The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (2024)

There aren't many groups who had such a big songs to hits ratio than the Gibb brothers.

The Bee Gees sold hundreds of millions of records from the 1960s to the early 2000s, and their legacy continues.

Ranking their very best songs was a tough task, but here we go. Is your favourite in there?

  • 'I've Gotta Get a Message to You'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (1)

    Bee Gees - I've Gotta Get A Message To You [1968 Video]

    This was their second UK number one single, released in 1968. It also gave them their first significant US hit.

    Robin said of the song: "This is about a prisoner on Death Row who only has a few hours to live. He wants the prison chaplain to pass on a final message to his wife. There's a certain urgency about it.

    "Myself and Barry wrote it. It's a bit like writing a script. Sometimes you can sit there for three hours with your guitar and nothing will happen. Then in the last ten minutes something will spark."

  • 'Tragedy'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (2)

    Bee Gees - Tragedy

    This was a number one for the Gibbs in both the UK and US in 1979, and featured on their Spirits Having Flown album.

    Read more: Private studio footage of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees recording 'Tragedy' is phenomenal

    While it wasn't in Saturday Night Fever, it was later added to the song list for the stage musical adaptation, and we don't blame them!

  • 'Alone'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (3)

    Bee Gees - Alone

    This was another comeback for the Bee Gees in 1997, and it gave them another top 5 hit in the UK.

    Robin Gibb said of the song's style: "I like the idea of being that sort of Beatlesque type of song. I wanted that rambling. That sort of Byrds type."

  • 'Love You Inside Out'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (4)

    Bee Gees - Love you inside out

    This disco tune gave the Bee Gees their ninth number one in the US in 1979.

    Read more: Watch the extraordinary moment the Bee Gees busked on the streets of London in 1993

    They also proved to be rather rude when they wanted to be. During recording, they played a prank on their manager Robert Stigwood, sending him a version with the line "backwards and forwards with my [INSERT RUDE WORD, instead of 'heart'] hanging out" to see if he was paying attention.

  • 'Words'

    Released in 1968, years before they found their disco sound, this was one of the group's first hits.

    Robin Gibb later described it by saying: "'Words' reflects a mood, It was written after an argument. Barry had been arguing with someone, I had been arguing with someone, and happened to be in the same mood. [The arguments were] about absolutely nothing. They were just words. That is what the song is all about; words can make you happy or words can make you sad."

  • 'Too Much Heaven'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (6)

    Bee Gees - Too Much Heaven

    In the US, this song would become the fourth of six consecutive number ones for the Bee Gees, tying the record set by the Beatles at the time.

    The ballad also featured the horn section from the US band Chicago.

  • 'You Should Be Dancing'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (7)

    Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing 1976 (HQ Audio)

    If there's one song that fully showcases Barry Gibb's incredible falsetto, it's this Saturday Night Fever track.

    Read more: When Andy Gibb joined the Bee Gees for a rare phenomenal performance of 'You Should Be Dancing'

    Bonus fact: This disco anthem also features Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash fame on percussion.

  • 'Nights on Broadway'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (8)

    The Bee Gees - Nights On Broadway - The Midnight Special 1975

    Giving fans a glimpse of what was to come, the Bee Gees went a bit further down the disco road with this track, a top 10 hit in the States in 1975.

    It was also the song that first introduced Barry's famous falsetto. Producer Arif Mardin asked if one of the Bee Gees could do some screaming during the main chorus to make the song more interesting.

    Read more: The Bee Gees' flawless harmonies during a live MTV performance in 1993 is a lost masterpiece

    In response, Barry began singing higher and higher, eventually creating a falsetto that was unexpectedly powerful. He had never known he had such a vocal ability, and thus Barry's falsetto became a trademark of the band (although Maurice had been harmonizing in falsetto for years).

  • Immortality (with Celine Dion)

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (9)

    Céline Dion - Immortality (Official Video) ft. Bee Gees

    The Bee Gees wrote this song for Celine Dion's 1997 album Let's Talk About Love, and also provided backing vocals.

    The power ballad duet proved to be a big success, reaching number 5 in the UK and giving the group their most recent top 10 hit to date.

  • 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (10)

    Bee Gees _ How Can You Mend a Broken Heart ('71) HQ (with lyrics)

    This gorgeous ballad was written by Barry and Robin, and was the lead single from their 1971 Trafalgar album.

    A year later, soul legend Al Green recorded a stunning cover version, and the track was later the title for their official documentary film in 2020.

