Words

"Words"
Single by Bee Gees
B-side	"Sinking Ships"
Released	January 1968
Format	vinyl record
Recorded	October 3, 1967 IBC Studios, London
Genre	Pop
Length	3:15
Label	UK: Polydor 56229, USA/CA: Atco
Writer(s)	Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb/Maurice Gibb
Producer	Robert Stigwood
Bee Gees singles chronology
"World" (1967) "Words" (1968) "Jumbo" (1968)

"Words" is a song written and sung by the Bee Gees, released in the beginning of 1968. Barry Gibb said in 1996 on the VH1 Storytellers television show that it was written for their manager Robert Stigwood. It was originally intended for Cliff Richard, but he never got round to recording the track as he wasn't making an album at the time. Rather than wasting the song, The Bee Gees decided to record it themselves. ^[1]

As stated on the Bee Gees single the song was featured in the film The Mini Mob (1968), where it was sung by Georgie Fame in an arrangement by Bill Shepherd similar to the Bee Gees single but recorded earlier. The very limited distribution of the film and the pre-emptive release of the Bee Gees version eclipsed the Georgie Fame recording.

Barry Gibb sings lead vocal and possibly all the backing vocals as well. The band consisted of: Barry Gibb (rhythm guitar), Maurice Gibb (piano and bass guitar), and Colin Petersen (drums), with an orchestral arrangement by Bill Shepherd. Some backing vocals near the end are heard only on the mono mix used on the single, some compilations, and the Studio Albums box set.

Words has been recorded by many other artists. Among them are a hit version by Rita Coolidge in 1978 and Boyzone in 1996 (on the album A Different Beat). This single by Boyzone was their fifth single and their first number one hit in the UK.

Chart performance

Cover versions

Country singer Susie Allanson covered the song in 1978, reaching #8 on the country charts.

Elvis Presley performed the song live in the late 60's and early 70's as part of his concerts and is available on the 1970 live album Elvis in Person at the International Hotel.

Rita Coolidge's version reached the Top 40 in the UK peaking at #25 in 1978.

Roy Orbison sang a rare cover version on this album Milestones.

Boyzone Tracklist

UK CD maxi

1. Words (Radio Edit)
2. The Price Of Love
3. Words (Alternative Mix)

UK CD Digipak

1. Words (Radio Edit)
2. The Price Of Love
3. What Can You Do For Me
4. Words (Alternative Mix)

Boyzone version

"Words"
Single by Boyzone
from the album A Different Beat
Released	2 October 1996 7 October 1996
Format	CD
Recorded	1995
Genre	Pop
Length	4:02
Boyzone singles chronology
"Coming Home Now" (1996) "Words" (1996) "A Different Beat" (1996)

"Words" is the first single from Irish boy band Boyzone's album A Different Beat, this single was their fifth single and their first number one hit in the UK. The song was also the 10th biggest selling boyband single of the 90's in the UK selling 520,000 copies and has received a Gold sales status certification.

The song was the 16th best selling single of 1996 in the UK.

Charts

References