Tiny Tim, Stayin Alive | COVERS

In the first edition of COVERS (2026), Tiny Tim delivers a compelling rendition of “Stayin Alive,” originally performed by the Bee Gees.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established and lesser-known musicians. In the first edition of COVERS (2025), Tiny Tim delivers a compelling rendition of “Stayin Alive”, originally performed by the Bee Gees.

Ask yourself this question. Did anyone envision Tiny Tim (Herbert Khaury, 1932 – 1996), of “Tip Toe Thru’ the Tulips with Me” fame, covering a disco classic? Well, it exists, and it is one of the strangest, most indescribable performances you’ll ever hear.  Our falsetto-renowned musician tackled the Bee Gees’ iconic, falsetto-driven “Stayin’ Alive”.  The Bee Gees – Barry Gibb (b. 1946), Maurice Gibb (1949 – 2023), and Robin Gibb (1949 – 2012) –  wrote and produced it.  What’s interesting is, in his rendition of “Stayin Alive” (no apostrophe, go figure), Tiny Tim doesn’t consistently sing in falsetto 🤯.  He mixes it up with a more aggressive middle register and keeps things playful, tongue-in-cheek, and, honestly, shocking.  It’s a one-of-a-kind novel take, that’s for sure! “Stayin Alive” appeared as the fifth track on Tiny Tim’s 2007 compilation album, Chameleon.

“Stayin Alive” commences with clown-like sound effects, which suggest Tiny Tim is clearly going to make this sugar, honey, iced tea his own 👀! Following the surprising intro, the familiar, funky disco groove asserts itself (tight keys, guitars, bass, and drums), and so does Tiny Tim! That surprising, masculine-sounding middle register sings the iconic lyrics, “Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk / I’m a woman’s man: no time to talk.” Woo! He maintains this ‘masculine’ sound throughout the infectious chorus, replacing the “ah(s)” with grunt-like “uh(s).” Then, it sounds like Tiny Tim comes in a hair early (intentionally 👀), singing the second verse in his signature falsetto: “Well now, I get low, and I get high / And if you can’t get either, I really try.” But, he still shocks by digging back into his chest voice.  The entrance for “Life goin’ nowhere, somebody help me” feels off, too… Again, it seems intentional. Once more, there is an oscillation between falsetto and chest voice that’s just… BIZARRE.  This contrast continues in the third verse and never fails to feel surprising. Even the instrumentation that accompanies Tiny Tim at times is mind-boggling, including violin (more novel and fiddle-like than disco) and, again, some interesting sound effects.  Focusing once more on Tiny Tim, at one point, he scats… I’m not even sure what the vocal syllables are; they’re so wild.  Honestly, ONLY Tiny Tim could cover “Stayin Alive” this particular way.  And folks, further amplifying the weirdness, the song goes on for nearly six minutes! Tiny Time was truly one of a kind…