How Can You Mend A Broken Heart? by Bee Gees

Album: Trafalgar (1971)

Charted: 1

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Songfacts®:

Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees wrote this in the style of Andy Williams, who was a popular recording artist and television presenter at the time. It became the first #1 US hit for the group, topping the chart for four weeks. Later in 1971, Andy Williams identified it as a song in his wheelhouse and recorded his own version for his covers album You've Got a Friend.
Despite the affected tale of heartache, this song was very easy to write, as Robin Gibb claims they wrote it in about an hour and without struggle or hardship. >>
Suggestion credit:
Bertrand - Paris, France
Al Green recorded this in 1972 for his album Let's Stay Together. His version was used in the 1999 movie Notting Hill. Green drew out his epic interpretation to nearly six and a half minutes. According to Mojo magazine, producer Willie Mitchell instructed the band to imagine "they were sitting by a river, a forest across the water, with all this music coming out of the forest and floating across the river, kind of delayed."
This was written during the same afternoon as The Bee Gees' previous American hit, "Lonely Days" in Barry Gibb's basement flat at Addison Road, Holland Park, London.

Comments: 17

David Adams from From Searsport Maine I was born in 1949 like one of the Bee Gees. I can't remember which brother Probably Barry Gibbs. He has an incredible voice my favorite. Sorry to lose the other brothers. May they rest in peace.
Calvin Adelrick from MalaysiaThis song was about the 3 of them instead, a come back hit after a split of 2years which Andy went solo etc before that... egos and management issues was the problem. Lyrics say it all. Can watch it on the Docu ..Kettle Road " The Life and Music"
Josh Souvannakasy from Tumwater Very sad song
Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm {06-26-2018}...
Bee Gee Barry Gibb was granted a knighthood by England’s Prince Charles Tuesday (June 26th, 2018) at Buckingham Palace...
The 71 year-old Sir Barry honored his late brothers Maurice and Robin saying, "If it was not for my brothers, I would not be here"...
Markantney from BiloxeAug 2014
Kristen, AL

You're correct, Green's version wasn't a single but it's been a huge "Quiet Storm" Hit in R&B since the early 70s-to this day.
Susan from Atlanta, GaI have been a major fan of the Bee Gees since their US debut in 1967 and have most of their albums and singles.
My ex and I got married in an informal ceremony in the student center of our university, and right before the ceremony, the song that played on the overhead was this one. At the time it seemed to me to be perhaps a bad omen. In retrospect, I realize I should have heeded my instincts.
Camille from Toronto, OhHere is an incredible song, very breathy and heartfelt, asking a question that many ask but to which there is no easy answer. The singer is reaching out to someone, perhaps a new potential love, imploring them to "please, help me mend my broken heart and let me live again."
Warren from Boise, IdMost people know this one as being one of the biggest hits they had that Robin Gibb sang on. Interestingly enough, Barry Gibb is the lead singer on the US single version from 1972. It gives the song a totally different sound. Is this the very version that went to number one??? I just pulled out my 45s the other day and was blown away when Barry started singing!!!
Jinny from Brighton , United KingdomAndy Williams did NOT turn this song down! That's a common misconception.
Boomer from Oklahoma City, OkHow Can You Mend A Broken Heart is another of the Bee Gees's great songs credited to Barry and Robin that may have been cowritten by Maurice as well. For years, the writing credit bore the B&R Gibb writing credit but on 2009's Ultimate Bee Gees double cd and dvd, the song was shown as being written by Barry, Robin and Maurice, for the recorded version on the cd and for the video included on the cd. Whether it was in error or a case of setting the record straight remains to be seen. We won't know until the next time the song is reissued.
Rick from Belfast, MeThis song simply cuts to the heart of the matter....about hurt relationships....
Ian from Tacoma, Wa"No one said a word about the sorrow". How right
they we're about my relationship.
Lester from New York City, NyWas a very big Bee Gees fan until the disco crap. Their 1st album is great.
Kristin from Bessemer, AlI LOVE Al Green's version - too bad it was never released as a single-
Katrina from Pullman, WaThere have been several other artists to record this song including Michael Bublé, Al Green, and Its on the Ally McBeal Soundtrack: "For Once In My Life"
Marty from San Francisco, CaThis was the song that sold me on the Bee Gees and Trafalgar was my first album purchase. A true concept album!
Marty from San Francisco, CaAndy Williams is still kicking himself. He later released it as an album cut - but no hit.

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