Introduction:
The discography of the Bee Gees is a sprawling journey through multiple genres and musical eras. While they are most celebrated for their later disco albums and ballads like “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” the Bee Gees experimented with a wide range of sounds throughout their career. One such example is the song It’s My Neighborhood, a track that leans into the burgeoning disco sound but arrived before the band’s full-fledged disco transformation.
Released in 1970, It’s My Neighborhood was included on the Bee Gees’ ninth studio album, simply titled Bee Gees. The album itself was a transitional one for the brothers Gibb, showcasing a move away from their earlier rock and pop sound and a exploration of more R&B and soul influences. It’s My Neighborhood exemplifies this perfectly, featuring a prominent bassline, driving drums, and an overall danceable groove.
The song is credited to all three Gibb brothers: Barry, Robin, and Maurice. While they had always collaborated on songwriting, this era saw a greater emphasis on their collective talents. It’s My Neighborhood was produced by Bill Shepherd, a long-time collaborator with the Bee Gees who had worked on several of their albums throughout the 1960s. Shepherd would continue to work with the band sporadically throughout their career.
It’s My Neighborhood wasn’t a major commercial hit for the Bee Gees. Released at a time when the band’s sound was evolving, it didn’t quite fit the mold of either their earlier pop hits or the disco anthems they would become known for later in the decade. However, the song still achieved some chart success. In the United States, It’s My Neighborhood reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song performed even better in Canada, peaking at number 3 on the RPM 100 chart.
Despite not being a massive hit, It’s My Neighborhood holds a certain significance within the Bee Gees’ catalog. The song represents a stepping stone in their musical evolution, showcasing their embrace of new sounds and influences that would lead them to mega-stardom a few years later. It’s a track that demonstrates the band’s versatility and their willingness to experiment before achieving disco dominance.
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Lyrics:
Don’t get too close to meDon’t overreactYou’re not the enemy as a matter of factYou got your pretty face and you got any name you woreGonna stick by you, gonna stumble over what to do
I want it, good lovin’ want to be your playthingI want it, good lovin’ bring out the beast in meI want it, good lovin’ want to make your heart singIn the shadows we are free, and I walk you through it
It’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou’re in trouble if youDisagree with meIt’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou find out why
It’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou’re in trouble if youDisagree with meIt’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou find out why
So many tell you that you can’t winIt’s a battle if you’re lonelyOr if you’re starting overTwo-fisted and fast on your feetAnd you know there’s something moreAnd the city kicks it out of you and…
I want it, good lovin’ want to be your playthingI want it, good lovin’ bring out the worst in meI want it, good lovin’ want to make your heart singIn the shadows we are free, and I walk you through it
It’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou’re in trouble if youDisagree with meIt’s my neighborhoodThat’s where I belongYou find out why