Introduction:
The Bee Gees, a name synonymous with disco music in the latter half of the 1970s, had a musical career that stretched far beyond the era of platform shoes and four-on-the-floor beats. Their early work, though distinct from their disco sound, laid the foundation for their future success. “Second Hand People”, released in 1966, exemplifies this early period.
Composed by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, the core members of the Bee Gees, “Second Hand People” was featured on their fourth studio album, Spicks and Specks. The album itself was a critical and commercial response to the British Invasion spearheaded by bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Though classified as pop rock, Spicks and Specks showcased the Gibb brothers’ experimentation with various genres, including psychedelic rock and blue-eyed soul.
“Second Hand People” falls under the genre of blue-eyed soul. This genre, popular in the mid-1960s, was performed by white artists who incorporated elements of rhythm and blues and soul music, which were typically African American genres. In “Second Hand People”, the Bee Gees’ signature close harmonies are evident, but they are accompanied by a melancholic piano melody and a steady, bluesy drumbeat. The lyrics paint a picture of poverty, despair, and alienation. Lines like “We do not know the meaning of it all” and “Ain’t got a nickel for a bit to eat” convey a sense of hopelessness, a stark contrast to the more optimistic tone that would characterize their disco era music.
While “Second Hand People” was not a major hit for the Bee Gees, it serves as a significant marker in their artistic development. The song demonstrated their ability to capture the emotional tenor of the times while experimenting with different musical styles. This willingness to explore would eventually lead them to embrace disco in the 1970s, a sound that would propel them to international superstardom. “Second Hand People”, though a lesser-known track in their vast discography, offers a valuable glimpse into the early evolution of the Bee Gees.
Video:
Lyrics:
See the cracks upon the wallWe do not know the meaning of it allAin’t no fire to warm my feetAin’t got a nickel for a bit to eatWe’re not workin’, we’re not slavin’Ain’t worth a brain, ’cause we’re not worth savin’
Second hand people, tall as a steepleSofter than treacle, in a pond are weSecond hand people
Ain’t no mirror to comb my faceJust keep on going from place to placeAin’t got no lights above my headDon’t even bother to leave my bedWe’re not livin’, we’re existin’We’re not movin’, just resistin’
Second hand people, tall as a steepleSofter than treacle, in a pond are weSecond hand people, tall as a steeple (yeah)