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The Bee Gees are universally celebrated for their immense contributions to popular music, particularly during their iconic dominance of the 1970s. Their soaring harmonies, unmistakable falsettos, and emotionally rich melodies helped define the sound of an era. Yet beyond their own chart-topping recordings lies a lesser-known but equally remarkable legacy: many of the biggest hits of the 1970s and 1980s were written by the Bee Gees and brought to life by other artists.
Long before songwriting collaborations became a standard industry practice, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb were quietly shaping the careers of fellow performers, crafting songs that transcended voices and styles. These compositions not only showcased their extraordinary melodic instincts but also revealed their rare ability to write music that fit other artists as naturally as it did themselves.
One of the earliest examples of this generosity emerged during the height of the disco era. In 1977, the Bee Gees wrote a dance-driven track that would soon become a fixture in nightclubs around the world. Recorded by American singer Teri DeSario, the song became her debut single and first major hit. It entered the charts on July 22, 1978—the same week Andy Gibb’s “Shadow Dancing” claimed the number-one position. Co-written by Barry Gibb and co-produced by longtime collaborator Albhy Galuten, the track peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing DeSario as a new voice in disco while further extending the Bee Gees’ influence beyond their own recordings.
Perhaps one of the most surprising Bee Gees songwriting stories involves a song so deeply embedded in pop culture that many assume it was written by the artist who performed it. In 1977, producer Robert Stigwood approached Barry Gibb with a request: he was developing a new film, Grease, and needed a title song that explicitly included the word “Grease” in the lyrics. Barry delivered exactly that.
Following the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1978, Barry Gibb contributed backing vocals to the recording and invited his co-star Peter Frampton to play guitar. Some of the musicians involved were simultaneously working on Andy Gibb’s album. Frankie Valli was ultimately selected to sing the track, largely due to his vocal range, which closely mirrored Barry’s falsetto, and his enduring popularity dating back to the late 1950s. Released as a single in May 1978, the song sold more than seven million copies worldwide, becoming one of the defining hits of the decade.
Nearly two decades later, the Bee Gees once again demonstrated their timeless songwriting prowess with “Immortality,” written in 1996 for the stage adaptation of Saturday Night Fever. Céline Dion recorded the song in June 1997, with the Bee Gees adding their signature harmonies later that summer. They were also present during the filming of the accompanying music video, reinforcing the collaborative spirit behind the project.
Released internationally as a single in June 1998, “Immortality” became a Top 10 hit across Europe and reached the Top 40 in Canada and Australia. The song had its live debut during the Bee Gees’ One Night Only concert in November 1997, a performance celebrating their 30-year career. Over time, it became one of the most critically acclaimed songs in Céline Dion’s catalog. In 2016, its legacy was further cemented when Dion performed it during a Grammy Awards tribute honoring the Bee Gees.
The early 1980s marked a turning point for the group. After the overwhelming success of Saturday Night Fever, the Bee Gees faced a backlash in the United States, including the “Bee Gees Free Weekends” movement that discouraged radio stations from playing their music. During this period of reassessment, Barry, Robin, and Maurice wrote a powerful ballad that would later become the title track of a 1980 album recorded with Barbra Streisand.
The song reached number three on the U.S. Billboard chart and earned a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. It became one of the most important recordings of Streisand’s career and marked a defining moment in the Bee Gees’ evolution from performers to elite, in-demand songwriters for other artists throughout the 1980s.
Another crucial chapter in their songwriting story unfolded during the creation of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. While preparing material for what was intended to be their next studio album, the Bee Gees wrote a collection of songs that would soon become global anthems, including “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “More Than a Woman.” Rather than reserving all of them for themselves, the group allowed several to be recorded by other performers.
Yvonne Elliman, who had already recorded the Bee Gees-penned ballad “Love Me,” was initially considered to sing “How Deep Is Your Love.” However, after discussions with Robert Stigwood and the Gibb brothers, she was instead given “If I Can’t Have You.” The decision proved inspired, as the song became a major international hit and one of the standout tracks of the soundtrack.
Among the most personal contributions the Bee Gees ever made was the song that launched Andy Gibb’s solo career. Written by Barry Gibb as a demo initially intended for the Bee Gees themselves, the song was ultimately gifted to his younger brother. Guitarist Hugh Burns of The Shadows provided the distinctive guitar work that helped shape its sound.
Andy later recalled the songwriting process with admiration, describing Barry’s astonishing speed and instinct. After a brief discussion, Barry locked himself in a bedroom and emerged minutes later with a fully formed chorus. Within 20 minutes, a number-one hit had been written. Upon release, the song instantly topped the charts, even replacing the Bee Gees at number one, where it remained for at least four weeks in 1977.
Following the success of Guilty and their collaboration with Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees entered a period of exceptional creative momentum. One of the defining songs of this era was “Heartbreaker,” written for Dionne Warwick. The track became one of the biggest hits of her career, reaching number two worldwide and reaffirming the Bee Gees’ ability to adapt their songwriting to different voices without losing their signature style.
“Heartbreaker” remains one of the most successful and enduring songs the Bee Gees ever wrote for another artist—a perfect example of their unmatched melodic craftsmanship and emotional intuition.
Ultimately, the Bee Gees’ legacy as songwriters extends far beyond their own recordings. Their ability to step outside themselves, to write songs that elevated other artists while still bearing their unmistakable musical fingerprint, stands as one of their greatest achievements. In doing so, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb not only shaped an era—they shaped countless careers, leaving a songwriting legacy that continues to resonate across generations.