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| Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb – 1993. |
This November marked 20 years since the Bee Gees released one of the strongest ballads of their career with a song that – had it not been for the likes of Mr Blobby – may’ve even been a UK Christmas #1. As it turned out, the brothers had to settle for a very respectable UK #4 chart peak, as well as top 10 placings in various other European territories.
The Brazilians, however, knew more than anybody that For Whom The Bell Tolls wasn’t just a nice song and it made it all the way to #1 there. It is a track for me which I will never stop trying to introduce to people because as much as it was a big hit, it gets lost a little in the depths of the Gibb catalogue. Particularly in the States where the song was ignored by radio programmers due to the idiotic lingering of the Saturday Night Fever backlash, many American fans are surprised at both how good 90s Bee Gees music was and also that it was so successful. Just not in their back yard.
One of two songs the brothers wrote that lifted a title from Hemingway (the other being Islands In The Stream), For Whom The Bell Tolls is the best of what the pop ballad can be: a massive hook, an unforgettable title, an emotional lyric and expert song-craft.
Listen closely to For Whom The Bell Tolls (and preferably the full five minute album version and not the inferior single edit) and hear the use of Barry’s falsetto, then natural voice and then Robin in natural voice singing so high it would be in Barry’s (lower) falsetto range. The choruses (with Barry and Maurice on harmonies) are the sort of blue-eyed soul that Robin did so well, matched with the lyrics:
When the lonely heart breaks
It’s the one that forsakes
It’s the dream that we stole
And I’m missing you more
And the fire that will roar
There’s a hole in my soul
For you it’s goodbye
And for me it’s to cry
For Whom The Bell Tolls
I asked Barry in a 2009 interview about For Whom The Bell Tolls and I remember him telling me that when the chorus came to him he knew instantly it would sound nice with brother Robin singing lead. As with so many Gibb songs like Nights On Broadway, Massachusetts, Please Don’t Turn Out The Lights, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, I’ve Gotta’ Get A Message and to a more subtle extent You Win Again, much of the magic is in the vocal interplay between Barry and Robin and then the three-part harmonies with Maurice.
Regarding the subject matter, there are aspects of the lyrics that sound like they could be written about baby brother Andy who’d died five years earlier, but the reality is more likely to be of a romantic love lost. Regardless, this is a song which doesn’t just come across as merely good or catchy, it’s patently sad while still sounding big.
So is it the finest post-Fever Bee Gees song? The realisation of the song’s large structural and production aspirations, coupled with the emotion of the lyrics means it is up there for me. But so too are You Win Again, Wish You Were Here, Ordinary Lives, Happy Ever After, The Longest Night, Sprits Having Flown, Too Much Heaven, Guilty, Woman In Love, Hold Me, You And I, Islands In The Stream, Chain Reaction, Alone, Immortality, Heartbreaker, Nothing Could Be Good, Don’t Fall In Love With Me, Rings Around The Moon, Blue Island, Man On Fire etc etc etc.
One of my favourites, here is For Whom The Bell Tolls.
PS. December 1st marks the birthday of Barry’s eldest child, Stephen Gibb and this is the big 4-0. Stephen has spent many years playing lead guitar in hard-rock and heavy-metal bands and these days tours with his father, providing a compelling counterpoint to the music of the Bee Gees. His presence as a rock guitarist of considerable esteem also serves as a reminder of the full spectrum of genres the brothers wrote in with his live versions of Maurice’s brilliant swamp-rock solo song On Time being one of the many highlights from the Mythology concerts of 2013. Happy birthday and may 2014 be another great year for you and the family.
It's an awesome song. In fact, it's often at the top of my – somewhat dynamic – Bee Gees' all time list. The chorus is incredibly powerful and it benefits from two different Barry voices as well as that wonderful Robin chorus.
I remember being overwhelmed when I heard it on the radio. It hadn't yet been released as a single and the album wasn't yet out, but Paying the Price of Love was in the lower reaches of the top 40. The comment from the DJ (Steve Wright?) was on the lines of, "This has got to be their next single…."
Thanks, Tim. I missed Barry's interview about writing the chorus, presumably from melody to full music and lyrics. Given Barry's immense generosity to highlight Robin's vocals in songs he wrote alone, what to make of a lingering sense of strife at times, as he reminisced their partnership?
There was such a moment from Mythology concert at Birmingham. After noting Robin's moods and being a "chart freak", "hit records freak", Barry then muttered quickly, "Thank goodness we wouldn't have written half the [songs/hits] we did, if it hadn't been for him". It is unclear though, if by "half" he meant the overall amount, or per song.
Perhaps, For Whom The Bell Tolls is an exception to that reference.
(For context, Barry noted Maurice's love of technology and gadgets, during the memoriam thus far. No mention of Mo in the way of songwriting, however.)
2014 is teeming with promise of yet more wonderful Mythology concerts. Still, what do we make of Barry's mostly consistent then, at times, ambiguously conflicted tone about writing with his brothers? Alas, there's nothing ambiguous about For Whom… as a much beloved fan favorite!
-Ginger
I absolutely love this song. Its just beautiful. I miss the BeeGees and feel they were the most talented writing group of all time. Wish the US would have given them the radio time they deserved after fever but am really enjoying catching up now. I really miss Robin. No one will ever sound like him.
I absolutely Love this song too. Anyone knows name of the Girl in the Official video? I searched in everywhere and I can't find her.
I absolutely Love this song too. Anyone knows name of the Girl in the Official video? I searched in everywhere and I can't find her.
She resembles Lana Del Ray, but Lana was 8 years old when the video was shot. Like you, I searched for the name of the girl in the video and haven’t found her yet. Maybe if we ask Barry, he’ll know and tell us.
It is my all time favorite from The Bee Gees. I think it is their finest piece of work. It’s a tune that has so many meanings besides a love lost. New meaning in every line! I love it!
I cannot stand to think that this so incredible gorgeous song could be forgotten or underrated … And what a sound ! The voices, the harmonies … I miss the Bee Gees :'(
Great song that will stay in my heart forever and ever after. Could someone tell me the name of the actress in the music video of this song?
The best song ever from Bee Gees. I’m also wanting to know the place where it was shot and the name of the girl in the Official Video. Many blessings!
” For Whom The Bell Tolls” Really a masterpiece. I had forgotten about it until I watched the HBO Max documentary. “Alone” was also a great song . I liked “You Win Again”. I think from 1987?
I keep listening to this over and over-its so beautiful. Their voices are so incredible – three angels-so gifted and talented writers. The HBO documentary is also just amazing and so touching. I wish I could of met them all . By far-the best ever……
To me, this is the best song they ever did – and that cannot be said lightly considering all of the wonder music they have done over the years.
My all time favorite Bee Gees song and running neck to neck with I’ve got to get a message to you. Thanks for featuring it. I am absolutely ashamed that the US DJs didnt give it any air time. I do wish its included in Greenfields Vol 2 because audiences deserve to hear this gem.
I also agree with you. Seems the DJs in the US would cherry pick songs they want to play. This song is such a beautiful song with Robin’s hauntingly good voice, I cannot imagine any DJ not playing this song. It is one of my favorite Bee Gees songs, and that’s saying a lot since I love so many of their songs!
Completley agree Barnali. A lot of great Bee Gees songs didn’t get the airplay they deserved. “This Is Where I Came In” from the early 2000s comes to mind. It’s a fantastic album. The title track did get some airplay on Adult Contemporary US radio stations. Not sure how it did in the UK and Australia.