Introduction:
The year is 1968. The world is in a state of flux. The Vietnam War rages on, social movements for civil rights and gender equality gain momentum, and rock and roll continues to evolve. It’s against this backdrop that the Bee Gees, a young Australian group with a sound that blended pop sensibilities with soulful harmonies, released a song that captured a specific kind of youthful yearning for adventure and escape.
The song, titled “I Have Decided To Join The Air Force”, arrived on the heels of the Bee Gees’ breakout success with “Massachusetts” in 1967. Composed by brothers Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and Robin Gibb, the song showcased their signature vocal talents – Barry’s soaring falsetto, Robin’s soulful lower register, and Maurice’s rich harmonies.
“I Have Decided To Join The Air Force” wasn’t produced by a single individual, but rather a team effort. Ossie Byrne, who had been working with the Bee Gees since their early days in Australia, remained their manager. Robert Stigwood, a British impresario who would later find fame managing artists like Eric Clapton and Cream, also played a significant role in shaping the Bee Gees’ sound in the late 1960s. Stigwood, along with Hugh Desmond, took production credits for “I Have Decided To Join The Air Force”.
The song itself is a declaration of independence from a young man, determined to forge his own path. While the lyrics don’t explicitly mention the Vietnam War, the context of the era makes it impossible to ignore the underlying anti-establishment sentiment. The protagonist, facing societal pressures and a sense of stagnation, finds the Air Force as a way to break free from the monotony of his life and experience the world. The repeated line, “Don’t ask me why, it’s my mind and it’s right,” emphasizes his resolute determination.
“I Have Decided To Join The Air Force” wasn’t a major commercial success upon its initial release. However, it has become a cult classic among Bee Gees fans and a testament to their songwriting prowess during their early pop-oriented era. The song continues to resonate with listeners who identify with the desire to break free from conformity and pursue a path less traveled.
Video:
Lyrics:
Mother, I’m going to join the Air Force todayI don’t care what the neighbors may sayBut I’m going to join the Air Force today
Mother, I don’t care what my father might thinkPerhaps it’s going to drive him to drinkBut I don’t care what my father might think
Don’t ask me why, it’s my mind and it’s rightDon’t ask me why, it’s my mindIt’s better, it’s better than being aloneAlone on the ground, now I find
Mother, I’ve got to join the Air Force, you seeI’ve seen my friends and they all agreeThat it’s better than joining the army or going to sea
Mother, I’ve got to join the Air Force, you seeI’ve seen my friends and they all agreeThat it’s better than joining the army or going to sea
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