Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
season 4 on the Final 5 ARIA Hall of Fame theme night.
Boyzone Version
"Words" became the first single from Irish Boyband BoyzoneBoyzone
Boyzone are an Irish boy band comprising Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, Ronan Keating,Shane Lynch, and formerly Stephen Gately. Boyzone have 19 singles in the top 40 UK charts and 21 singles in the Ire charts. The group currently have 6 UK number one singles and 9 number one singles in Ireland with 12...
's album A Different Beat
A Different Beat (Boyzone album)
A Different Beat is the second album released by Irish boy band Boyzone. Four singles were released from the album: "Words", "A Different Beat", "Isn't It a Wonder" and "Mystical Experience", which was only included on the US version of the album. The album also includes a cover of the Michael...
. The single was their seventh single overall, becoming their first number one hit in the UK. The song was also the 10th biggest selling boyband single of the 90's in the UK, selling 520,000 copies and receiving a Gold certification. The song was the 16th best selling single of 1996 in the UK.
Tracklisting
CD1- Words (Radio Edit) – 3:55
- The Price Of Love – 3:11
- Words (Alternative Mix) – 3:53
CD2 (In Limited Edition Digipak)
- Words (Radio Edit) – 3:55
- The Price Of Love – 3:11
- What Can You Do For Me – 2:59
- Words (Alternative Mix) – 3:53
Charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
1 |
| Austrian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 2 |
| Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... |
3 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 4 |
| Danish Singles Chart | 7 |
| German Singles Chart | 7 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 14 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 15 |
| Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... |
16 |
| French Singles Chart | 31 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 96 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart | 67 |
| UK Singles Chart | 16 |