Born on the Isle Of Man before moving to Manchester and then ultimately Australia when the family emigrated in 1958, the Gibb brothers were singing together from an early age.
By the early 60s the three boys, elder brother Barry and twins Maruice and Robin, were performing on tv and working regularly around the resorts in Queensland and it was at this time they adopted the name Bee Gees. The name came about as the two men who discovered them, DJ Bill Gates and racetrack promoter Bill Goode who had seen them perform at the Speedway Circuit in Brisbane, named them after the initials that both Bill's shared 'B' and 'G'.
Although they scored some minor hits in Australia, by 1966 the brothers decided to return to the UK to try their luck there in the booming music scene evolving there and lucky they were as they sent their demo to Beatles manager Brian Epstein who got a friend of his, Robert Stigwood, to take them on and it led to a 5-year contract with Polydor.
'New York Mining Disaster 1941' was their second single release in the UK and their first in the US and was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number 12 in the UK and number 14 in the US. The song is about a man talking to another man (Mr Jones) about a photograph of his wife while they wait, hopelessly, for rescue in an air pocket in a collapsed mine.
The song was influenced by the Aberfan disaster in Wales about 6 months earlier where the pile of mining waste, known as a slag heap, that was on top of a hill above the town of Aberfan (specifically the primary school) collapsed down the hill when it became unstable after several days of heavy rain. 144 people were killed in the disaster, 116 of them being children from the school.
It has a strange melody to the song which is partly why it ended up stuck in my head this week. The narrative of the songs 'story' is really aided by this melody as you can sense the despair that the miner is feeling but trying to mask. Though The Bee Gees get mocked, to a degree, nowadays as people remember the 'falsetto' era of 'Saturday Night Fever' they often overlook the really amazing stuff they wrote and recorded early on in their career and that is the other reason this song got stuck in my head as it is a truly brilliant song.
I hope you all enjoy it and it gives you a different take on The Bee Gees!!
The Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941
In the event of something happening to me,
there is something I would like you all to see.
It's just a photograph of someone that I new.
Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.
I keep straining my ears to hear a sound.
Maybe someone is digging underground,
or have they given up and all gone home to bed,
thinking those who once existed must be dead.
Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.
In the event of something happening to me,
there is something I would like you all to see.
It's just a photograph of someone that I knew.
Hvae you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud, you'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 22th May '10 - David Bowie - "Heroes"
Before the final episode of 'Ashes To Ashes' aired last night I already had a gut feeling that Bowie's '"Heroes"' was going to be used at the end of it. Just some of what had been happening and some of what I guessed might happen matched to parts of the lyrics so well. It meant that the song didn't leave me all week.
Released in 1977, though now seen as one of his all time greatest songs, at the time it wasn't a big hit at all only making it as high as number 24 in the UK and missing out on the US charts altogether!
For any of you who haven't seen the end of Ashes To Ashes and don't want to have the ending spoilt then please don't watch the clip below of the final ten minutes:
If you did watch the clip you'll see how '"Heroes"' was just the right song for the ending. If not, then I hope you appreciate the song as it is. you can see it after the lyrics.
Hope you enjoy it and apologies for the short blog but it's too hot to think today!!
David Bowie - "Heroes"
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
What d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Released in 1977, though now seen as one of his all time greatest songs, at the time it wasn't a big hit at all only making it as high as number 24 in the UK and missing out on the US charts altogether!
For any of you who haven't seen the end of Ashes To Ashes and don't want to have the ending spoilt then please don't watch the clip below of the final ten minutes:
If you did watch the clip you'll see how '"Heroes"' was just the right song for the ending. If not, then I hope you appreciate the song as it is. you can see it after the lyrics.
Hope you enjoy it and apologies for the short blog but it's too hot to think today!!
David Bowie - "Heroes"
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, for ever and ever
What d'you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, for ever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, for ever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 15th May '10 - The Like - He's Not A Boy
Formed in 2001 when singer Z Berg and original bassist Charlotte Froom were just 15 and drummer Tennessee Thomas was 16, The Like are a pop-rock band from LA.
