High Civilization
Encyclopedia
High Civilization is the Bee Gees
' nineteenth original album, released in 1991. It was their last album recorded for Warner Bros. Records
, after a four-year contract. Possibly in reaction to firm resistance from U.S. radio to the previous two albums, E.S.P.
(1987) and One
(1989) which had done well in other countries, the US-based Warner Bros gave this one less promotion and did not issue remixes. Engineered by Femi Jiya, High Civilization found a new change for the Bee Gees sound, with heavier use of drum programming and electronic effects, making a relatively cool production. Highlights from the album included the first single, "Secret Love
", an up-tempo ballad, which was a Top 5 hit in the UK
, "When He's Gone
", a heavier pop song, issued as the album's second single, and the sentimental ballad "The Only Love", released as the third and final single from the album. The soft ballad "Happy Ever After" was also a cassette-only single released.
While it did not chart in the U.S.
, it reached #6 in Switzerland
, #2 in Germany
(reaching Platinum certification in both countries), #24 in the UK
and sold 1.1 million copies worldwide.
Both High Civilization and Size Isn't Everything
were the only post-RSO era albums not to feature tours of the US in their support, presumably due to health issues with Barry Gibb and lackluster record sales.
Despite the album's failure, the brothers would work with Femi Jiya again on the follow-up, Size Isn't Everything
.
All compositions by Barry
, Robin
and Maurice Gibb
.
"The Only Love" was written with a view to being covered. The Bee Gees offered the song to Bryan Adams
, though he declined their offer.
Bee Gees
The Bee Gees are a musical group that originally comprised three brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The trio was successful for most of their 40-plus years of recording music, but they had two distinct periods of exceptional success: as a pop act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as a...
' nineteenth original album, released in 1991. It was their last album recorded for Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, after a four-year contract. Possibly in reaction to firm resistance from U.S. radio to the previous two albums, E.S.P.
E.S.P. (Bee Gees album)
E.S.P. is the Bee Gees' seventeenth original album. Released in 1987, it was the band's first studio album in six years, and the first album they released under their new contract with Warner Bros...
(1987) and One
One (Bee Gees album)
One is the Bee Gees' eighteenth studio album, released in April 1989 . After the European success of their previous album, E.S.P., the Gibb brothers began to work on the One album in early 1988. In March, their brother Andy suddenly died and the Bee Gees took a break until November when they...
(1989) which had done well in other countries, the US-based Warner Bros gave this one less promotion and did not issue remixes. Engineered by Femi Jiya, High Civilization found a new change for the Bee Gees sound, with heavier use of drum programming and electronic effects, making a relatively cool production. Highlights from the album included the first single, "Secret Love
Secret Love (Bee Gees song)
"Secret Love" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was the lead single of their album High Civilisation, released in March 1991. It is an up-tempo ballad with a clear Supremes style similar to the 1986 Diana Ross hit "Chain Reaction", which was written by The Bee Gees...
", an up-tempo ballad, which was a Top 5 hit in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, "When He's Gone
When He's Gone
"When He's Gone" is the first and only American single from the 1991 Bee Gees album High Civilization. Warner Bros. did nothing to promote the album or the single and neither charted in America, the first and only time a Bee Gees album failed to chart in America. The Bee Gees made two TV...
", a heavier pop song, issued as the album's second single, and the sentimental ballad "The Only Love", released as the third and final single from the album. The soft ballad "Happy Ever After" was also a cassette-only single released.
While it did not chart in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, it reached #6 in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, #2 in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
(reaching Platinum certification in both countries), #24 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and sold 1.1 million copies worldwide.
Both High Civilization and Size Isn't Everything
Size Isn't Everything
Size Isn't Everything is the Bee Gees' twentieth studio album. It was released in the UK on September 13, 1993, and in the United States on November 2, 1993.-History:...
were the only post-RSO era albums not to feature tours of the US in their support, presumably due to health issues with Barry Gibb and lackluster record sales.
Despite the album's failure, the brothers would work with Femi Jiya again on the follow-up, Size Isn't Everything
Size Isn't Everything
Size Isn't Everything is the Bee Gees' twentieth studio album. It was released in the UK on September 13, 1993, and in the United States on November 2, 1993.-History:...
.
Track listing
- "High Civilization" – 5:31
- "Secret LoveSecret Love (Bee Gees song)"Secret Love" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was the lead single of their album High Civilisation, released in March 1991. It is an up-tempo ballad with a clear Supremes style similar to the 1986 Diana Ross hit "Chain Reaction", which was written by The Bee Gees...
" – 3:42 - "When He's GoneWhen He's Gone"When He's Gone" is the first and only American single from the 1991 Bee Gees album High Civilization. Warner Bros. did nothing to promote the album or the single and neither charted in America, the first and only time a Bee Gees album failed to chart in America. The Bee Gees made two TV...
" – 5:59 - "Happy Ever After" – 6:17
- "Party with No Name" – 4:56
- "Ghost Train" – 6:04
- "Dimensions" – 5:28
- "The Only Love" – 5:36
- "Human Sacrifice" – 5:42
- "True Confessions" – 5:16 (Song not included on cassette version)
- "Evolution" – 5:37
All compositions by Barry
Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Robin
Robin Gibb
Robin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
and Maurice Gibb
Maurice Gibb
Maurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
.
"The Only Love" was written with a view to being covered. The Bee Gees offered the song to Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
, though he declined their offer.
Singles
- "Secret LoveSecret Love (Bee Gees song)"Secret Love" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was the lead single of their album High Civilisation, released in March 1991. It is an up-tempo ballad with a clear Supremes style similar to the 1986 Diana Ross hit "Chain Reaction", which was written by The Bee Gees...
" - "When He's GoneWhen He's Gone"When He's Gone" is the first and only American single from the 1991 Bee Gees album High Civilization. Warner Bros. did nothing to promote the album or the single and neither charted in America, the first and only time a Bee Gees album failed to chart in America. The Bee Gees made two TV...
" - "The Only Love"
- "Happy Ever After"
Personnel
- Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
- vocals, guitar - Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
- vocals - Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
- vocals, keyboards, synthesiser, guitar - Tim MooreTim MooreTim Moore may refer to:* Tim Moore , American actor, vaudeville and television comedian* Tim Moore , British travel writer and humorist* Tim Moore , songwriter who released five solo albums on Elektra Records...
- keyboards, synthesiser, programmer - Alan KendallAlan KendallAlan Kendall is an English musician and was the lead guitarist for the popular band the Bee Gees, before they retired the band name due to the death of Maurice Gibb in 2003...
- guitar - George PerryGeorge PerryGeorge Perry may refer to:*George Perry , Scottish engineer, ironmaster, draughtsman and cartographer*George Perry , former Ontario MPP*George Perry , 19th century English naturalist...
- bass - Lenny CastroLenny CastroLenny Castro is an American freelancing percussionist in the studio recording industry in the Los Angeles area.-Early life:Castro is a percussionist of Puerto Rican descent and was born and raised in New York City. His father, Hector Castro, played the keyboard in a Latin style and gave his son...
- percussion - Julia Waters & Maxine WatersMaxine WatersMaxine Waters is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 29th district, serving since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party....
- vocals - Femi Jiya & John Merchant - engineer