Massachusetts

Bee Gees

About Massachusetts

"(The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts" is a song by the Bee Gees, released in 1967. Written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb. Robin Gibb sang lead vocals on this song and it would become one of his staple songs to perform during both Bee Gees concerts and his solo appearances. It later appeared on their 1968 album, Horizontal. The song became the first of the group's five No. 1 hits in the UK Singles Chart, reached No. 1 in twelve other countries, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually became one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over five million copies worldwide. When the brothers wrote the song, they had never been to Massachusetts. In a UK television special on ITV in December 2011, it was voted third (behind "How Deep Is Your Love" and "You Win Again") in "The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song". 


Year:
1998
2:23
101 
#1

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Feel I'm goin' back to Massachusetts
Something's telling me I must go home
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
The day I left her standing on her own

Tried to hitch a ride to San Francisco
Gotta do the things I wanna do
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
They brought me back to see my way with you

Talk about the life in Massachusetts
Speak about the people I have seen
And the lights all went out in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts is one place I have seen

I will remember Massachusetts

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Bee Gees

The Bee Gees were a musical group founded in 1958. The group's line-up consisted of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio were successful for most of their decades of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s/early 1970s, and as prominent performers of the disco music era in the late 1970s. The group sang three-part tight harmonies that were instantly recognisable; Robin's clear vibrato lead was a hallmark of their earlier hits, while Barry's R&B falsetto became their signature sound during the late 1970s and 1980s. The brothers wrote all of their own hits, as well as writing and producing several major hits for other artists. more »

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Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Band Formation
The song "Massachusetts" is performed by the Bee Gee's, a popular British band consisting of three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. Robin Gibb was a notable member of the band known for his distinct and versatile vocal range.
Song Success
Released on 11th September 1967, "Massachusetts" was a major hit for the Bee Gees and it became the group's first number one hit single in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries.
Inspiration
Interestingly, the song was written by the siblings during their first stay in New York, inspired by their feeling of homesickness for their native England, a contrast to the popular notion that it was about the US state of Massachusetts.
Recording Technique
According to Robin Gibb, the song was recorded in a very distinctive way. The rhythm was recorded on one track, then he sung vocals on another. This is why the song has such a unique vocal pattern.
Song Writing
Despite its title, none of the Gibb brothers had ever been to Massachusetts or knew much about the state when they wrote it. The lyrics were more about their desire to return home to England, fueled by the homesickness they felt while in America.
Popularity
It became one of their most successful and recognizable songs, even though it was not really representative of their typical sound. Its popularity has endured, with modern audiences often still familiar with the tune.
Album Inclusion
The song is included on their 1967 album "Bee Gees' 1st". Despite its success, "Massachusetts" was not the album's first single - that was "New York Mining Disaster 1941".
Cover Versions
Look for various cover versions of the song over the years by musicians such as The Seekers, Tommy Roe, and Declan Galbraith.
Chart Position
"Massachusetts" reached number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and also reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart.
Song Legacy
In 2001, the song was voted Britain's favourite number one single in a poll by the "Guinness World Records British Hit Singles" book.
Robin Gibb's Appreciation
Robin once confessed that "Massachusetts" is one of his favorite Bee Gees songs. He said, "We got a message across in a very subtle way, cloaked in a melody that everybody sings. It's one song I'm very proud of because it stopped the Vietnam War for 2 minutes and 25 seconds."

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