After spending three years writing, performing and independently releasing EP's they were finally signed to Geffen Records in 2004 and had their track '(So I'll Sit Here) Waiting' included on the soundtrack to the movie 'Thirteen'. It was around this time that I first heard of them and in 2005 I got to see them live (supported by the as then unknown James Morrison). Live they confirmed to me how great they were.
Sadly, though I thought they were brilliant and despite tours supporting artists such as Razorlight, Kings Of Leon and Arctic Monkeys, they didn't manage to make an impact with their first album 'Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?'.
So they went back to the drawing board. Now signed to Polydor's Downtown label, Charlotte Froom left and was replaced by Laena Geronimo and they brought in Reni Lane on keyboards. They then set about recording their second album, the 60s-infused 'Release Me', which has been produced by Mark Ronson.
Launching with a free track for download, 'Fair Game', the first official single release is 'He's Not A Boy' which is released in the UK on May 31st. 'He's Not A Boy' is such a catchy tune that it's hard not to want to, at the very least, tap your feet along to it. It's one of those tunes that deserves to be a big hit of the summer but I suspect it'll not get the radio play it deserves and no one will really hear it, so if you do like it then please share it with others.
This band are so great and so worthy of success and I really hope they get it.
I don't just like The Like, I love them and I hope you all enjoy this week's song!!
The Like - He's Not A Boy
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
We were up all night
Talking trash and wasting time
When he says you're beautiful
It's not a line
But in the morning you might find
That he might have changed his mind
He got lonely for a love
For just one night
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
Even when he lies
He means every word he says
His delusions find their way
Inside your head
And he knows that beauty lies
But he likes it by his side
Just to take you for a ride
To the mystery guys
You may say
Why don't you realise
I could give you everything
But you see
He can't be contained
Or satisfied by all
You could bring
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
He's not a boy that you could save
He's not a boy that you can change
After spending three years writing, performing and independently releasing EP's they were finally signed to Geffen Records in 2004 and had their track '(So I'll Sit Here) Waiting' included on the soundtrack to the movie 'Thirteen'. It was around this time that I first heard of them and in 2005 I got to see them live (supported by the as then unknown James Morrison). Live they confirmed to me how great they were.
Sadly, though I thought they were brilliant and despite tours supporting artists such as Razorlight, Kings Of Leon and Arctic Monkeys, they didn't manage to make an impact with their first album 'Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking?'.
So they went back to the drawing board. Now signed to Polydor's Downtown label, Charlotte Froom left and was replaced by Laena Geronimo and they brought in Reni Lane on keyboards. They then set about recording their second album, the 60s-infused 'Release Me', which has been produced by Mark Ronson.
Launching with a free track for download, 'Fair Game', the first official single release is 'He's Not A Boy' which is released in the UK on May 31st. 'He's Not A Boy' is such a catchy tune that it's hard not to want to, at the very least, tap your feet along to it. It's one of those tunes that deserves to be a big hit of the summer but I suspect it'll not get the radio play it deserves and no one will really hear it, so if you do like it then please share it with others.
This band are so great and so worthy of success and I really hope they get it.
I don't just like The Like, I love them and I hope you all enjoy this week's song!!
The Like - He's Not A Boy
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
We were up all night
Talking trash and wasting time
When he says you're beautiful
It's not a line
But in the morning you might find
That he might have changed his mind
He got lonely for a love
For just one night
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
Even when he lies
He means every word he says
His delusions find their way
Inside your head
And he knows that beauty lies
But he likes it by his side
Just to take you for a ride
To the mystery guys
You may say
Why don't you realise
I could give you everything
But you see
He can't be contained
Or satisfied by all
You could bring
He's not a boy that you can change
Nor should you want to
He's not a boy that you contain
Don't let it taunt you
Don't even try to run away
He wouldn't stop you
He's not a boy that you can change
I know you want to
You can wait all night
You can wait all day
But he's not a boy that you can change
He's not a boy that you could save
He's not a boy that you can change
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 08th May '10 - Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High The Moon
This weeks song got stuck in my head when walking back from the weekly pub quiz on Monday. It just nestled itself right in the brain and wouldn't leave so apologies in advance if it does it to you too (though I'd argue it as being a good thing).