  • 'I Started a Joke'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (11)

    THE BEE GEES "I STARTED A JOKE" 1968 HQ AUDIO

    Released back when the group had members that weren't a Gibb, this quirky ballad was sung by Robin.

    Barry later said: "There was a lot of psychedelia and the idea that if you wrote something, even if it sounded ridiculous, somebody would find the meaning for it, and that was the truth."

  • 'To Love Somebody'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (12)

    Bee Gees - To Love Somebody (1967) HD 0815007

    This was the Bee Gees' second ever single, released back in 1967.

    When asked "of all the songs that you've ever written, which song would you choose?" Barry Gibb said that this was the song that he'd choose as it has "a clear, emotional message".

  • 'More Than a Woman'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (13)

    Saturday Night Fever - More Than A Woman (Bee Gees)

    Another disco favourite from Saturday Night Fever, the Bee Gees didn't actually release it as a single at the time.

    Instead, fellow disco group Tavares scored a decent-sized it with it, as it also featured on the soundtrack to the classic John Travolta movie.

  • 'Massachusetts'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (14)

    Massachussetts

    This gave the Bee Gees their first UK number one single in 1968. It was intended as the opposite to flower power anthems of the time such as 'Let's Go to San Francisco' and 'San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)' in that the singer had been to San Francisco to join the hippies but was now homesick.

    Read more: When Bee Gees gave a rare acoustic TV performance of 'Massachusetts' and brought down the house

    Robin Gibb said of the track: "We have never been there but we loved the word and there is always something magic about American place names. It only works with British names if you do it as a folk song."

  • 'This Is Where I Came In'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (15)

    Bee Gees - This Is Where I Came In

    This underrated track saw the Bee Gees score another comeback in 2001.

    Read more: Last known video of Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb singing together in 2001 is sensational

    Taken from the album of the same name, it saw the brothers return to their roots of folk rock, and was their last release before Maurice passed away two years later.

  • 'Night Fever'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (16)

    Bee Gees - Night Fever (1977)

    First appearing on the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever, this single reached the top spot of the UK Singles Chart where it stayed for two weeks.

    Producer Robert Stigwood wanted to call the film Saturday Night, but singer Robin Gibb didn't like the title. Stigwood liked the title Night Fever but was wary of marketing a movie with that name.

  • 'Jive Talkin''

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (17)

    Bee Gees - Jive Talkin' (Video)

    The lead single from their 1975 album Main Course, this was arguably the first time they took on a disco/funk sound and succeeded.

    Read more: When Barry and Robin Gibb sang a flawless medley as Maurice tried to make them laugh

    The song's rhythm was based on the sound their car made crossing the Julia Tuttle Causeway each day from Biscayne Bay to Criteria Studios in Miami.

  • 'You Win Again'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (18)

    Bee Gees - You Win Again

    This song was a huge comeback for the Gibb brothers in 1987. It reached number one and also gave them an Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

    Barry wrote the melody while Maurice came up with the drum sounds in his garage. Robin said: "We absolutely thought that 'You Win Again' was going to be a big hit. It took us a month to cut it and get the right mix."

  • 'How Deep Is Your Love'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (19)

    Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love (1977)

    Another Saturday Night Fever track, instead of a disco stomper the Bee Gees carved out their finest love song. Take That later scored a number one with a cover in 1996.

    Read more: The Story of... 'How Deep Is Your Love'

    Barry said of the track: "A lot of the textures you hear in the song were added on later. We didn't change any lyrics, mind you, but the way we recorded it was a little different than the way we wrote in the terms of construction.

    Read more: Relive the Bee Gees' flawless impromptu acapella performance of 'How Deep Is Your Love' on live TV - video

    "A little different for the better, I think, the title 'How Deep Is Your Love' we thought was perfect because of all the connotations involved in that sentence, and that was simply it."

  • 'Stayin' Alive'

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (20)

    Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive (Official Music Video)

    The Bee Gees wrote this song over a few days after being contacted by producer Robert Stigwood. RSO Records wanted the song to be named ‘Saturday Night’ after the then-title of the film, but they added the ‘Fever’ to encompass the song title of ‘Night Fever’ instead.

    Read more: The Story of... 'Stayin' Alive'

    Barry Gibb said of the track: “People crying out for help. Desperate songs. Those are the ones that become giants. The minute you capture that on record, it’s gold.”

  • The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked (2024)

    FAQs

    The 20 greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked? ›

    Spending 3 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, “How Deep is Your Love” reigns as the most successful Bee Gees song.

    What was the Bee Gees' biggest hit of all time? ›

    Spending 3 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 charts, “How Deep is Your Love” reigns as the most successful Bee Gees song.

