Words (Bee Gees song)

"Words"
Single by Bee Gees
B-side	"Sinking Ships"
Released	January 1968
Format	7" single
Recorded	3 October 1967 IBC Studios, London
Genre	Blues, ballad
Length	3:13
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/The Singer Sang his Song" (1968)
Music sample "Words"

"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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]} The very limited distribution of the film and the pre-emptive release of the Bee Gees version eclipsed the Georgie Fame recording.^{[citation needed]}

The vocals feature a very strong vibrato. 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.

The B-side for "Words" was "Sinking Ships," one of the very rare songs by the Bee Gees to feature all three brothers with lead vocals: Barry and Robin Gibb in the verses and Maurice Gibb on the song's chorus.

"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.

Personnel

• Barry Gibb – lead and backing vocals, guitar
• Maurice Gibb – piano, bass
• Colin Petersen – drums
• Bill Shepherd - orchestral arrangement

Chart performance

Country	Peak position
Germany	1
Netherlands	1
China	1
Belgium	4
Austria	4
Canada	4
Norway	7
United Kingdom	8
France	9
Italy	11
Australia	13
United States	15
Japan	19

Cover versions

Lill Lindfors covered the song in 1968, in Swedish as "Nu".

Glen Campbell released a version of the song on his 1968 #1 album Wichita Lineman.

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 his 1973 album Milestones.

Jessica Mauboy sang a cover of the song on Australian Idol season 4 on the Final 5 ARIA Hall of Fame theme night.

Boyzone Version

"Words"
Single by Boyzone
from the album A Different Beat
Released	US: 2 October 1996 UK: 7 October 1996
Format	CD
Recorded	1995
Genre	Pop
Length	4:02
Writer(s)	Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Boyzone singles chronology
"Coming Home Now" (1996) "Words" (1996) "A Different Beat" (1996)

"Words" became the first single from Irish Boyband Boyzone's album A Different Beat. The single was their seventh single overall, becoming 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,^{[citation needed]} selling 520,000 copies^{[citation needed]} and receiving a Gold certification. The song was the 16th best selling single of 1996 in the UK.^{[citation needed]}

Tracklisting

CD1

1. Words (Radio Edit) – 3:55
2. The Price Of Love – 3:11
3. Words (Alternative Mix) – 3:53

CD2 (In Limited Edition Digipak)

1. Words (Radio Edit) – 3:55
2. The Price Of Love – 3:11
3. What Can You Do For Me – 2:59
4. Words (Alternative Mix) – 3:53

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Irish Singles Chart	1
UK Singles Chart	1
Austrian Singles Chart	2
Swiss Singles Chart	2
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart	3
Swedish Singles Chart	4
Danish Singles Chart	7
German Singles Chart	7
Norwegian Singles Chart	14
Dutch Singles Chart	15
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart	16
French Singles Chart	31
Australian Singles Chart	96

End of year charts

End of year chart (1996)	Position
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart[citation needed]	67
UK Singles Chart[citation needed]	16

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by "How Bizarre" by OMC	Irish IRMA number-one single 5 October 1996 (5 weeks)	Succeeded by "Rat Trap" by Dustin & Bob Geldof
Preceded by "Setting Sun" by Chemical Brothers	UK Singles Chart number-one single 13 October 1996 (1 week)	Succeeded by "Say You'll Be There" by Spice Girls