Les Paul is renowned the world over as being a pioneer in the invention of the electric guitar after becoming dissatisfied with the acoustic-electric guitars which were available at the time and deciding to create something new.
Les Paul was a dedicated guitarist, so much so that when he shattered his arm in a car accident in 1948 and doctors informed him that, due to the extensive damage done to his elbow, the best they could do was set his arm in a fixed position he opted to have it fixed in a position that meant he could continue to play guitar.
Also, what is often less known about Les Paul is his important role in the development of multi-tracking, delay effects and overdubbing which played such an important part in the progression of recording and which are still used to this day.
Some of the best evidence of these multi-tracking techniques in their early stages can be found in the recordings he did with his then wife Mary Ford. Having met in 1945, Les and Mary started working together in 1948 and were married in 1949. There songs would consist of layer upon layer of Les playing the melody on guitar in different ways so as to build the tune and Mary adding even more layers of her singing the song and then doing multiple harmonies on top of this to create the final song.
Due to the fact that it was only Les and Mary working on it the music had, and still does in my opinion, quite a unique sound to it that is hard to describe. I do, however, find it extremely beautiful music and Mary Ford has such a warm, delicate but melodic voice.
'How High The Moon' was their second US number 1 hit in 1951 and is a great display of the multi-tracking style they were developing. It is also such a pretty song that you can't help but love it.
I really hope you enjoy this song as I think it's just wonderful!
Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High The Moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Les Paul is renowned the world over as being a pioneer in the invention of the electric guitar after becoming dissatisfied with the acoustic-electric guitars which were available at the time and deciding to create something new.
Les Paul was a dedicated guitarist, so much so that when he shattered his arm in a car accident in 1948 and doctors informed him that, due to the extensive damage done to his elbow, the best they could do was set his arm in a fixed position he opted to have it fixed in a position that meant he could continue to play guitar.
Also, what is often less known about Les Paul is his important role in the development of multi-tracking, delay effects and overdubbing which played such an important part in the progression of recording and which are still used to this day.
Some of the best evidence of these multi-tracking techniques in their early stages can be found in the recordings he did with his then wife Mary Ford. Having met in 1945, Les and Mary started working together in 1948 and were married in 1949. There songs would consist of layer upon layer of Les playing the melody on guitar in different ways so as to build the tune and Mary adding even more layers of her singing the song and then doing multiple harmonies on top of this to create the final song.
Due to the fact that it was only Les and Mary working on it the music had, and still does in my opinion, quite a unique sound to it that is hard to describe. I do, however, find it extremely beautiful music and Mary Ford has such a warm, delicate but melodic voice.
'How High The Moon' was their second US number 1 hit in 1951 and is a great display of the multi-tracking style they were developing. It is also such a pretty song that you can't help but love it.
I really hope you enjoy this song as I think it's just wonderful!
Les Paul & Mary Ford - How High The Moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Till it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
How near, how far
Somewhere there's heaven
It's where you are
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Song Stuck In My Head This Week - 01st May '10 - KISS - Sure Know Something
KISS are a band that, when based on the make-up and crazy outfits, could be taken less than seriously but they have some great music to wipe that thought out of most minds.
Formed in January 1973, KISS very rapidly developed into the make-up wearing, flamboyant band we know and love and by the October of that year they were opening for Blue Öyster Cult at the Academy Of Music in New York. However it wasn't until their 1975 live double-album, 'Alive!' that KISS became successful.
By the late 70's/early 80's the band were experiencing real internal problems as well as fading success and by 1983 the band had made several line-up changes and ditched their trademark make-up and costumed look.
Though marred by the tragic death from cancer at 41 of their drummer Eric Carr in 1991, by the late 80's/early 90's the band were experiencing a resurgence to fame with a more mainstream and commercial sound. For me their cover of the Argent classic 'God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You' (though, due to some altered lyrics on the part of KISS their version was entitled 'God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II') which featured on the soundtrack to 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey' was where I certainly first discovered the band.
