Tragedy (Bee Gees song)

"Tragedy"
Single by Bee Gees
from the album Spirits Having Flown
B-side"Until"
ReleasedFebruary 1979
Recorded1978
Genre
Length5:03
LabelRSO
Songwriter(s)Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s)
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Too Much Heaven"
(1978) 		"Tragedy"
(1979) 		"Love You Inside Out"
(1979)
Music video
"Tragedy (Live in Las Vegas, 1997 - One Night Only)" on YouTube
"Bee Gees - Tragedy (Official Music Video)" on YouTube

"Tragedy" is a song released by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb, included on their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown. The single reached number one in the UK in February 1979 and repeated the feat the following month on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1998, it was covered by British pop group Steps, whose version also reached number one in the UK. In 2024, it was used in the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, as well as its trailer.

Origin

[edit]

Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb wrote this song and "Too Much Heaven" in an afternoon off from making the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band movie, in which they were starring. In the same evening, they wrote "Shadow Dancing", which was performed by Andy Gibb (and reached number one in the US).[2]

The explosion sound effect at the song's climax has been the subject of much interest, and footage filmed at Criteria Studios that aired in a Bee Gees special on NBC later in 1979 documented a recording session with Barry Gibb in front of a studio microphone blowing through his cupped hands to try to achieve it.

Co-producer Karl Richardson told writer Grant Walters of Albumism how they processed that raw sound to give it more authenticity. "It was a thing called a product generator. It was a new toy that someone...you know, we were in tune with all the [Audio Engineering Society] shows—you know, 'what's the new stuff coming out?' And I guess we just got a sample of it. It was a box and you put two inputs in it, and it generates all these harmonics and products.

"So, the two things that went into it were Albhy [Galuten], or maybe [keyboardist] Blue [Weaver], holding the notes on the bottom end of a piano across multiple keys—maybe as many keys as you could mash down on a grand piano—and then Barry’s voice going ‘pbbhhhh!’ into a dynamic microphone, blowing air through the diaphragm to distort it. And then you mix these two signals through the generator, and whatever came out sounded like dynamite [laughs]. It was very technological—nobody had that sound, I know that for a fact."[3]

Though not originally in Saturday Night Fever, "Tragedy" has subsequently been added to the musical score of the West End version of the movie-musical. The song knocked "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor off the top spot in the US for two weeks before that song again returned to number one for an additional week. "Tragedy" was the second single out of the three released from the album to interrupt a song's stay at #1.

In the US, it would become the fifth of six consecutive number-ones, tying the record with Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles for most consecutive number-ones in the US—a record later broken by Whitney Houston, who had seven.[citation needed]

On 1 November 2024, the new music video for this song was released on the Bee Gees' official YouTube channel[4].

Reception

[edit]

American magazine Billboard felt that the song had similar intensity to "Stayin' Alive" and that it had multiple vocal and instrumental hooks and "graceful" harmonies.[5] Cash Box said it has "vibrant arrangement of synthesizer, guitars, horns, solid beat and dramatic vocals."[6] Record World called it "sizzling" and "up-tempo" and "with some classic progressions, high harmonies and an undercurrent of synthesizers."[7]

Charts

[edit]

Sales and certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[43] Platinum 150,000^
France (SNEP)[44] Gold 500,000*
Japan — 100,000[45]
United Kingdom (BPI)[46] Gold 500,000^
United States (RIAA)[47] Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Steps version

[edit]
"Tragedy"
Single by Steps
from the album Steptacular and Bee Gees Tribute Album: Gotta Get a Message to You
A-side"Heartbeat"
B-side"Stay with Me" (US)
Released9 November 1998 (1998-11-09)
Recorded1998
StudioPWL (Manchester, England)
GenrePop
Length
  • 4:31 (album version)
  • 3:30 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s)
Steps singles chronology
"One for Sorrow"
(1998) 		"Heartbeat" / "Tragedy"
(1998) 		"Better Best Forgotten"
(1999)
Music video
"Tragedy" on YouTube

"Tragedy" was covered by British pop group Steps. Issued as a double A-side with "Heartbeat", it was released on 9 November 1998. The song was recorded for the Bee Gees Tribute Album: Gotta Get a Message to You and was later included on the group's second album, Steptacular (1999). "Heartbeat" / "Tragedy" reached number one in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In the former country, it spent 30 weeks on the UK Singles Chart and sold more copies than all three previous Steps singles combined, with 1.21 million copies sold in the UK.[48] The video for "Tragedy" contained the dance step of putting both hands parallel to the sides of the head in time with the word "tragedy", which became a signature move for the group.

Critical reception

[edit]

Scottish newspaper Aberdeen Evening Express stated that Steps "did such a sparkling remake" of the song, noting that it "gets [Steptacular] off to a discotastic start".[49] AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien described it as a "triumphant cover".[50] Lucas Villa from AXS wrote that Claire, Faye and Lisa's "powerful performances (coupled with that iconic hands dance step) made "Tragedy" an undeniable dance floor anthem."[51] A reviewer from Daily Record commented, "Once again, Steps have come up with a catchy tune and the reworking of Tragedy has clubbers mimicking the band's dance techniques."[52]

Music video

[edit]

The accompanying music video for "Tragedy" was directed by David Amphlett. It starts with a Doraemon-shaped alarm clock ringing and sees Faye, Claire, and Lisa getting married. The lads, Lee and H, sabotage all three weddings before they all go to a disco. The church and disco scenes were filmed in All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald, London and the adjoining Blackwell Hall, respectively. The external location shots of the boys leaving their house and driving were filmed in Blackheath, South London. The group's actual families all took part in the video, with the girls' real-life fathers walking them down the aisle, and record producer Pete Waterman appears as the wedding DJ.[citation needed]

