Background
It was originally written and intended for Cliff Richard, but he never got around to recording the track as he wasn't making an album at the time. Rather than wasting the song, the Bee Gees decided to record it themselves. The vocals feature a very strong vibrato. Barry Gibb sings lead vocal and possibly all the backing vocals as well. The band consisted of: Barry Gibb (rhythm guitar), Maurice Gibb (piano and bass guitar), Robin Gibb and Colin Petersen (drums), with an orchestral arrangement by Bill Shepherd. Some backing vocals near the end are heard only on the mono mix used on the single, some compilations, and the Studio Albums 1967-1968 box set.
"Words" is a solo spotlight for Barry Gibb, Robin does not appear to sing on the song at all, and Robin said "'Words' reflects a mood, It was written after an argument. Barry had been arguing with someone, I had been arguing with someone, and happened to be in the same mood. about absolutely nothing. They were just words. That is what the song is all about; words can make you happy or words can make you sad".
On The Mini Mob includes a version of "Words", which was recorded by Georgie Fame. Filmmaker Robert Amram recalls getting the promised song with just days to spare in the shooting schedule. It could have been a single by Georgie Fame, but Robert Stigwood, who co-produce this song put out a Bee Gees version.
Read more about this topic: Words (Bee Gees Song)
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