Alive (Bee Gees song)

"Alive"
Single by Bee Gees
from the album To Whom It May Concern
B-side "Paper Mache, Cabbages And Kings"
Released 10 November 1972
Format 7"
Recorded 21 October 1971
IBC Studios, London
Genre Soft rock, symphonic, pop
Length 4:03
Label Polydor (elsewhere)
Atco (US/CA)
Songwriter(s) Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb
Producer(s) Robert Stigwood, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Run To Me"
(1972)		 "Alive"
(1972)		 "Saw a New Morning"
(1973)

"Run To Me"
(1972)		 "Alive"
(1972)		 "Saw a New Morning"
(1973)
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"Alive" is a ballad recorded by the Bee Gees for their album To Whom It May Concern. It was the second and last single from the album released on 10 November 1972 worldwide. The song was credited to Barry and Maurice Gibb and produced by the Gibb's and their manager Robert Stigwood.[1]

Composition and recording

It was another piano ballad (customary for Bee Gees singles during this period), which Barry has noted that he doesn't even remember writing. As mastered for the album, the inherent dynamic range in the vocal and piano has unfortunately been compressed almost out of existence, but it still comes across as an expressive ballad.

"Alive" was recorded on October 21, 1971, with "My World" already recorded that previous week. Geoff Bridgford's drum work on this song, made his last appearance on any Bee Gees singles after he left in January 1972 (The previous single, "Run to Me" was recorded after Bridgford's departure).[2]

Releases

The remastered version found on Tales from the Brothers Gibb, has increases the range somewhat lost on the album version. This single reached number 34 on the US charts in 1973 and debuted on #63 on that chart.[3] It was the group's last top 40 hit in either the US or UK until "Jive Talkin'" in 1975. "Alive" was the group's last release on the Atco label. In 1973, the Bee Gees' manager, Robert Stigwood formed his own label, RSO Records, where the Gibb brothers enjoyed their most success. On the promo video for the single, Maurice first appears playing the piano, with Barry and Robin appearing only holding a microphone.

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Charts Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 45
Canada (RPM)[5] 28
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 34
US Billboard Easy Listening Charts[7] 20
US Cash Box[8] 26
US Record World[9] 33

Year-end charts

Chart (1972-1973) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] 23

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard: Radio Action and Pick Singles". Billboard: 85. November 4, 1972. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1971". Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart". November 18, 1972. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. ↑ "Canadian Chart". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  6. 1 2 "Bee Gees - Alive". dutchcharts.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  7. 1 2 "US Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
  8. ↑ "Cashbox Top 100". Cashbox Magazine Archives. December 23, 1972. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 2 February 2015.


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