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)
Man on Fire
Andy Gibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby , oh
Gotta be a place to go in the midnight hour
Heart of a women and just a little bit of pulling power
The feelings got me
I don't know what it means
I know it must be wrong
But when you love somebody you dream
And I dream
I save the love down deep inside me
for the moment when you come
And you're there , and you're gone
And I'm alive for you
And my love keeps hanging on
There is no life
No reason to go on believing in the stronger love
There is no unifying , if I don't hear you crying
I'm yours , you're mine , no power in the world
Together we are strong in love
And when your storm is over, I'll show how warm my love can be
And me , I'm a man on fire
I'm a man on fire
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby , oh
Ready when the lightning strikes and he deed is done
I'm not a beginner
But I'm a sinner when the heat is on
Nothing gonna stop me , got me all that you need
Woman when you need somebody
A woman with a face and a body , you dream
And I dream
I save the love down deep inside me
For the moment when you come
And you're there and you're gone
And I'm alive for you
And my love keeps hanging on
There is no life
No reason to go on believing in the stronger love
There is no unifying
If I don't hear you crying
I'm yours, you're mine , no power in the world
Together we are strong enough
And when your storm is over
I'll show how warm my love can be
And me , I'm a man on fire
I'm a man on fire
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame, oh baby
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(it's a burning thing)
In the flame of your love
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(It's a burning thing)
In the flame of your love
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(it's a burning thing)
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(it's a burning thing)
The song "Man on Fire" by Andy Gibb talks about a burning passion and desire for a woman that can only be quenched by her love. The repetitive lines "I'm a man on fire, it's a burning thing" and "It'll burn on forever if you feed me, baby" establish the insatiable nature of this love. The singer expresses his readiness for any challenges that come with this love, whether it be lightning strikes or sinning when the heat is on. He believes in the power of their love and the strength that they have together. The chorus repeats itself twice, emphasizing the depth and intensity of this love.
The verses, on the other hand, delve into the singer's dreams and longing. He admits that he doesn't know what his feelings mean, but he keeps them deep inside for the moment when she comes into his life. He imagines her face and body, dreaming of when she's there and then disappears, but he's alive for her. Even though there is no reason to go on believing in a stronger love, it's evident that he thinks he has found that in her.
Overall, the song "Man on Fire" is a passionate confession of love that depicts the burning and unrelenting nature of desire. It's a song about giving everything for love, ready to overcome any obstacles that come your way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a man on fire
I am consumed with passion and desire
It's a burning thing
My feelings are intense and all-consuming
It'll burn on forever
This love will never die
If you feed me baby
If you reciprocate my love
An eternal flame
This fire will never go out
Gotta be a place to go in the midnight hour
I need someone to be with me in the depths of the night
Heart of a women and just a little bit of pulling power
I need a woman who can inspire me and help me overcome my struggles
The feelings got me
My emotions are overwhelming me
I don't know what it means
I am confused and unsure of my emotions
I know it must be wrong
I am aware that this feeling is dangerous or forbidden
But when you love somebody you dream
When you are in love, your dreams are filled with thoughts of that person
I save the love down deep inside me
I am saving my love for the right person
for the moment when you come
For the moment when I find that special someone
And you're there , and you're gone
When I finally find that person, they are often only there for a short time
And I'm alive for you
When I am with the one I love, I feel truly alive
And my love keeps hanging on
My love for that person never fades away
There is no life
Without love, life has no meaning
No reason to go on believing in the stronger love
Without true love, there is no hope for a lasting relationship
There is no unifying , if I don't hear you crying
Without emotional connection, there can be no unity in a relationship
I'm yours , you're mine , no power in the world
When we are together, nothing can keep us apart
Together we are strong in love
Our love for each other makes us stronger together
And when your storm is over, I'll show how warm my love can be
When the difficult times pass, I will show you how much I truly care
Ready when the lightning strikes and he deed is done
I am ready for anything when it comes to love
I'm not a beginner
I have experience and knowledge when it comes to relationships
But I'm a sinner when the heat is on
I may make mistakes when my emotions are strong
Nothing gonna stop me , got me all that you need
I will do anything for the one I love
Woman when you need somebody
I am here for you when you need me
A woman with a face and a body , you dream
I dream of finding a woman who is beautiful both inside and out
Don't you know that I'm burning up
My love for you is so strong that it consumes me
(It's a burning thing)
This feeling is intense and unquenchable
In the flame of your love
Your love for me is what fuels this passion and intensity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ANDY GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ginbn7019
I'm a man on fire
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby, oh
Gotta be a place to go in the midnight hour
Heart of a woman and just a little bit of pulling power
The feelings got me
I don't know what it means
I know it must be wrong
But when you love somebody you dream
And I dream
I save the love down deep inside me
For the moment when you come
And you're there, and you're gone
And I'm alive for you
And my love keeps hanging on
There is no life
No reason to go on believing in the stronger love
There is no unifying, if I don't hear you crying
I'm yours, you're mine, no power in the world
Together we are strong in love
And when your storm is over, I'll show how warm my love can be
And me, I'm a man on fire
I'm a man on fire
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby, oh
Ready when the lightning strikes and the deed is done
I'm not a beginner
But I'm a sinner when the heat is on
And nothing gonna stop me, got me all that you need
Woman, when you need somebody
A woman with a face and a body, you dream
And I dream
I save the love down deep inside me
For the moment when you come
And you're there and you're gone
And I'm alive for you
And my love keeps hanging on
There is no life
No reason to go on believing in the stronger love
There is no unifying
If I don't hear you crying
I'm yours, you're mine, no power in the world
Together we are strong enough
And when your storm is over
I'll show how warm my love can be
And me, I'm a man on fire
I'm a man on fire
It's a burning thing
It'll burn on forever
If you feed me baby
I'm a man on fire
An eternal flame (an eternal flame)
Forever
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(It's a burning thing)
In the flame of your love
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(It's a burning thing)
In the flame of your love
Don't you know that I'm burning up
(It's a burning thing)
In the flame of your love
@user-fu2sl9nw9p
No mistakes, perfect. The perfect peak.Affection locks me in my heart.
@user-fu2sl9nw9p
His scratchy, strong voice is a real added value.
@helainenatko
Rest In Peace Andy. Gone too soon 😢
@shellyk200
He was a beautiful singer and so handsome,i just wish Andy could have seen what all his many fans saw in him.He was so talented,but just did not have the selfasteam to believe he had what it took to be worthy of his fame,but he had it and then some.R.I.P.sweet Andy♥️😥
@5455mickey
This is a beautiful song by Andy. Love his voice. I wish he could have found true happiness before his death. He was a beautiful person inside and out!
@janeporter818
Fact💔🌷
@bbodinefan11
Andy was such a troubled soul. Felt like he was never good enough. Wanted to live up to his brothers fame. An impossible task.
@reginareams1478
His harmonies with Barry and Mo were so soulful...These demo tapes need to be released on more than just the Mythology album...
@cababyboomerq6012
Wow, this is a GREAT song. Never heard it before. If his album was gonna be as good as this song it would have been a real “come back”. He “second fame.” But you have to survive “first fame” first…. I am not sure he even needed to be a Bee Gee if he could pull it together with his brothers and put out records as good as this one. But, we will never know.
@lisascott7180
Great songs and lyrics. Rest in peace sweet angel. 💗💗💗🌹🌹🌹