robingibb

In January 1975 the Bee Gees were working on a new album. For a change they went to Miami. Where they rented a house at 461 Ocean Boulevard. And began recording at Criteria Studios. Arif Mardin (who was producer on “Mr. Natural”) returned to work with the brothers. At a time when Robin, Maurice and Barry felt the record company had lost faith in them. Arif kept the faith. He helped to gently move them in a new direction. To a more R+B sound.

The brothers began to have fun and be creative. On the first day of the “Main Course” session Robin and Barry wrote “Was It All In Vain”(outtake). During the two months that they worked on their new “Main Course” album (which would be released June 1975). Robin and Barry wrote “Your Love Will Save The World” (outtake-would later be covered by Percy Sledge), “Come On Over”, “Wind Of Change” (B side), “Country Lanes” (B side) and “Edge Of The Universe” (B side). Robin, Maurice and Barry and Blue Weaver wrote “Songbird”. Robin, Maurice and Barry wrote “All This Making Love”, “Baby As You Turn Away”, “Nights On Broadway” (the second single from the album which reached #7 on the US charts. This was the first song Barry used falsetto on), “Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)” (the third single-reached #12 on US charts) and “Jive Talkin”.

“Jive Talkin” was inspired when the boys would drive from Criteria Studios to the house they rented on Ocean Boulevard. The drive took them across a bridge. Where the sound the car made as it crossed inspired the groove that made the song. The original lyrics were based on the rock and roll jive (the dance). When Arif told the brothers that jive talking was an expression for bullshitting somebody. The lyrics were changed from “Jive talkin’ you dance with your eyes” to “Jive talkin’ you’re telling me lies”. And the first line of the chorus became “Jive talkin’ so misunderstood”.

“Jive Talkin” became the first single off the “Main Course” album. And would be released in May. On June 18 the song hit #1 in the United States. It entered the charts in the UK and reached #5.

When the Bee Gees began their tour of the US on Mary 30 it would be the first time in eight years they would perform without a orchestra. Just the band. Dennis Bryon on drums. Geoff Westley and Blue Weaver on keyboards. Alan Kendall on lead guitar. Barry on rhythm guitar and Maurice on bass.

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