Ten Smashes With a Secret: The Bee Gees Songs That Made Other Stars Famous
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Here's a fun party trick: play "Islands in the Stream" and ask your friends who wrote it. Half will say Kenny Rogers. Some will say Dolly Parton. Almost nobody gets it right.
The answer, of course, is the Bee Gees — and they weren't a one-off. During the mid-'80s especially, Barry, Robin, and Maurice ran one of the most in-demand songwriting operations in pop. Their name wasn't on the marquee, but their fingerprints were all over the radio. Let's run down ten tracks that prove it.
1. "Islands in the Stream" — Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (1983)
The crown jewel. Barry Gibb wrote it with the brothers, originally aiming for a soul artist, before it landed with Kenny and Dolly. The result? A #1 country and pop smash that still gets played at every wedding in America. Dolly reportedly wanted to call it "Islands in the Stream" after a Hemingway phrase — the title stuck, and so did the song.
2. "Grease" — Frankie Valli (1978)
At the absolute peak of Saturday Night Fever fever, Barry wrote and produced this title track for the movie Grease. A disco-fueled doo-wop tribute sung by a '60s legend, produced by a '70s legend — it went to #1 and won Barry an ASCAP award. Not bad for a song written in a hurry between sessions.
3. "Heartbreaker" — Dionne Warwick (1982)
Barry co-wrote and co-produced Dionne's entire Heartbreaker album, and the title track became a Top 10 hit in the US. Dionne's elegant delivery over a Gibb-crafted melody? Effortless. The album reportedly sold millions worldwide and reminded everyone why the brothers were the hottest writers in town.
4. "Chain Reaction" — Diana Ross (1985)
Robin and Maurice co-wrote this Motown-meets-disco throwback for Diana, and it shot to #1 in the UK and hit the US Top 40. That punchy, retro sound? Pure Gibb DNA, wrapped in Diana's unmistakable voice.
5. "Woman in Love" — Barbra Streisand (1980)
Barry and Robin wrote it, Barry produced it, and Barbra took it to #1 for three weeks in the US. The Guilty album they built with her became one of the biggest of her career. If you only know the Bee Gees from their own records, this collaboration is essential listening.
6. "Guilty" — Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb (1980)
The duet that gave the album its name. Barry didn't just write for Streisand — he stepped into the studio and sang with her, earning a Grammy for the pair. Proof that a Gibb demo and a Gibb master were often the same thing.
7. "Shadow Dancing" — Andy Gibb (1978)
Okay, it's a family affair — Andy was a Gibb, after all — but the three older brothers co-wrote and produced this #1 smash for their little brother. Four consecutive #1s by Gibb-penned songs in 1978? That's a run radio programmers still talk about.
8. "Immortality" — Celine Dion (1998)
Written for Celine's Let's Talk About Love — the album featuring "My Heart Will Go On" — the Bee Gees contributed this soaring ballad, and the brothers even appear in the video. A late-era reminder that the songwriting well never ran dry.
9. "If I Can't Have You" — Yvonne Elliman (1977)
Yes, the brothers recorded it themselves on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack — but it was Yvonne's version that hit #1 in the US first. Written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice, it's one of the great disco ballads, full stop.
10. "Emotion" — Samantha Sang (1977)
Before Destiny's Child revived it in 2001, "Emotion" was a Top 10 hit for Australian singer Samantha Sang, written and produced by Barry with Robin on backing harmonies. Two eras, two hit versions, one Gibb melody.
The Quiet Second Career
Add it up and it's staggering: while the Bee Gees were selling their own records by the millions, they were simultaneously writing chart-toppers for country stars, divas, disco queens, and their own little brother. Their songs didn't just top the charts — they became the charts.
So next time "Islands in the Stream" comes on at a cookout, you can drop the real answer. You're welcome.
Your turn: which of these surprised you most? Drop your pick in the comments and tell us your favorite Gibb-written smash.