The popularity that came from that and then, in turn, from an MTV Unplugged performance in 1995 that brought original members Peter Crises and Ace Freshly back together with there old bandmates for the first time since 1982 meant that a reunion of the original line-up soon occurred. In 1996 at the Grammy awards, with full make-up and costumes back on the scene, KISS reformed the original line-up officially and they recorded new material and toured with that line-up til 2001 when Peter Criss quit again. Since then Freheley and Criss have been in and out of the band again on occasion and the band still continue to tour and record.
KISS are one of those bands who make music that will stick with you and stick in your head, and that's before you look at the outfits and the performance.
This week's song is one that I love in any form of performance, but the MTV Unplugged one is the best for me and on the sunny mornings this last week walking to work at my temp job it's been one I'll keep going back to for just one more play!
Hope you all enjoy it!!
KISS - Sure Know Something
I've been up and down, I've been all around
I was mystified, almost terrified
But late at night I still hear you call my name
I've been on my own, I've been all alone
I was hypnotized, I felt paralyzed
You broke my heart but I still can feel the pain
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
She showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, aha
I was seventeen, you were just a dream
I was mesmerized, I felt scared inside
You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain
I've been counted out, I've had fear and doubt
I've been starry eyed, never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you just the same
Just the same
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, aha
I've been counted out, I've had fear and doubt
I was starry eyed, never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you just the same
Just the same, yeah
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can tell me till I hear it from you
And I sure know something, sure know something
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
Sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
Sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
Formed in January 1973, KISS very rapidly developed into the make-up wearing, flamboyant band we know and love and by the October of that year they were opening for Blue Öyster Cult at the Academy Of Music in New York. However it wasn't until their 1975 live double-album, 'Alive!' that KISS became successful.
By the late 70's/early 80's the band were experiencing real internal problems as well as fading success and by 1983 the band had made several line-up changes and ditched their trademark make-up and costumed look.
Though marred by the tragic death from cancer at 41 of their drummer Eric Carr in 1991, by the late 80's/early 90's the band were experiencing a resurgence to fame with a more mainstream and commercial sound. For me their cover of the Argent classic 'God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You' (though, due to some altered lyrics on the part of KISS their version was entitled 'God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II') which featured on the soundtrack to 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey' was where I certainly first discovered the band.
The popularity that came from that and then, in turn, from an MTV Unplugged performance in 1995 that brought original members Peter Crises and Ace Freshly back together with there old bandmates for the first time since 1982 meant that a reunion of the original line-up soon occurred. In 1996 at the Grammy awards, with full make-up and costumes back on the scene, KISS reformed the original line-up officially and they recorded new material and toured with that line-up til 2001 when Peter Criss quit again. Since then Freheley and Criss have been in and out of the band again on occasion and the band still continue to tour and record.
KISS are one of those bands who make music that will stick with you and stick in your head, and that's before you look at the outfits and the performance.
This week's song is one that I love in any form of performance, but the MTV Unplugged one is the best for me and on the sunny mornings this last week walking to work at my temp job it's been one I'll keep going back to for just one more play!
Hope you all enjoy it!!
KISS - Sure Know Something
I've been up and down, I've been all around
I was mystified, almost terrified
But late at night I still hear you call my name
I've been on my own, I've been all alone
I was hypnotized, I felt paralyzed
You broke my heart but I still can feel the pain
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
She showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, aha
I was seventeen, you were just a dream
I was mesmerized, I felt scared inside
You broke my heart and I still can feel the pain
I've been counted out, I've had fear and doubt
I've been starry eyed, never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you just the same
Just the same
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, aha
I've been counted out, I've had fear and doubt
I was starry eyed, never satisfied
'Cause late at night I still need you just the same
Just the same, yeah
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
And I sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
And I sure know something, sure know something
No one can tell me till I hear it from you
And I sure know something, sure know something
I've been a gambler, but I'm nobody's fool
Sure know something, sure know something
You showed me things they never taught me in school
Sure know something, sure know something
No one can make me feel the way that you do
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