First of May (Bee Gees song)

"First of May" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees with lead vocals by Barry Gibb, released as a single from their 1969 double album Odessa. The flip side of a single was "Lamplight" on which Robin Gibb sang the lead. Robert Stigwood, the Bee Gees manager chose "First of May" for the A-side. No other singles were released from the Odessa album, as Robin Gibb already had left the group.^[2]

The song was partially responsible for the departure of Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees. Robin had wanted his song, "Lamplight," to be the album's first single, while Barry preferred "First of May." In the end, Barry's judgment won, and Robin quit the band.

This song was initially taped in demo form in New York City on August 16, 1968.^[3] Later that year in London, "First of May" was remade at IBC Studios with an orchestral arrangement from maestro Bill Shepherd. Barry Gibb says in Tales from the Brothers Gibb that the title of the song came from the birthday of his dog, Barnaby.^[4]

After its release, "First of May" enjoyed a resurgence several times. In 1971, the song was featured in the soundtrack to Melody, a British motion picture about puppy love.^[5] In 1996, the song was used as a theme of the Japanese drama Wakaba no Koro.^[6] The song reissued on CD climbed the country's chart again and gained moderate commercial success, selling more than 100,000 copies.^[7]

Cover versions

Cover versions of this song were recorded by Matt Monro, Jose Feliciano (released on 10 To 23 by RCA in 1969^[8]) and Tony Hadley (released as a single in 1998). In 2005 Robin Gibb re-recorded "First of May" with the British vocal troupe G4 for their album G4 & Friends. This song was also sung by Sarah Brightman in her One Night in Eden,^[9] La Luna and Symphony tours.^[10] The song was also covered by Irish ballad group The Wolfe Tones, on their album Let the People Sing.

Chart positions

References