Massachusetts (Bee Gees song)
Encyclopedia
"Massachusetts" is a song written, recorded, and released by the Bee Gees
in 1967 and later appearing on their 1968 album
, Horizontal
. It was their first Number 1 hit in the UK
and eventually became one of the best selling singles of all times.
For Maurice Gibb
, the song had a painful memory attached. Shortly after it was recorded, Beatles manager Brian Epstein
told him that it was beautiful and would be the hit of the summer. These proved to be Epstein's last words to Maurice; Epstein died a few days later.
" by The Move
was the first record played on BBC Radio 1
, Massachusetts was the second.
Former Yugoslav band Siluete
covered the song, in 1967.
Ed Ames recorded a version of this song on his album "Who Will Answer?", in 1968.
Also in 1968, Hong Kong
female singer Betty Chung (鍾玲玲) covered this song in Mandarin Chinese language with Chinese
lyrics written by Wei Yin (魏因) and given the title name of 我祝福他, appearing on her LP album 野火 (Wild Flame), and released by EMI Pathe Records
.
Between 1972 and 1974, this song was covered by Singapore
-based female singer Ervinna, backing music by The Charlie & His Boys, on her LP album Golden Hits Of 20th Century Vol. 6 with White Cloud Record of Singapore
.
This single is the first number-one hit single by a non-Japanese artist on Japan's official hit chart, Oricon
. Strangely, even though "Massachusetts" was a worldwide number one single, it only reached #11 in the United States where the state of Massachusetts
is located.
When Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb wrote this song, it was originally intended to be recorded by The Seekers
, but they did not record it. The Seekers finally recorded it after Maurice Gibb's death in 2003, as a tribute to him.
When the Bee Gees wrote the song, they had never been to Massachusetts. The boys simply loved the word. The song was written on a boat near the Statue of Liberty.
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...
in 1967 and later appearing on their 1968 album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Horizontal
Horizontal (album)
Horizontal is the Bee Gees' fourth studio album, and second to seek an international release. The LP was released in early 1968, and included the international hit singles "Massachusetts" and "World"....
. It was their first Number 1 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...
and eventually became one of the best selling singles of all times.
For 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 song had a painful memory attached. Shortly after it was recorded, Beatles manager Brian Epstein
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein , was an English music entrepreneur, and is best known for being the manager of The Beatles up until his death. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Remo Four & The Cyrkle...
told him that it was beautiful and would be the hit of the summer. These proved to be Epstein's last words to Maurice; Epstein died a few days later.
Trivia
The song has a minor claim to fame in the history of British radio. While many people know "Flowers in the RainFlowers in the Rain
"Flowers in the Rain" is a song by the sixties Rock band The Move. The song was released as a single and reached number two in 1967 on the UK Singles Chart....
" by The Move
The Move
The Move, from Birmingham, England, were one of the leading British rock bands of the 1960s. They scored nine Top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any success in the United States....
was the first record played on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, Massachusetts was the second.
Former Yugoslav band Siluete
Siluete
Siluete was a former Yugoslav and Serbian rock band from Belgrade, notable for being one of the pioneers of the former Yugoslav rock scene.-1961 - 1971:...
covered the song, in 1967.
Ed Ames recorded a version of this song on his album "Who Will Answer?", in 1968.
Also in 1968, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
female singer Betty Chung (鍾玲玲) covered this song in Mandarin Chinese language with Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
lyrics written by Wei Yin (魏因) and given the title name of 我祝福他, appearing on her LP album 野火 (Wild Flame), and released by EMI Pathe Records
Pathé Records (Hong Kong)
Pathé Records is the first major record company in Shanghai, China and later Hong Kong. The company was a subsidiary of the original Pathé Records conglomerate.-History:...
.
Between 1972 and 1974, this song was covered by Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-based female singer Ervinna, backing music by The Charlie & His Boys, on her LP album Golden Hits Of 20th Century Vol. 6 with White Cloud Record of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
.
This single is the first number-one hit single by a non-Japanese artist on Japan's official hit chart, Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
. Strangely, even though "Massachusetts" was a worldwide number one single, it only reached #11 in the United States where the state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
is located.
When Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb wrote this song, it was originally intended to be recorded by The Seekers
The Seekers
The Seekers are an Australian folk-influenced pop music group which were originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States...
, but they did not record it. The Seekers finally recorded it after Maurice Gibb's death in 2003, as a tribute to him.
When the Bee Gees wrote the song, they had never been to Massachusetts. The boys simply loved the word. The song was written on a boat near the Statue of Liberty.
Chart performance
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
| Belgium | 1 |
| Canada | 1 |
| Chile | 1 |
| China | 2 |
| France | 4 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Italy | 5 |
| Japan | 1 |
| Netherlands | 1 |
| New Zealand | 1 |
| Norway | 1 |
| South Africa | 1 |
| Sweden | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
| United States | 11 |