Photo: Atco Records., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The Bee Gees were a dramatically different band between 1963 and 1973 and the disco pop music group that became famous in the mid-1970s. While some love the 1963 to 1973 period and do not care for the disco period from 1974 through the 80s, others feel the opposite. It’s hard to find music fans who like both periods unless they are die-hard Bee Gees fans. While some music magazines have done just blanket top 10 Bee Gees songs lists, we felt that was just not the right way to go because the Bee Gees songs, starting with their 1974 album Mr. Natural, were dramatically different from what they released between the years 1963 and 1973. Furthermore, their massive success in the mid-1970s often led many to overlook the brilliant music they released during the 1960s and early 1970s. Of course, real rock fans are familiar with the music, but the general population has only associated the Bee Gees with their Saturday Night Fever success over the years.
The Bee Gees released their first single in 1963 entitled “The Battle of the Blue and the Grey.” After a series of stand-alone singles, the Bee Gees would release their first studio album in 1965 entitled The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs. From 1965 until 1973, The Bee Gees would release eleven studio albums. All the material they released after that period will be addressed in separate articles. The following 10 Bee Gees songs are our choice for the most significant songs they released during their first period as one of pop culture’s most successful musical acts of all time.
# 10 – Timber!
We open up our list of the top 10 Bee Gees 1960s songs with the song “Timber.” It was the Bee Gees’ second single release. It was initially released in Australia in 1963. The song would later be included on the group’s first UK album entitled The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs. The album was released in 1965. The song only charted on the Australian music charts peaking at number seventy five. This is the sound of the early 1960s.
# 9 – Spicks and Specks
Continuing with our top 10 Bee Gees songs list, we take a listen to the great song entitled “Spicks and Specks,” This is a spectacular early Bee Gees song that starts out with just a dark studio upright piano accompanying those classic vocals of the Gibbs Brothers. The song was released on the album entitled Spicks and Specks. This is the first Bee Gees hit single that charted outside of their home of Australia. The song charted in Germany, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, where it hit number one.
# 8 – If Only I Had My Mind On
In the number eight spot on our top 10 Bee Gees songs list, we present the song entitled “If Only I Had My Mind On,” The song was released on the album entitled Cucumber Castle. The album was released in 1970. It was the first of two singles released from the album. The song hit the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number ninety one.
# 7 -New York Mining Disaster 1941
The Bee Gees song “New York Mining Disaster 1941” is the group’s first big international hit single. The song also appeared on their first international album, Bee Gees’ 1st. Even though, in reality, it was the group’s third album.”New York Mining Disaster 1941″ was written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb. The single was released in 1967. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number fourteen
# 6 – I Started a Joke
Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Bee Gees songs list we present the song “I Started A Joke.” The song was released on the album entitled Idea. The album was released in 1968. It was the second single released from the album. “I Started A Joke.” would hit number one in the countries of Australia and New Zealand. The song was a also a big hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number six, and stands as the Bee Gees highest charting song in the United States during their 1960s period.
# 5 – I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You
At the halfway point on our top 10 Bee Gees songs list is one of the Bee Gees most heartfelt and extremely popular songs of their career. The song “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” was issued on the album entitled Idea. The album was released in 1968. The song would become the band’s biggest hit ever in the United Kingdom where it hit number one. The song was also a big time hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eight.
# 4 – Lonely Days
It’s simply stunning how many great songs the Bee Gees released in the 1960s and early 1970s. Everyone loved this one. At the number four spot on our top 10 songs list we present the song “Lonely Days. The song was released on the album entitled 2 Years On. The album was released in 1970. It was the first single to go Gold for the Bee Gees in the United States. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number three.
# 3 – To Love Somebody
Moving along on our top 10 Bee Gee songs list we sit back and enjoy the classic Bee Gees song “To Love Somebody.” Just listen to those stunning strings at the start of this spectacular Bee Gees song. One of the truly great pop gems of the entire decade. The song was released on the album entitled Bee Gees’ 1st. The album was released in 1967. It was the second single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eighteen.
# 2 – Massachusetts
As we start to get to a close on our top 10 Bee Gees songs list we celebrate the song “(The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts.” This legendary song would become the Bee Gees first number one single in the United Kingdom. The song was released on the album entitled Horizontal. The album was released in 1967. It was the first single released from the album. The song was also a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number eleven. The song was written by all three brothers. The musicians on the song included Robin Gibb on lead vocals Barry Gibb on rhythm guitar, harmony vocals Maurice Gibb on bass and harmony vocals Vince Melouney on rhythm guitar and Colin Petersen on drums.
# 1 – How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
We close out our top 10 songs list with one of the band’s most famous songs of their career entitled “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” It’s also one of their most widely covered songs. The song was released on the album entitled Trafalgar The album was released in 1971. It was the first single released from the album. The song “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” was a milestone in the band’s career as it was their first number one single on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Updated May 24, 2024
Top 10 Bee Gees 1960s Songs (1963-1973) article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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