Track listings

[edit]
  1. "Heartbeat" – 4:24
  2. "Tragedy" – 4:31
  3. "Heartbeat" (instrumental) – 4:24
  • UK cassette single and European CD single[55][56]
  1. "Heartbeat" – 4:24
  2. "Tragedy" – 4:31
  1. "Tragedy" (LP version) – 4:30
  2. "Stay with Me" – 4:04

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular.[59]

Recording

  • Recorded at PWL Studios, Manchester in 1998
  • Mixed at PWL Studios, Manchester
  • Mastered at Transfermation Studios, London

Vocals

  • Lead vocals – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer
  • Background vocals – Lisa Scott-Lee, Lee Latchford-Evans, Ian "H" Watkins

Personnel

  • Songwriting – Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
  • Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
  • Mixing – Dan Frampton, Pete Waterman
  • Engineer – Chris McDonnell
  • Drums – Chris McDonnell
  • Keyboards – Karl Twigg
  • Guitars – Mark Topham

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[81] Gold 25,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[82] Platinum 10,000*
Sweden (GLF)[83] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[84] Platinum 1,210,000[48]
United States — 98,000[85]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom "Heartbeat" / "Tragedy" 9 November 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
[86]
United States "Tragedy" 18 January 2000 Contemporary hit radio [87]

Foo Fighters version

[edit]

In 2021, American rock band Foo Fighters, under their alter ego, the 'Dee Gees', covered the song for their album Hail Satin.[88]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Eder, Bruce. "Spirits Having Flown - Bee Gees | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Tragedy", Songfacts.com. Accessed 17 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Bee Gees' 'Spirits Having Flown' Turns 45 | Album Anniversary". Albumism. 3 February 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Bee Gees - Tragedy (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. 3 February 1979. p. 86. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 3 February 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 3 February 1979. p. 1. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Bee Gees – Tragedy" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  9. ^ "Bee Gees – Tragedy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  10. ^ "Tragedy in Canadian Top Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Tragedy in Canadian Disco Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  12. ^ a b Steve Hawtin; et al. "Song title 301 - Tragedy". Tsort.info. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  13. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. p. 97. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  14. ^ "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70" (in French). Infodisc.fr. 2 June 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Tragedy in Irish Chart". IRMA. Retrieved 2 June 2013. 2nd result when searching "Tragedy"
  16. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 27 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Bee Gees".
  17. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 1979" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  18. ^ "Bee Gees – Tragedy" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  19. ^ "Bee Gees – Tragedy". Top 40 Singles.
  20. ^ "Bee Gees – Tragedy". VG-lista.
  21. ^ John Samson. "Tragedy in South African Chart". Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  22. ^ Danyel Smith, ed. (1979). "Billboard 23 June 1979". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
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  27. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 26.
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  30. ^ "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  31. ^ "Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 10 January 2023 – via Imgur.com.
  32. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1979". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1979". Ultratop. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Top 200 Singles of '78 – Volume 30, No. 14, December 30 1978". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  35. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1979". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
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  40. ^ Musicoutfitters.com
  41. ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, 29 December 1979". Archived from the original on 13 July 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Bee Gees – Tragedy". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
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  45. ^ Hartz, Peter (17 February 1979). "Bee Gees's Spirits Having Flown' LP Debuts #4 Bullet" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
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  48. ^ a b Copsey, Rob (14 March 2017). "Steps' biggest selling singles revealed". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  49. ^ Aberdeen Evening Express. 6 October 1999. p. 26.
  50. ^ O'Brien, Jon. "The Ultimate Collection". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  51. ^ Villa, Lucas (19 June 2017). "Steps turns 20: Counting down the pop group's top 10 singles". AXS. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  52. ^ "Chart Slot". Daily Record. 22 January 1999.
  53. ^ Heartbeat / Tragedy (UK CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1998. 0519142.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  54. ^ Heartbeat / Tragedy (Australian CD single liner notes). Steps. Mushroom Records, Jive Records. 1998. MUSH01842.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  55. ^ Heartbeat / Tragedy (UK cassette single sleeve). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1998. 0519144.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  56. ^ Heartbeat / Tragedy (European CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1998. 0580062.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  57. ^ Tragedy (US CD single liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 2000. 01241-42652-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  58. ^ Tragedy (US cassette single sleeve). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 2000. 01241-42652-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  59. ^ Steptacular (European CD album liner notes). Steps. Jive Records, Ebul Records. 1999. 0519442.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  61. ^ "Steps – Heartbeat / Tragedy" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  62. ^ "Steps – Heartbeat / Tragedy" (in French). Ultratop 50.
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  64. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 9. 27 February 1999. p. 20. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  65. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heartbeat / Tragedy". Irish Singles Chart.
  66. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
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  69. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
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  71. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  72. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company.
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  75. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  76. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. 1 January 2000. p. 11. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  77. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  78. ^ "End of Year Charts 1999". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  79. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  80. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England. 22 January 2000. p. 27.
  81. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  82. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Steps – Heartbeat/Tragedy". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  83. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
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  85. ^ "UK Pop Acts Have to Speak New Language". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 20. 19 May 2001. p. 85. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  86. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 7 November 1998. p. 33.
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  88. ^ Gallagher, Alex (20 July 2021). "Stream Foo Fighters' new album as disco alter-ego The Dee Gees, 'Hail Satin'". nme.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
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