Did you know “To Love Somebody” was first written for Otis Redding? The Bee Gees ended up recording it instead after his tragic death and it became one of their most loved songs. In the late 1960s, with America in turmoil and music rapidly changing, three brothers from England poured their emotions into a ballad that would live on for generations.
Barry Gibb’s falsetto does not try to overpower you. It aches. When he sings, “You do not know what it is like to love somebody the way I love you,” it sounds less like a performance and more like a confession that slipped out. The guitars and organ behind him are simple, almost too simple, like they’re making space for the words to sting.
The Bee Gees – To Love Somebody (1967)
Fans have always connected with this honesty. One person wrote it felt like Barry was talking “straight into the middle of your chest.” Another said it dragged up memories of their first heartbreak, the kind you think you’ve outgrown but really haven’t. And then there’s that line, “If I ain’t got you”, not sung smooth, not perfect, but jagged, like he’s begging.
That longing shifts when you hear “How Deep Is Your Love.” If the first song is about unreturned love, this one feels like stepping into the light after a long night. Released in 1977, it turns yearning into reflection, asking not just for love but for its depth, its trust, its truth.
Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love (Official Video)
The opening harmonies wrap around you like warmth. Barry’s falsetto glides as he sings, “How deep is your love? I really mean to learn.” The words carry hope, even against a world that tries to break love apart. Listeners still call it timeless, with one saying it always makes them believe in true love.
Together, these songs show the Bee Gees’ emotional journey, from raw heartache to tender questioning. Their music remains honest, patient and deeply human. Follow the Bee Gees on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep reliving the songs that shaped a generation.