Bee Gees, Words | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 65^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Words” by the iconic, Grammy award-winning pop trio, Bee Gees.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 65^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Words”, performed by Bee Gees. 

“It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.” “Words” predates disco-era Bee Gees – it arrives long before their Saturday Night Fever days, let alone the ultra-sleek, “Too Much Heaven”.  “Words” appears on their 1968 album, Horizontal.  An early hit for the Gibb brothers, “Words” peaked at no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was penned by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and Robin Gibb, while they produced alongside Robert Stigwood. Interestingly, the chorus, excerpted above, appears later in the song, following three verses.

The lyrics shine on “Words.” That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the title of the song. “Smile an everlasting smile / A smile can bring you near to me,” Barry sings in the first verse.  In the second, he asserts, “The world has lost its glory / Let’s start a brand-new story / Now my love, right now.” The vision of love is lit.  In the third and final verse, the dedication is at an all-time high: “Talk in everlasting words / And dedicate them all to me / And I will give you all my life / I’m here if you should call to me.” Ooh-wee! Bee Gees hints at skepticism regarding these words, but ultimately, from their perspective, reiterating the chorus, “It’s only words, and words are all I have / To take your heart away.” “Words” showcases the sheer brilliance of Bee Gees early on.  The vocals are elite, and the sound of the record is marvelous too, with its dominating piano and lush, orchestral touches. “Words” is a gorgeous pop gem. 

Bee Gees // Horizontal // Barry Gibb / The Estate of Robin Gibb and Yvonne Gibb // 1968

Bee Gees, Words: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 65 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Barry Gibb, The Estate of Robin Gibb and Yvonne Gibb; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]