The Early Years
He was born Andrew Roy Gibb in Manchester, England, to Hugh and Barbara Gibb. His family immigrated to Australia within months of his birth, settling in Redcliffe, Queensland, near Brisbane.
Gibb began playing at tourist clubs around Spain's coastal Island of Ibiza, and later back in his homeland of Britain on the Isle of Man, as a young teenager. The idea of his joining the Bee Gees was often suggested, but the age gap between him and his elder brothers (more than 11 years younger than Barry, slightly more than eight years younger than twins Robin and Maurice) made this difficult to achieve.
After returning to Australia in 1975 to hone his craft as a singer and songwriter, Gibb began recording a series of his own compositions, one of which was released as a single on the ATA label, owned by veteran Australian performer, Col Joye. "Words and Music" would eventually reach Top Five on the Sydney music charts in 1976. This breakout would pave the way to an even greater milestone later that year — an invitation from Robert Stigwood (who, at the time, was also the Bee Gees' manager) to launch his international career signed to his label, RSO Records. Gibb soon moved to Miami Beach, Florida to begin working on songs with his brother Barry, and co-producers Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson.
Prior to leaving Australia, Gibb had married his girlfriend, Kim Reeder. They had one child, a daughter named Peta. Their marriage ended in 1978, his work and family commitments having come between them. Notwithstanding, Gibb's personal trials were soon overshadowed by fame and recognition.
Rise to the Top
In the United States, Gibb became the first male solo artist to chart three consecutive Number One singles on the Billboard Hot 100. In July of 1977, he had his first major hit, "I Just Want to Be Your Everything", a song written by his brother Barry, just as his first album Flowing Rivers broke into the US Top 20, on its way to selling over a million copies. The album's second single "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" broke in early 1978 amidst the commercial explosion caused by his brothers' contributions to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, replacing "Stayin' Alive" at the top of the US charts, and then surpassed by "Night Fever" when it reached the summit in mid-March.
Continuing the momentum of his first successes, Gibb began work with the Gibb-Galuten-Richardson production team on his second album Shadow Dancing. The title track, written by all four Gibb brothers, was released as a single in the US in April 1978, and in mid-June began a seven week run at Number One, achieving platinum status. Two further Top Ten singles, "An Everlasting Love" and "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away", a cover of the earlier version by his brothers, were extracted from the album, which became another million seller.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, the pressures and excesses of such rapid success began to consume Gibb, and eventually he would succumb to drug addiction and the reality of a career in decline. In 1979, Gibb performed, along with the Bee Gees, ABBA, and Olivia Newton-John (duet with "Rest Your Love On Me"), at the Music for UNICEF Concert at the United Nations General Assembly, broadcast worldwide.
He returned to the studio to begin recording sessions for his final full studio album, After Dark. With drugs impeding his previous ability to write and even fully sing the tracks on his own record, Gibb was only able to forge his performance with nearly intrusive support from brother Barry.[citation needed] In March of 1980 the last of Gibb's Top Ten singles charted just ahead of the album's release. "Desire", was recorded for the Bee Gees' 1979 album Spirits Having Flown, and featured their original track with Gibb's lead vocal dubbed in. A second single, "I Can't Help It", a duet with family friend Olivia Newton-John, which they had performed at the UN, reached the Top Twenty; they donated the royalties to UNICEF.
Later in the year, Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits was released as a finale to his contract with RSO Records, with two new songs: "Time Is Time" (number 15 in January 1981) and "Me (Without You)" (Gibb's last Top Forty chart entry) shipped as singles.
Career Stall Out
A well-publicised affair with actress Victoria Principal ensued, while Gibb signed to several projects outside of the recording studio, including acclaimed performances in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway, Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance in Los Angeles, and a short-term stint as co-host of the television music show Solid Gold.
However, as Gibb's drug use intensified, he was unable to commit to regular performances and tapings, and was eventually removed from each of these endeavours. His romance with Principal also ended a short time later, but not before recording and releasing a vanity duet of the Everly Brothers' classic "All I Have To Do Is Dream". This would be Gibb's last official single, and his last US chart entry, peaking at number 51.
His family convinced him to seek treatment for his drug addiction; after a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic in the mid-1980s, Gibb toured small venues with a stage show of his greatest hits and covers, and appeared in guest-starring roles on several television situation comedies. His performances showed him to have seemingly recovered from his addiction. But although his performances in his new lifestyle were well-received, they failed to return him to the height of his past successes. In 1987, with his debts far outweighing his income, Gibb was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Determined to revive his recording career, Gibb returned to work alongside brothers Barry and Maurice. They produced a series of demo recordings, which would eventually secure him a contract with the UK branch of Island Records. One of the demos, "Man On Fire", was released posthumously on the 1991 Polydor anthology, Andy Gibb, while another demo, "Arrow Through The Heart", though unreleased to the present day, would be featured on an episode of VH1's series Behind the Music.
Death
He travelled to England to fulfill the label's request for more songs, moving into brother Robin's estate in Thame, Oxfordshire. He turned to drinking heavily, and fell ill. On March 7, 1988, Andy was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford complaining of stomach pains.
Gibb died three days later of myocarditis — a sudden inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a viral infection. While his years of alcohol and cocaine abuse did not directly result in his death, they did aggravate the condition.
His body was brought back to Los Angeles, California, for interment in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery. Roughly a decade later, at their One Night Only concert, the Bee Gees performed "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" in memory of Andy.
