Introduction:
Released in 1968 on the album Idea, When the Swallows Fly stands out as a distinct entry in the discography of the Bee Gees. Known for their infectious disco beats that would dominate the airwaves in the following decade, the Bee Gees presented a different side of themselves with this song.
When the Swallows Fly is a ballad, a melodic and introspective track that showcases the Gibb brothers’ versatility as musicians. The song features their signature close harmonies, but with a more melancholic tone than their earlier pop hits. This melancholic quality is present in the lyrics, which grapple with themes of mortality and existential loneliness. Lines like “I wander lonely as a cloud” and “Everybody’s got a destiny” hint at a deeper contemplation than is typical of their upbeat pop songs.
While the Gibb brothers, Barry, Robin, and Maurice, wrote and performed When the Swallows Fly, the song’s production deviates from their usual collaborator, Bob Ezrin. Instead, Karl Richardson took the helm, resulting in a unique soundscape within the Bee Gees’ vast catalog. Richardson’s production choices for When the Swallows Fly move away from the elaborate arrangements that would define the Bee Gees’ disco era, opting for a more stripped-down and introspective approach that complements the song’s lyrical themes.
When the Swallows Fly was not a major commercial success upon its release in 1968. The Bee Gees were still finding their footing as a band, and the disco sound that would propel them to superstardom was a few years away. However, the song has garnered a devoted following over the years. Appreciated for its melancholic beauty and heartfelt vocals, When the Swallows Fly is now considered a hidden gem by many Bee Gees fans and a testament to the group’s ability to excel in genres beyond disco. The song can be found on various Bee Gees compilations and has been featured on fan-created playlists, showcasing its enduring appeal despite not achieving mainstream recognition during its initial release.
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Lyrics:
I wander lonely as a cloudI keep my head above the crowdAin’t nobody else as big as meBut I must remember friendsWhat has to start just has to endEverybody’s got a destiny
And I know when the swallows fliesYes I know, and the earth just diesThen I’ll be told what I amThe swallow and me
I’ll look after number oneI’ll forget the beggar’s sonEverybody’s got to stay aliveI’ll keep a-walking amongst the cloudsI’ll keep my head above the crowdI’ll watch them live, I’ll watch them die
And I know when the swallows fliesYes I know, and the earth just diesThen I’ll be told what I amThe swallow and me
And I know when the swallows fliesYes I know, and the earth just diesYes I know when the swallow fliesYes I know, and the earth just dies