Birdie Told Me
| "Birdie Told Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Bee Gees from the album Horizontal | ||||
| Released | February 1968 | |||
| Recorded | 30 July, 1 and 10 August, 28 October 1967 | |||
| Genre | Soft rock, progressive rock | |||
| Length |
2:19 (mono) 2:23 (stereo) | |||
| Producer | Robert Stigwood, Bee Gees | |||
| Horizontal track listing | ||||
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"Birdie Told Me" is a song by the Bee Gees, recorded for the album Horizontal (1967). It was written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. The song has a duration to 2 minutes and 19 seconds in mono version, while on the stereo, the song ends in 2:23.
"Birdie Told Me" was covered by Dodle Best.
Recording
As the band entered the Chappell Studios to begin the recording in earnest. The first song they recorded was "Birdie Told Me". Barry recalls "'Birdie Told Me' is something I think I brought in, really about love on the rebound". "Obviously the person has lost the one he loves, and she's telling him it's going to be alright. A pretty song" adds Barry.[1]
Robin adds,
"It's got a flavor of the late '60s in it, that's the kind of song you would hear from a film of the time. I really love the chorus; it's a very poignant song. The original idea that Barry had for 'Birdie Told Me' came at Chappell Studios, which is the original Chappell Music [Publishers office], but they had a studio upstairs. We used to alternate between there and the IBC Studios in Portland Place, which was just opposite the BBC."[1]
The song recorded four times started at Chappell Studios but was ended recording at the IBC Studios. The first version was recorded in July 30, the second version was on August 1, the third version was on August 10 and finished at October 28.[2]
Musical structure
"Birdie Told Me" would eventually have orchestra and choir in addition to a nice lead guitar break by Vince Melouney on the song's second chorus. The song starts with a bass line and the first chord was A, C#m, B minor and E and repeat again while Barry sings the first lines of chorus Birdie told me, I must get over you, somehow. As Barry sings And she told me, never to think of you, right now, the backing vocalists were heard on the background. The orchestra backing by Bill Shepherd was played in the refrain and the second chorus. The song was also ends with an A chord.[3]
Personnel
- Barry Gibb — lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar
- Maurice Gibb — bass guitar
- Vince Melouney — lead guitar
- Colin Petersen — drums
- Bill Shepherd — orchestral arrangement
References
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