Albums
US chart positions follow parenthetically, if applicable
Flowing Rivers, RSO, 1977 (US #19)
Shadow Dancing, RSO, 1978 (US #7)
After Dark, RSO, 1980 (US #21)
Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits, RSO, 1980 (US #49)
Andy Gibb, Polydor, 1991
Andy Gibb: Millennium, Polydor, 2001
Singles
US chart positions follow parenthetically, if applicable
"Words and Music / Westfield Mansions" (Australia), ATA, 1976
"I Just Want To Be Your Everything, RSO, 1977 (US #1, 4 weeks)
"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water", RSO, 1978 (US #1, 2 weeks)
"Shadow Dancing", RSO, 1978 (US #1, 7 weeks)
"An Everlasting Love", RSO, 1978 (US #5) (UK #10)
"(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away", RSO, 1978 (US #9)
"Desire", RSO, 1980 (US #4)
"I Can't Help It" (Duet with Olivia Newton-John, RSO, 1980 (US #12)
"Time Is Time", RSO, 1980 (US #15)
"Me (Without You)", RSO, 1981 (US #40)
"All I Have To Do Is Dream" (Duet with Victoria Principal), RSO, 1981 (US #51)
Dreamin' On
Andy Gibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She make it beat in time
In fact she's mine forever
And I'll never ever know the reason why
Funny how she writes letters to me
She's only human but she keeps goin' through me
We came to love in the neighborhood
And the love don't cease to grow
I'll be dreamin' on
Dreamin' on for you baby
Dreamin' on for you woman-child
Dreamin' on for you baby
She makes the skies grow dark
She makes the darkness bright
She make the wind grow warm in
the wake of another cold and stormy night
And anywhere she needs me I'll be runnin' to
'cause she fits me like a glove
And tho I'd really like to be with you
She gave me love when there was no love
And I would not let her go
So if you need me darlin'
I'll be dreamin' on
Dreamin' on for you baby
Dreamin' on for you woman-child
Dreamin' on for you baby
(break)
I'll be dreamin' on
Dreamin' on for you baby
Dreamin' on for you woman-child
Dreamin' on for you baby
Ah....
For you baby
Ah...(fade)
In the song Dreamin' On by Andy Gibb, the singer is expressing his love and devotion for his significant other. He acknowledges that she has control over his heart, and that he cannot explain why he is so drawn to her. She brings light to his darkness, and warmth to his cold. The love they share originated in their neighborhood, and it has only continued to grow. He promises to be there for her, no matter where or when she needs him. Despite his attraction to others, he cannot let her go because she gave him love when there was none to be found.
Overall, the lyrics emphasize the strength and importance of their love, even in the face of temptation or confusion. The repetition of the phrase "dreamin' on" suggests a sense of longing or yearning, as if the singer cannot help but think about his lover constantly. However, this dream-like state is not necessarily negative; it could represent a sense of hope and possibility for their future together.
Line by Line Meaning
She takes the heart of mine
She captures my heart and love
She make it beat in time
She helps my heart beat in rhythm and love
In fact she's mine forever
I have her love forever
And I'll never ever know the reason why
I don't fully understand why she loves me, but I am grateful for it
Funny how she writes letters to me
It's amusing how she expresses her love through writing letters to me
She's only human but she keeps goin' through me
Even though she is human, she manages to stay connected to me
We came to love in the neighborhood
We fell in love in our community
And the love don't cease to grow
Our love continues to grow stronger
And if you need me darlin'
I am always available to you
I'll be dreamin' on
I'll be thinking of you
Dreamin' on for you baby
I am longing and hoping for you
Dreamin' on for you woman-child
I am dreaming and yearning for the young lady you are
She makes the skies grow dark
Her absence clouds my joy
She makes the darkness bright
Her presence illuminates my life
She makes the wind grow warm in the wake of another cold and stormy night
She brings warmth and peace during my difficult and challenging moments
And anywhere she needs me I'll be runnin' to
I am always ready to be there for her
'cause she fits me like a glove
Our connection and love complement each other perfectly
And tho I'd really like to be with you
Even though I would love to be with you in person
She gave me love when there was no love
She showed me love when I least expected it
And I would not let her go
I won't lose her or let her go
Ah...
Sigh of longing and admiration
For you baby
My love and dream are for you
Ah...(fade)
Longing and admiration fades away
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, BARRY ALAN GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marie Grimes
Thank you for uploading this album!! 💙
I like to play music while I am working and listening to my favorite musicians like Andy and the Bee Gees makes my days better. ☺️ Their music is timeless!! ♾ It does also make me sad that Andy, Maurice and Robin are gone now 😢 but when I listen I am transported right back to my childhood when I played their songs while dancing around my room. Those were some good days! 😁💃🏾💙🎶
frankie steele
I only starting listening to Andy Gibbs recently, He’s one of the greatest, This tune is amazing
Veronica Muñoz
Grande Andy Gibb ,me encanta su música y su voz muy dulce.❤❤❤
Fernando Ramirez
For sure, this song is the perfect song to close his After Dark album.
Valérie MARC
He was my idol and will remain my everlasting love ! Very great talent as his brothers <3 <3 <3
Nativo do Brasil
Ouvir essas canções com uma mulher que a gente idealiza é a maior riqueza que um homem pode alcançar na vida...
ceci Gomez casillas
Me gusta mucho su música me pone romántica
edwin raul trujillano quispe
GRACIAS POR ESAS CANCIONES Andy Gibb :(
Eightiesgirl48
Listening 2019.... sweet & beautiful Andy!❤️
PB Tan
My favourite singer