Born in the Isle of Man to English parents, the family later moved to Manchester before settling in Brisbane, Australia. Gibb began his career as part of the family trio and when the group found their first success they returned to the United Kingdom where they achieved worldwide fame. In 2004, the Bee Gees received their CBEs from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace for their "contribution to music". With record sales estimated in excess of 200 million units, the Bee Gees became one of the most successful pop groups of all time.
After a career spanning six decades, Gibb last performed on stage in February 2012 supporting injured British servicemen and women at a charity concert at the London Palladium. On 20 May 2012, Gibb died after a lengthy battle with colorectal cancer.
Solo career
Traditionally, Robin's role in the group has been one of singer, for which he vied constantly with his elder brother Barry Gibb during the group's first period of British success in the late 1960s. This eventually resulted in Robin leaving the group to begin a solo career. Meanwhile, there were rumours of drug problems, and his parents threatened to have him made a ward of court (the UK age of consent at that time being 21, and Robin only 19).
Although initially successful, with a number 2 hit, Saved by the Bell, his album, "Robin's Reign", was less successful and he found that being a solo artist was less than satisfying. He returned to the group and mended the breach with his family. During the 1980s, he released three further solo albums ("How Old Are You", "Secret Agent", and "Walls Have Eyes") which were more successful in Continental Europe than in the UK or USA. However, his 1984 single "Boys Do Fall in Love" did reach the Billboard top 40
Robin's next solo album, Magnet, was released in Germany on January 27, 2003 (Label: SPV), and worldwide shortly afterwards. It features the old Bee Gees classic Wish You Were Here in a new acoustic version.
In August 2003, Robin announced that he would be releasing a new single of My Lover's Prayer, a song first recorded by the Bee Gees in 1997, with vocals by Robin, Wanya Morris, and Lance Bass. This was played on radio, but was never actually released. In October 2003 another version was recorded as a duet with Alistair Griffin, runner-up in the UK television program Fame Academy, on which Robin had appeared as a judge.
My Lover's Prayer, credited as "Alistair Griffin feat. Robin Gibb", was eventually released in the UK in January 2004 as a double A side single, together with Griffin's solo recording of Bring It On. It reached number 5 in the UK charts. The duet was also on Griffin's debut album Bring It On which charted at number 12.
In late 2004, Robin embarked on a solo tour of Germany, Russia and Asia, with Alistair Griffin as the opening act. On his return he released a CD and DVD of live recordings from the German leg of the tour, backed by the Frankfurt Neue Philharmonic Orchestra. A further solo tour of Latin America followed in 2005.
In June 2005 he joined X Factor runners up G4 at a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, singing the Bee Gees song First of May . A recording of this performance was released in December 2005 as part of a double A side single, credited as "G4 feat. Robin Gibb" together with G4's own cover of Johnny Mathis' When a Child is Born. This track was also included on the platinum selling album G4 & Friends which reached number 6 in the UK album charts.
In March 2006 he announced plans for more solo concerts in Shanghai and Portugal. On May 20th. 2006, Robin took part in the Prince's Trust 30th Birthday Concert at the Tower of London along with his brother Barry. They sang 3 songs; Jive Talkin', To Love Somebody and You Should be Dancing.
Robot
Robin Gibb Lyrics
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Gonna caress you , you can invest your time with me , don't stay away
If you're in danger , I will engage the enemy , night and day
Never be your robot
If you wanna use me , if you wanna lose me this time
Quicker than lightening , there will be a frightening
Ain't never no way
Gonna be a robot for you , ain't no way
Never be a robot for you , slip away
Doesn't like to die away
Something that you can't control
Going like a hurricane
Something you can see but you never can hold
Never be a robot for you , ain't no way
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
I can be fire , I will ignite you all you need , that's guaranteed
You could be a liar , treat me like a stranger in your life
Just count on me
If you wanna use me , if you wanna lose me this time
Quicker than lightening , there will be a frightening
Ain't never no
Gonna be a robot for you , ain't no way
Never be a robot for you , slip away
Doesn't like to die away
Something that you can't control
Going like a hurricane
Something you can see but you never can hold
Never be a robot for you , ain't no way
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
Ain't gonna be , never gonna be a robot
Never be a robot
Gonna be a robot for you , ain't no way
Never be a robot for you , slip away
Doesn't like to die away
Something that you can't control
Going like a hurricane
Something you can see but you never can hold
Never be a robot for you , whoa
Never be a robot for you , whoa
Doesn't like to die away
Something that you can't control
Going like a hurricane
Something you can see but you never can hold (fade)
The song "Robot" by Robin Gibb is an expression of the artist's desire to not be controlled like a robot in a relationship. The repetition of the word "robot" throughout the chorus creates a sense of being trapped in a cycle of routine and predictability, which the singer resists. He promises to be there for his partner, to ignite and guarantee their needs and to protect them from danger night and day. However, he asserts his independence, refusing to be used or taken for granted, warning against frighteningly fast and lightning-quick departures if he feels trapped as a robot in the relationship.
The song seems to express a yearning for a deep connection and real passion in a relationship, rather than a mechanical or robotic one. The phrase "something you can see but you never can hold" suggests a longing for a more elusive and intangible connection with his partner. The song is ultimately a powerful assertion of the artist's independence and his refusal to be controlled or used.
Line by Line Meaning
Robot , robot , rorororororobot , robot , rorororo ain't never no ...
The repetition of 'robot' and 'rorororororobot' create a robotic, mechanical feel to the song, fitting with the theme of the lyrics. The phrase 'ain't never no' adds to this robotic feel, but also implies that the singer will not conform to being a robot or being controlled.
Gonna caress you , you can invest your time with me , don't stay away
The singer is offering their love and affection to someone, inviting them to spend time together and assuring them that they won't be alone.
If you're in danger , I will engage the enemy , night and day
The singer promises to protect and defend the person they care for, even if it means fighting against danger and facing enemies.
Never be your robot
The singer will not allow themselves to be controlled or manipulated like a robot.
If you wanna use me , if you wanna lose me this time
The singer is willing to be used by the person they love, but if they are mistreated or taken for granted, they will not allow themselves to be hurt again.
Quicker than lightening , there will be a frightening
If the singer is hurt or mistreated, they will quickly end the relationship and it will be a scary experience for the other person.
Gonna be a robot for you , ain't no way
Reiterating the earlier line, the singer will not allow themselves to be controlled or manipulated like a robot.
Doesn't like to die away
The singer values their own autonomy and sense of self, and does not want to lose that by becoming someone's robot.
Something that you can't control
Referring back to the earlier line, the singer is an individual who cannot be controlled or manipulated like a robot.
Going like a hurricane
The singer's love and passion is intense, like a hurricane that cannot be tamed or slowed down.
Something you can see but you never can hold
The singer's love and passion is visible and tangible, but it cannot be contained or controlled.
I can be fire , I will ignite you all you need , that's guaranteed
The singer is promising to bring passion and energy to the other person's life, making them feel alive and fulfilled.
You could be a liar , treat me like a stranger in your life
The other person is warned that if they lie or treat the singer poorly, they will feel like a stranger in their own life.
Just count on me
The singer wants the other person to know that they can always count on them for love and support.
Never be a robot for you , whoa
Reiterating the earlier line, the singer will not allow themselves to be controlled or manipulated like a robot.
Doesn't like to die away
The singer values their own autonomy and sense of self, and does not want to lose that by becoming someone's robot.
Contributed by Aaliyah T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.