"World" is the second UK single from 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...

 second album Horizontal

Horizontal (album)

Horizontal is the Bee Gees' fourth studio album, and second to seek an international release. The LP was released in early 1968, and included the international hit singles "Massachusetts" and "World"....

, released in 1967 in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

. Though it was a big hit in Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

, Atco Records

Atco Records

ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...

 did not issue it as a single in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Atco had issued a third single from Bee Gees' 1st

Bee Gees' 1st

Bee Gees' 1st is—despite the title—the third studio album by The Bee Gees. It was, however, their first album to be released internationally, as their first two LPs were only available in Australia and New Zealand...

, "Holiday

Holiday (Bee Gees song)

"Holiday" is a song by the Bee Gees. The song is haunting, even eerie, having been composed primarily in the minor key with a strong organ presence. Brothers Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb who also wrote the song share lead vocals...

", instead of "Massachusetts

Massachusetts (Bee Gees song)

"Massachusetts" is a song written, recorded, and released by the Bee Gees in 1967 and later appearing on their 1968 album, Horizontal. It was their first Number 1 hit in the UK and eventually became one of the best selling singles of all times....

", and now in effect issued the delayed "Massachusetts" instead of "World", using its B side "Sir Geoffrey Saved the World".

Lead vocals are split between 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...

 (choruses, second verse) and Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb

Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....

 (first verse, one chorus in closing). The band are 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...

 (two pianos and bass guitar), Robin Gibb (organ), Vince Melouney

Vince Melouney

Vince Melouney was a founding member of Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs, playing with the band as lead guitarist from 1963 to 1965, which was followed by a short-lived duo with fellow Aztec Tony Barber, called Vince & Tony's Two.In 1967, after moving to the UK, he was invited to join the Bee Gees...

 (lead 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 a bit of orchestra at the end arranged by Bill Shepherd.

Two mixes of the record were played to journalists at a press conference before its release. The released version is mainly the unorchestrated version but the orchestrated version is used from 2:39.

Chart performance

Chart	Peak position
Australia	6
Austria	5
Belgium	3
China	2
France	20
Germany	1
Italy	10
Japan	24
Netherlands	1
New Zealand	2
Norway	6
Spain	10
United Kingdom	9

Cover versions

"World" was covered by the band, Gregorian

Gregorian (band)

Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.- Band history :...

, on their album Masters of Chant Chapter IV

Masters of Chant Chapter IV

Masters of Chant IV is the fifth album by German band Gregorian.-Track listing:# "The Gift" # "Bridge over Troubled Water" # "With or Without You"...

.

In 2006, British singer Declan Galbraith

Declan Galbraith

Declan John Galbraith is an English singer. He is best known for his 2002 hit single, "Tell Me Why", which peaked at #29 in the UK Singles Chart.-Early influence:...

covered the song as a bonus track for his album "Thank You."