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)
Waiting For You
Andy Gibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always used to fight with myself
When out of the blue came you
And all of my senses flew out of an open door
I'm needing you more and more
And I'll be waiting for you ( believe me , hold me)
And I'll wait all my life
Want it so bad , I can't let it die
And I'll be waiting for you (to free me, hold me)
And I'll wait all my life
You're just part of a feeling
Love you so much, I can't let you by
Look at what's left of me now
I was so lost
I just couldn't pull out
I couldn't pull out
want to love but I want you to stay
So scared that I could end up alone
And I'm not the kind to show
But somehow you've got to know
I'm falling in love with you
And still it's so much to do
And I'll be waiting for you (believe me , hold me)
And I'll wait all my life
It's just a part of a feeling
Want it so bad, I can't let it die
Look at what's left of me now
I got so lost
I just couldn't pull out
And I'll be waiting for you ( believe me , hold me)
And I'll wait all my life
It's just part of a feeling
Want it so bad, I can't let it die
That's why I'm waiting for you (to free me , hold me)
And I'll wait all my life
You're just part of a feeling
Love you so much , I can't let you by
And I'll be waiting for you ( fade out)
The lyrics to Andy Gibb's song "Waiting For You" express the longing and desperation of a person who has found love unexpectedly, but is afraid of losing it. The opening lines set the tone of the song, as the singer admits that he used to "dream alone" and "fight with himself." However, his life changes dramatically when he meets someone special ("you") who makes him feel alive in ways he never thought possible. The line "all of my senses flew out of an open door" suggests that the singer is completely overwhelmed with emotion and desire.
Despite this newfound love, the singer is still afraid of the possibility of losing it. He admits to being "scared that [he] could end up alone" and that he is "not the kind to show" his vulnerability. Nonetheless, he cannot deny the fact that he is "falling in love" and that it is "so much to do." The chorus repeats the refrain "And I'll be waiting for you" to emphasize the singer's commitment to this relationship, no matter what the future may hold.
Overall, "Waiting For You" is a heartfelt ode to love and the uncertainty that comes with it. The lyrics are honest and vulnerable, and the melody captures the rawness of the emotions expressed. It is a song that many people can relate to, as it speaks to the universal experience of falling in love and the fears that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yesterday I was dreaming alone
I used to be lonely and only had dreams to rely on
Always used to fight with myself
I had internal conflicts and always argued with myself
When out of the blue came you
Suddenly, you came into my life unexpectedly
And all of my senses flew out of an open door
You overwhelmed my senses and took me by surprise
I'm needing you more and more
I'm becoming more and more reliant on you
And I'll be waiting for you ( believe me , hold me)
I'll be patiently waiting for you to come to me, to believe in me and hold me close
And I'll wait all my life
I'll wait as long as it takes, my whole life if necessary
It's just part of a feeling
My emotions are driving me to wait for you
Want it so bad , I can't let it die
I desire to be with you so strongly that I can't just let those feelings fade away
You're just part of a feeling
You're an essential part of my affection and love towards you
Love you so much, I can't let you by
I care for you deeply, and I can't let you go away from me
Look at what's left of me now
I'm a different and better person because of you
I was so lost
I was hopelessly alone before I met you
I just couldn't pull out
But now, I'm happy and can't imagine life without you
want to love but I want you to stay
I want to express my love for you, but at the same time, I'm scared that you'll leave
So scared that I could end up alone
I'm afraid of losing you because I would feel lonely without you
And I'm not the kind to show
I'm not someone who usually expresses their emotions outwardly
But somehow you've got to know
But for you, I'm willing to open up and let you see my vulnerable side
I'm falling in love with you
I'm developing strong romantic feelings for you
And still it's so much to do
I know there's more work and progress needed to deepen our relationship
That's why I'm waiting for you (to free me , hold me)
That's why I'm waiting for you to help release me from my fears with your support and love
And I'll be waiting for you ( fade out)
I'll always be here, waiting for you to come to me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDY GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind