Holiday (Bee Gees song)
"Holiday" is a song released by the Bee Gees in the United States in September 1967. It appeared on the album Bee Gees' 1st.[1] The song was not released as a single in their native United Kingdom because Polydor UK released the single "World" from their next album Horizontal.
"Holiday" | ||||
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The US single release of the song | ||||
Single by Bee Gees | ||||
from the album Bee Gees' 1st | ||||
B-side | "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You" (US and Australia) "Red Chair, Fade Away" (Germany, France and Scandinavia) | |||
Released | September 1967 (United States) October 1967 (Australia) | |||
Recorded | 21 April 1967 IBC Studios, London | |||
Genre | Baroque pop | |||
Length | 2:52 | |||
Label | Polydor, Philips (United Kingdom, Canada) Atco (United States, Mexico) Spin (Australia, New Zealand) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb | |||
Producer(s) | Robert Stigwood, Ossie Byrne | |||
Bee Gees US singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"Holiday"
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Composition and recording
The song is composed primarily in a minor key with a strong orchestral presence. Brothers Barry and Robin Gibb, who also wrote the song, share lead vocals. The song was recorded during the same session as "To Love Somebody" around April 1967.[2]
All three Gibb brothers sung the "Dee dees" in the chorus sections of the song.
Release
The song's flipside was "Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You" in the US, Canada and Australia but "Red Chair, Fade Away" was used in other territories.[3] The song's music video, consisted of footage of the band enjoying traveling a city bus in Paris.[4] Their footage visiting Paris is also used as the music video for "Words".[5] Another promotional film, filmed in black and white, featured the group performing the song.[6]
The song remained a concert favourite for over 30 years, and Maurice Gibb often provided the audience with comedic antics by attempting many failed attempts to join Barry and Robin while singing this song. Evidence of this can be seen in the 1989 "One For All" concert video where Maurice takes a camera from a film cameraman standing nearby and films Barry and Robin as they sing the song.
Personnel
- Barry Gibb — lead and backing vocals
- Robin Gibb — lead and backing vocals, organ
- Maurice Gibb — bass guitar, mellotron
- Colin Petersen — drums
- Bill Shepherd — orchestral arrangement
Chart performance
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Cover versions
- In 1968[11] French-American singer Claudine Longet covered the song on the album Love Is Blue, A&M Records – SP-4142, Side A Track 4.
- In 1968[12] French singer Michel Didier covered the song in French under the title C'est une folle idée (lyrics: Michel Didier).[13]
- In 1979, Moulin Rouge recorded a late 1970s disco style cover version [14]
- In 2007, HRSTA recorded a cover on its third album Ghosts Will Come and Kiss Our Eyes
Legacy
The song was prominently featured in the South Korean film Nowhere to Hide(Korean: 인정사정 볼 것 없다; RR: Injeong sajeong bol geot eobtda). It later featured in the South Korean television series Reply 1997, and South Korean girl group Red Velvet's Level Up Project, as a contrast to the song of the same name by SM Entertainment labelmate, Girl's Generation.
One of the robots sang the song in the "Mitchell" episode of the American television comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000.
References
- "Show 49 - The British are Coming! The British are Coming!: With an emphasis on Donovan, the Bee Gees and the Who. [Part 6] : UNT Digital Library".
- Joseph Brennan. "Gibb Songs: 1967".
- Discogs.com. "Bee Gees - Holiday releases".
- "Bee Gees Holiday 1967". YouTube. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "The Bee Gees - Words ( Rare Video Filmed In Paris 1968 High Quality )". YouTube. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "Bee Gees - Holiday (1967) [High Quality Stereo Sound, Subtitled]". YouTube. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "Bee Gees - Holiday". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "Bee Gees - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- "Cashbox Top 100". Cashbox Magazine Archives. 11 November 1967. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- Discogs.com. "Claudine Longet - Love Is Blue".
- Mike Hennessy. From the Music Capitals of the World. Billboard. Mai 4, 1968, pp. 52-53.
- 7", 45 rpm single, B-side: Je voudrais dormir auprès de toi, written by Michel Didier. Philips/Fontana, série Parade, 260.142 MF.
- "Moulin Rouge (2)". Discogs.