I was half way through writing today’s blog post when a friend asked a favor. Catriona (pronounced Cat-reena) who has never asked me for anything said…’Do you take blog-requests? Something by the Bee Gees today pretty-please? x’… What could I do?
It wasn’t a hard decision to make. I’ve mentioned that I grew up in a house full of music, so it won’t surprise you to learn that the Bee Gees featured prominently… especially in the 70′s! The very first record I bought for myself (in 1978) was inspired by two of my greatest delights as a 5 year old…The Bee Gees and Sesame Street. The album was called Sesame Street Fever and featured Robin Gibb as a guest vocalist. Oh how I treasured that album, and drove my mother crazy listening to it.
As the years passed, and my tastes evolved I maintained an enduring affection for the Bee Gees. Songs like ‘Jive Talkin”, ‘To Love Somebody’, ‘Emotion’, and ‘Stayin’ Alive’ give me goosebumps, help me bust a move, or lump up my throat with sweet nostalgia. ‘You Should be Dancing’ is Emlyns favorite thanks to its place in her favorite movie ‘Despicable Me’….and so it goes on. From my mother to me, from me to my children. The power of the Bee Gees is at least in part due to the timeless quality of the lyrics and music that Robin Gibb wrote and delivered – giftlike – to the world.
In 1970, before I was even born, Robin and Barry Gibb wrote ‘How can you Mend a Broken Heart’. I have always loved this song, but never more so than when my own heart has felt broken. When I have identified with the lyrics ‘I was never told about the sorrow…’ because truly, back when I bought that Sesame Street album I had no concept of sorrow. I didn’t know that growing pains were emotional as well as physical. That when I had my babies I would give up a slice of my heart and set it free within the world. That I would hold the hand of my own mother as she took her last breath and left me to face an uncertain future without her guidance. That often even joy is tinged with sorrow when someone you love isn’t there to experience it with you.
…..with thoughts and prayers for the Gibb Family and fans of the Bee Gees everywhere.
And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
