Wouldn't I Be Someone

"Wouldn't I Be Someone" is a song by the Bee Gees. It was released on 22 June 1973 in the United Kingdom and in July 1973 in the United States.[1] The photo on the cover of the single was also used on Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2.

"Wouldn't I Be Someone"
Single by Bee Gees
B-side
  • "Elisa"
  • "King and Country" (Germany)
Released22 June 1973 (United Kingdom)
July 1973 (United States)
RecordedOctober 1972
The Record Plant, Los Angeles
Length5:31 (album)
3:30 (single)
LabelRSO
Songwriter(s)Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s)Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Saw a New Morning"
(1973)		 "Wouldn't I Be Someone"
(1973)		 "Mr. Natural"
(1974)
Audio sample
"Wouldn't I Be Someone"
  • file
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Background

"Wouldn't I Be Someone" was recorded around October 1972 in The Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles. The long chorus, extended by an instrumental section of the song is their new idea and was reminiscent to their 1969 song "Odessa (City on the Black Sea)", but the difference between the two is when electric guitar was added to this song.[2] According to Billboard, the lyrics regard the "dreams of a loser hoping to find himself through love."[3]

Reception

Although the single failed to chart in United States, it was a No. 1 hit in Hong Kong and in Costa Rica, and reached No. 17 in Italy. Originally released on Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2 with an extended version timed at 5:31, it was noted for its lush symphony orchestra arrangement and bluesy guitar solo by Alan Kendall. The single was shortened to a running time of 3:30 with the B-side of "Elisa". Both songs had been intended for an album called A Kick in the Head Is Worth Eight in the Pants. Producer Robert Stigwood refused to release the album, citing it as not commercial enough for sales. It was followed by the more R&B flavored Mr. Natural, produced by legendary Arif Mardin.

Despite the lack of chart success in the US, Billboard praised the song as having many melodic and lyrical hooks.[3]

"Elisa" was chosen as the B-side of this single elsewhere, "King and Country" was chosen only in Germany.[4] The album on which the song originally appeared A Kick in the Head Is Worth Eight in the Pants, was released as a bootleg in Malaysia on Polydor.

Two days before the Bee Gees' concert in London Palladium in the UK, the song released as a single on 22 June in that country, but their performance was postponed.[5]

Personnel

Chart positions
Chart (1973) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 52
Hong Kong[7] 1
Italy (FIMI)[7] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 115
US Billboard Easy Listening Charts[9] 42
US Record World[7] 100

References
  1. "The Bee Gees - Wouldn't I Be Someone / Elisa". 45cat. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  2. Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1972". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  3. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. June 16, 1973. p. 86. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
  4. Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1973". Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  5. Hughes, Andrew (2009). The Bee Gees - Tales of the Brothers Gibb. ISBN 9780857120045. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc) |format= requires |url= (help). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  8. "Bubbling Under the Hot 100". Billboard: 63. July 14, 1973. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  9. "US Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-11-09.
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