Whether you’re a Bee Gees megafan or just an occasional listener who loves the pop-disco stylings of these 1960s legends, the band has quite a hefty discography that might be difficult to go through in its entirety. There are quite a few underrated Bee Gees songs out there that might have passed under your radar. Let’s look at three tracks worth rediscovering or discovering for the very first time!
1. “Sound Of Love”
Ah, “Sound Of Love”. Few Bee Gees songs showcase just how well its members could belt out vocals like this one. Barry Gibb sounds particularly lovely on this 1969 track, as does Scott Walker’s moody vocal delivery. Bill Shepherd’s arrangement on this song is the foundation, but it’s the singing that really pulls it all together. It’s a standout track on Odessa.
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“Sound Of Love” is a sorely underrated treat that sends shivers down one’s spine. Nobody was hitting these notes in pop songs at the time. Yet again, Bee Gees pioneered a new era in music. Etta James famously covered the song as well.
2. “To Love Somebody”
This 1967 track is a real hidden gem and a great example of their disco era. It’s a musician’s song, too. “To Love Somebody” is one of many underrated Bee Gees songs that has been covered by the band’s contemporaries. It was notably covered by the famed singer Nina Simone for the album of covers back in 1969. Nick Cave even said that it is one of the best love songs in history, and we’re inclined to agree.
It’s a larger-than-life track that is essential listening for any Bee Gees fan, especially those who first became fans of the band’s disco-focused songs.
3. “I Started A Joke”
The instrumentation on “I Started A Joke” from 1968 is on another level. That’s one thing Bee Gees was able to do well consistently across their entire career. “I Started A Joke” featured a luscious bassline, soft guitar chords, and a delicate sort of musicality that isn’t easy to find; even in the golden era of music that was the 1960s.
This track has a lot of depth that could appeal to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. It’s wild that “I Started A Joke” isn’t as big as Bee Gees’ other hits.
Photo by Michael Putland
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