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I.O.I.O.

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For the Android-compatible electronic board, see IOIO.
"I.O.I.O."
Song
B-side"Sweetheart"[1]

"I.O.I.O." is a song by the Bee Gees, released on the album Cucumber Castle. It was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. The song was released as a single in March 1970, and was also one of the highlights of the album. The single was a relative success mainly on European charts. Its music video is taken from the film Cucumber Castle.

It was a cult favourite of fans, however, and made it onto the compilation Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2.[2]

Recording

The title "I.O.I.O." is derived from the calls on the chorus sung by Maurice accompanied by Colin's drumming, and Barry sings the verses and plays guitar. Former Bee Gees guitarist Vince Melouney was featured, having played the guitar on the song's first session on 12 June 1968 during sessions for, Idea, but was not present when the song was finished, as he left the group following the album Odessa.[3] The song's second session was October 8, 1969 after they had recorded "Twinky" (unreleased) and "The Chance of Love". (Pentangle drummer Terry Cox added drums on the October 8 sessions)[4] Maurice claims that the song was not even quite finished, but it still had Barry's guide vocal on it. The song also is notable for being the only Bee Gees A-side single to feature any vocal solos from Maurice Gibb, these being on the "I.O." chant.[5]

Musical structure

"I.O.I.O."
"I.O.I.O." is a 1970 song by the Bee Gees.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

It marked the group's first conscious delving into what is now called 'world music'. According to Robin Gibb, it grew out of Barry's visit to Africa.[2] Maurice Gibb described this as "Barry's African jaunt". This is evident from the percussion break at the song's beginning.

Personnel

Charts

Cover versions

  • In 1972 TV actor Butch Patrick, backed by the band Sugarloaf, released a version produced by Frank Slay.
  • American boy band B3 released a cover in 2002, which was a hit in Germany reaching #4 in the German charts and becoming their biggest chart success.
  • Also in 2002, the song became a huge hit for South African singer Kurt Darren in an adapted Afrikaans language version called "IO Meisie"
  • A Taiwanese version of the song is covered by S.H.E. using the same tune and the "I.O.I.O" chorus. In Taiwanese Mandarin the "I.O.I.O." chorus sounds similar to love me, love me (愛我，愛我).

B3 version

Charts Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[15] 5
Germany (Media Control Charts) 4

References

  1. ^ Discogs.com. "Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. releases history".
  2. ^ Joseph Brennan. "Gibb Songs: 1968".
  3. ^ Joseph Brennan. "Gibb Songs: 1969".
  4. ^ Melinda Bilyeu, Hector Cook, Andrew Môn Hughes. The Bee Gees. Retrieved 6 December 2014.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b "Billboard: Hits of the World". Billboard. September 12, 1970. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  7. ^ a b "Bee Gees - I.O.I.O." austriancharts.at. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Bee Gees - I.O.I.O." ultratop.be. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Bee Gees - I.O.I.O." officialcharts.de. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Bee Gees - I.O.I.O." dutchcharts.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Billboard Hits of the World". Billboard. July 25, 1970. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  12. ^ "Bee Gees Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Bee Gees - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  14. ^ AustrianCharts.com B3 discography page
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