Introduction:
Released in early 1968, The Earnest of Being George is a track by the Bee Gees that marked a shift in their artistic direction. Part of their second studio album, Horizontal, it veered away from the band’s earlier focus on beat and pop melodies, embracing a more psychedelic rock sound.
The Bee Gees at this point were comprised of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The Earnest of Being George is credited to all three brothers as both composers and lyricists. The song was produced by Robert Stigwood, who had been working with the band since their early days.
Horizontal itself was a critical and commercial success. It peaked at No. 13 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 14 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. While the album didn’t produce any major hit singles, it showcased the band’s evolving sound and songwriting abilities.
The Earnest of Being George exemplifies this experimentation. The song title itself is a pun, referencing Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest. However, according to Barry Gibb, the song itself wasn’t meant to have a deep meaning, but rather served as an opportunity for musical exploration.
The psychedelic influences are evident in the song’s structure and instrumentation. The Earnest of Being George features a driving beat, distorted guitars, and swirling organ melodies. The vocals, though still retaining the Gibb brothers’ signature harmonies, take on a more urgent and effects-laden quality.
While The Earnest of Being George wasn’t a breakout hit for the Bee Gees, it has gained recognition among fans and music critics for its unique sound and its place in the band’s artistic development. It serves as a bridge between their earlier beat-oriented pop sound and their later forays into disco and ballads. The song’s psychedelic flourishes foreshadowed the musical trends that would dominate the late 1960s, and The Earnest of Being George remains an interesting footnote in the ever-evolving story of the Bee Gees.
Video:
Lyrics:
You better run just as fast as you can, I’ve got no reason to try.You did it to me and I’m takin’ a stand. You’ve got a reason to cry.Fairy stories in the penny arcade.You bought my love and I paid.I’m not trying to make history.You could have been good to me. (music)
Fairy stories in the penny arcade.You bought my love and I paid.I’m not trying to make history.You could have been good to me.
Spent my life a-makin’ my love to you.I’ve got no reason to try.Got no reason left for makin’ you blue.You’ve got a reason to cry.
Fairy stories in the penny arcade.You bought my love and I paid.I’m not trying to make history.You could have been good to me.
You better run just as fast as you can. [Repeat: x3]