The Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 (1967)

Composed of three brothers, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, this group found success in the late ‘60s with pop and R&B hits. They found monumental stardom in the ‘70s, arguably standing as the kings of disco. In their early years, their father, Hugh Gibb, sent a demo to The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, for consideration in 1966. Epstein passed the demo to Robert Stigwood, a new employee at EMI Studios, and he signed them to a five year deal. Despite the majority of their hits not fitting in with what’s usually reviewed on this site, the group did have some early songs that reflected the ‘60s music scene.

When Stigwood proclaimed that this group was the “The Most Significant New Talent Of 1967,” immediate attention was drawn to the band. Many people speculated that “Bee Gees (B.G.’s) stood for “Beatles Group” and was a side-project for The Beatles. Stigwood took advantage and sent this song to radio DJs on a plain white record, telling them only that the song was by “a group that started with the letter ‘B’.” Naturally, DJs thought it was the latest work from The Beatles, and it received heavy air play.



The Bee Gees - New York Mining Disaster 1941 (1967)

Loading the ABLYAM player...(Might not work on mobile devices)

Lyrics:

In the event of something happening to me
There is something I would like you all to see
It's just a photograph of someone that I knew

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud
You'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones

I keep straining my ears to hear a sound
Maybe someone is digging underground
Or have they given up and all gone home to bed?
Thinking those who once existed must be dead

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud
You'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jones

In the event of something happening to me
There is something I would like you all to see
It's just a photograph of someone that I knew

Have you seen my wife, Mr. Jones?
Do you know what it's like on the outside?
Don't go talking too loud
You'll cause a landslide, Mr. Jo-