    What caused Robin Gibb's death? ›

    The cause was complications of cancer and intestinal surgery, his family said in a statement. Mr. Gibb had been hospitalized for intestinal problems several times in the last two years. Cancer had spread from his colon to his liver, and in the weeks before his death he had pneumonia and for a while was in a coma.

    Which Bee Gee had the best voice? ›

    Bee Gees star Barry Gibb's falsetto is synonymous with the golden era of disco music. And it was the high-pitched vocal that pushed the legendary British pop trio Bee Gees to the top of the charts the world over.

    What was the No 1 hit for the Bee Gees? ›

    Disc: 1
    1How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
    2How Deep Is Your Love
    3Jive Talkin'
    4Massachusetts
    5I Started A Joke

    Who was the most talented Bee Gee? ›

    DJ Paul Gambaccini said: "Maurice was the talented multi-instrumentalist, I mean here is a guy who played keyboards, guitar, bass and percussion." Bruce Eder of AllMusic declared the track "Back Home" had "the loudest guitar ever heard on a Bee Gees record".

    What was the 1979 number one hit for the Bee Gees? ›

    On this day in 1979, Bee Gees track “Love You Inside Out” hit #1 in the U.S. This track, like many of their hits before it, made history for The Bee Gees.

    Which Bee Gee had an open marriage? ›

    Dwina Gibb, 61, an artist, writer and bisexual self-styled druid priestess, said she and the singer had a “certain kind of freedom” in their marriage, but loved each other deeply. More than one women: Robin Gibb performs in Dubai in 2008, four years before his death, aged 62.

    Why did Barry and Robin Gibb not get along? ›

    No sooner had they become famous than the Bee Gees fell out – or, rather, Barry and Robin did: none of the brothers had a clearly defined role in the band, and they ended up arguing over who was the frontman. “Before we ever became famous were the best times of our lives,” he says.

    What were Robin Gibb's last words? ›

    I wish Mo was here, I can't believe he is gone.

    Who was the most handsome Bee Gee? ›

    Barry was the eldest, often considered the most handsome, and the Bee Gees' name was even taken from his initials.

    Why did Robin Gibb cover his ears when he sang? ›

    In order to center his tone, he often cupped his ear when he sang.

    Which Bee Gee had buck teeth? ›

    I unexpectedly learned to appreciate the Bee Gees through Robin's contributions. Alongside his elder brother Barry and his fraternal twin Maurice, Robin was the improbable one: awkward, buck-toothed and gawky, with an unruly mop of bouffant hair.

    What song did the Bee Gees write for Elvis? ›

    "Words" - Elvis Presley rehearsal 1970

    Bee Gees cover of the song written for him to perform until his death in 1977.

    Who sang most of the Bee Gees songs? ›

    • Barry and Robin were the leads for all The Bee Gees hits. ...
    • Barry and Robin sharing lead: 11.
    • Barry: 17 + 1 solo = 18.
    • Barry and Barbra: 2.
    • Robin: 2 + 2 solo = 4.
    • Background: 11 (Andy Gibb 7, Samantha Sang 1, Barbra 1, Dionne Warwick 1, Kenny & Dolly 1)
    Jan 9, 2023

    Did Andy Gibb have any number one hits? ›

    In the United States, Gibb became the first male solo artist to have three consecutive number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, with all of the weeks at the top of the chart happening in less than year, from 30 July 1977 through 29 July 1978.

    How many number 1 songs did the Bee Gees wrote? ›

    As artists, in the USA the Bee Gees have had twenty-nine Top 40 hits, fifteen Top 10's and nine number ones. But perhaps because of their incredible accomplishment of having written number one records in four consecutive decades, the brothers considered themselves, first and foremost, to be songwriters.

    What caused Andy Gibb's death? ›

    At around 8:30 am on 10 March 1988, Gibb's doctor informed him more tests were needed to determine the cause of his chest pains. Shortly afterward, Gibb slumped into unconsciousness and died as a result of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle most likely caused by a virus.

    What song did the Bee Gees write for the Beatles? ›

    None. Interesting though, the Bee Gee's tune “Lonely Day's” was mistaken for a Beatles song. I suppose the intricate harmonies and accents played into that. The BeeGees were certainly inspired by the Beatles and pulled some of their sound into their music.

    What was the Bee Gees' first hit song? ›

    The end result was the record Bee Gees 1st, which contained their first international hit with folk ballad “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” From there, the Bee Gees destiny as music legends was nothing but inevitable.

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