Barry said in 1996 on the VH1 Storytellers television show that it was written for their manager, Robert Stigwood. The B-side for "Words" was "Sinking Ships", one of the very rare songs by the Bee Gees to feature all three brothers with lead vocals: Barry and Robin Gibb in the verses and Maurice Gibb on the song's chorus. The group performed this song on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968, with Barry Gibb on vocals, Maurice Gibb on bass, Robin Gibb on piano, Vince on guitar and Colin on drums. On that performance Vince is playing Gibson ES-335, and Maurice is playing Rickenbacker 4001. Some backing vocals near the end are heard only on the mono mix used on the single, some compilations, and the Studio Albums 1967-1968 box set.
Mixes for "Words" suffered many different problems. Since it was originally used only as a single, no stereo mix was made until Atlantic wanted one for the Best of Bee Gees album in 1969, where it made its first appearance on LP. For this someone made an extremely bad stereo mix with the piano, bass and drums mixed way down and the vocals pushed forward. Polydor in the UK passed it up and used the mono mix on their version of the album. Once again Bill Inglot saved the day in 1990 by preparing a good stereo mix for the first time and while doing so, he noticed that two short sections of backing vocal near the end of the song are on the mono mix but not on the four-track master, as if Barry added them while the mono mix was made. The Studio Albums 1967-1968 passed up Bill's mix and has only the original mono mix with all the backing vocal.
Words
The Bee Gees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A smile can bring you near to me
Don't ever let me find you gone
'Cause that would bring a tear to me
This world has lost it's glory
Let's start a brand new story
Now my love, right now
And I can show you how, my love
Talk in everlasting words
And dedicate them all to me
And I will give you all my life
I'm here if you should call to me
You think that I don't even mean
A single word I say
It's only words, and words are all I have
To take your heart away
You think that I don't even mean
A single word I say
It's only words, and words are all I have
To take your heart away
It's only words, and words are all I have
To take your heart away
It's only words, and words are all I have
To take your heart away
The Bee Gees' "Words" is a song about the power of communication, particularly the potency of spoken and written expressions. The lyrics suggest that a simple smile can bring people together, and that words -- or the lack thereof -- can have a profound impact on one's emotions. The song's overarching message is that in a world that has lost its luster, words remain a vital means of connecting with one another.
The first stanza highlights the significance of a smile in building relationships. The singer implores their partner to maintain a smile, arguing that it draws them closer. They also express a fear of being separated, as even the thought of it brings tears. In the second stanza, the song presents a solution to the world's problems through the power of words. The singer encourages their partner to "talk in everlasting words" and dedicate them to them, promising to reciprocate by giving them their life.
The chorus stresses the importance of words in expressing one's feelings. The lyrics appear to acknowledge the common belief that words can be empty and lack meaning. However, the song suggests that, to the singer, words are everything they have to offer to entice their loved one. It is a meditation on the idea that words are both genuinely powerful and intrinsically limited in their ability to convey complex emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile an everlasting smile
A smile that lasts forever
A smile can bring you near to me
Your smile can bring you closer to me
Don't ever let me find you gone
Please don't leave me alone
'Cause that would bring a tear to me
It would make me sad to see you go
This world has lost it's glory
The world is not as bright and beautiful as it used to be
Let's start a brand new story
Let's create a new beginning together
Now my love, right now
This moment is the perfect time, my love
There'll be no other time
We won't have this opportunity again
And I can show you how, my love
I can demonstrate my love for you in many ways
Talk in everlasting words
Speak to me with words that will last forever
And dedicate them all to me
And give all your words to me
And I will give you all my life
And I will give you everything I have
I'm here if you should call to me
I'll be there if you need me
You think that I don't even mean
You believe that I'm not sincere
A single word I say
And that I don't mean even one word I say
It's only words, and words are all I have
The only thing I can give you is words
To take your heart away
To capture your heart and affection
It's only words, and words are all I have
I don't have anything else to give you
To take your heart away
To make you fall in love with me
It's only words, and words are all I have
I hope my words are enough for you
To take your heart away
To make you love me in return
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BARRY GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@enricksambat2240
my mother was passed away today and im listening to this song beacause it is her favorite song and im keep reminding her through this piece of art.
@rosejans1791
It never gets better. Miss my Mom so bad
@DoubleAceMonroe
Awwwwwww.....💙💙💙
@RHR-221b
A pish-full of E's bullshit. What a coincidence ... 🤔
Stay free, unfortunates who have read so far ...
🎲 🌠 🍻 😎
@kristypollock7590
This is exactly how I found tho song!! My mom died right before Christmas and this song was last on playlist
@tieukhavu8832
@@kristypollock7590 🤗😘😭 so sorry
@henrybarnack6181
This song by Barry in 1967, I was 12 yrs old. Beautiful lyrics. Now today at 65 yrs old, I'm desperately reaching out to for the woman I love. It's only words that all I have to give my heart away. People can't read minds. I never had expressed myself at the right time. 😢I need her to live . It's been 3.5 yrs since I've spoken with her. We were healthcare professionals since 1986. I'm trying to reach out to her for Thanksgiving.
@Unkl_Bob
I hope you made a connection.
@jackfrost2146
Did You Reach out?
@foxtrot12546
What happened?