Never underestimate the power of a family band. The harmonies, the synergy, and connection. There is something special that emerges when musically talented family members get together. The songs become bolstered by a sixth sense that only those who’ve grown up and spent nearly every waking moment together can muster. Case in point: the Bee Gees.
Here below wanted to explore a trio of tracks from the British-born brothers—Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb—and their Australian-born disco group. A trio of tracks that demonstrate not only the power of their songwriting and performances but also show that a family band, when locked in, cannot be beat. Indeed, these are three eternal Bee Gees songs that keep us dancing.
[RELATED: Behind the History and the Meaning of the Band Name: the Bee Gees]
“Stayin’ Alive” from Saturday Night Fever (1977)
One of the most-famous disco songs of all time written by one of the most-famous disco bands of all time for perhaps the most-famous disco movie of all time. This trifecta of a disco piece of pop culture made the Bee Gees giant stars (if they weren’t that already). Released in 1977, this song, which hit No. 1 no the Billboard chart, features a driving beat and falsetto vocals that have been etched into the zeitgeist. Somewhere John Travolta is still dancing to it (and so are we). Sings the group,
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk
Music loud and women warm, I’ve been kicked around
Since I was born
And now it’s alright, it’s okay
And you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The New York Times’ effect on man
“Night Fever” from Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Another disco track from the famed 1977 soundtrack for the film Saturday Night Fever, this song is like a big deep breath before you leave your front door and head out for the night to party. Your feet have that extra pep. Your gut is buzzing with anticipation. It’s going to be epic, it’s going to be one for the ages. And this song comes in, giving you that last jolt of energy. That’s what the Bee Gees did. They have you big energy and personified that moment of excited anticipation. On the song, the brothers sing,
Listen to the ground
There is movement all around
There is something goin’ down
And I can feel it
On the waves of the air
There is dancin’ out there
It’s somethin’ we can’t share
We can’t steal it
“Massachusetts” from Horizontal (1968)
This song came out about a decade before the Bee Gees became one of the biggest things in disco. It’s a folk song, leaning on the peace-and-love, flower-power vibe at the end of the 1960s. A slow ballad, this isn’t a track that needs you to put on your platform dancing shoes. Rather, it’s one to lean into your partner on the dance floor and sway like daffodils in the breeze. Sing the brothers,
Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco
Gotta do the things I wanna do
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Photo by Sydney O’Meara/Getty Images
Local News
