Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)

Last updated
"Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)"
FannyBeTender.jpg
Single by Bee Gees
from the album Main Course
B-side "Country Lanes"
ReleasedJanuary 1976 [1] [2]
Recorded30 January, 17, 19 February 1975
Studio Criteria (Miami)
Genre
Length4:02 (album version)
3:26 (single version)
Label RSO
Songwriter(s) Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s) Arif Mardin
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Nights on Broadway"
(1975)		"Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)"
(1976)		"You Should Be Dancing"
(1976)

"Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)" is a song written and performed by the Bee Gees for their Main Course album in 1975. [4] It was the third single release from the album, peaking at number 12 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 [5] and number two in Canada. According to Maurice Gibb, producer Quincy Jones called "Fanny" one of his favorite R&B songs of all time. [6]

Contents

Inspiration and recording

It was written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb. In a 2001 Billboard magazine interview with the Bee Gees, Barry claimed that

We had a housecleaner named Fanny when we stayed at 461 Ocean Blvd. [in North Miami Beach] during the making of Main Course. We were sitting in the lounge at Criteria [Studios] writing the song with the lyric idea, 'Be tender with my love'. Maurice turned round and saw Fanny and said, 'Wouldn't it be a better song if it was a woman's name in there, and you're asking her to be tender? [6]

Recording for "Fanny" took place on 30 January, the same day as "Jive Talkin'", "Songbird", and "All This Making Love". Additional recording took place in February when Barry Gibb began to use his falsetto as a lead vocal in addition to Robin using his falsetto as well sharing the lead on "Fanny" and on backing vocals. The result of this song repeats on the idea of contrasting slower section of "Nights on Broadway". [7] The complexity of falsetto and natural harmonies would become a Bee Gees trademark culminating with 1979's Spirits Having Flown . The key of this song in the end, was from keyboardist Blue Weaver. Weaver was influenced by Hall & Oates' 1973 LP Abandoned Luncheonette as he later admits, "The key change in 'Fanny (Be Tender)' was a complete rip-off from Abandoned Luncheonette from 'She's Gone' [also produced by Mardin], I only had it on tape, and I didn't know that Arif produced it". [8]

Critical reception

Cash Box called it a "soulful composition" that "appears to be the third monster single in a row for these pop masters" off the Main Course album. [9] Record World said that "the Brothers Gibb return to their old heavenly harmony sound." [10]

The group did not perform "Fanny" live because of the layers of harmonies used to create the studio recording. A promotional film was made for distribution, the place was in the same as "Jive Talkin'".

In an interview for Billboard magazine on 14 November 2001, Maurice Gibb claims: "We all love that one, but it's just a bitch to sing". [11] Bruce Eder of Allmusic describes "Fanny" along with "Baby As You Turn Away" had the same exquisitely sung sense of romantic drama as "Lonely Days" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". [12]

Chart performance

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Gibb</span> British musician (1949–2003)

Maurice Ernest Gibb was a British musician. He achieved worldwide fame as a member of the pop group Bee Gees. Although his elder brother Barry Gibb and fraternal twin brother Robin Gibb were the group's main lead singers, most of their albums included at least one or two songs featuring Maurice's lead vocals, including "Lay It on Me", "Country Woman" and "On Time". The Bee Gees are one of the most successful pop-rock groups of all time.

<i>Mr. Natural</i> (Bee Gees album) 1974 studio album by the Bee Gees

Mr. Natural is the twelfth studio album by the Bee Gees, released in 1974. It was the first Bee Gees release produced by Arif Mardin, who was partially responsible for launching the group's later major success with the follow-up album Main Course. The album's rhythm and blues, soul, funk, and hard rock sounds initiated the group's reinvention as a disco and blue-eyed soul act, which would solidify on subsequent albums. However, Barry Gibb has said that the album was "whiter" than Main Course. The cover photograph was taken at 334 West 4th Street, Greenwich Village, New York City by Frank Moscati, which is today known as The Corner Bistro tavern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night Fever</span> 1978 single by the Bee Gees

"Night Fever" is a song written and performed by the Bee Gees. It first appeared on the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever on RSO Records. Producer Robert Stigwood wanted to call the film Saturday Night, but singer Robin Gibb expressed hesitation at the title. Stigwood liked the title Night Fever but was wary of marketing a movie with that name. The song bounded up the Billboard charts while the Bee Gees’ two previous hits from Saturday Night Fever soundtrack were still in the top ten. The record debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart at #76, then leaped up 44 positions to #32. It then moved: 32–17–8–5–2–1. It remained at #1 for eight weeks, and ultimately spent 13 weeks in the top 10. For the first five weeks that "Night Fever" was at #1, "Stayin' Alive" was at #2. Also, for one week in March, Bee Gees related songs held five of the top positions on the Hot 100 chart, and four of the top five positions, with "Night Fever" at the top of the list. The B-side of "Night Fever" was a live version of "Down the Road" taken from the Bee Gees 1977 album, Here at Last... Bee Gees... Live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nights on Broadway</span> Song by the Bee Gees

"Nights on Broadway" is a song by the Bee Gees from the Main Course album released in 1975. The second single released from the album, it immediately followed their number-one hit "Jive Talkin'". This track was credited to Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Much Heaven</span> 1978 single by Bee Gees

"Too Much Heaven" is a song by the Bee Gees, which was the band's contribution to the "Music for UNICEF" fund. They performed it at the Music for UNICEF Concert on 9 January 1979. The song later found its way to the group's thirteenth original album, Spirits Having Flown. It hit No. 1 in both the US and Canada. In the United States, the song was the first single out of three from the album to interrupt a song's stay at #1. "Too Much Heaven" knocked "Le Freak" off the top spot for two weeks before "Le Freak" returned to #1 again. "Too Much Heaven" also rose to the top three in the UK. In the US, it would become the fourth of six consecutive No. 1s, equalling the record set by Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles for the most consecutive No. 1 songs. The six Bee Gee songs are "How Deep Is Your Love", "Stayin' Alive", "Night Fever", "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy" and "Love You Inside Out". The songs spanned the years of 1977, 1978 and 1979.

<i>Main Course</i> 1975 studio album by the Bee Gees

Main Course is the thirteenth studio album by the Bee Gees, released in 1975 by RSO Records. It was the group's last album to be released by Atlantic Records in the US under its distribution deal with Robert Stigwood. This album marked a great change for the Bee Gees as it was their first album to include mostly R&B, soul and funk-influenced songs, and created the model for their output through the rest of the 1970s. It rejuvenated the group's career and public image, particularly in the US, after the commercial disappointment of their preceding albums. Main Course was the first album to feature keyboardist Blue Weaver who had just left the Strawbs and toured with Mott the Hoople. The album cover with the band's new logo designed by US artist Drew Struzan made its first appearance here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love You Inside Out</span> 1979 single by Bee Gees

"Love You Inside Out" is a 1979 hit single by the Bee Gees from their album, Spirits Having Flown. It was their last chart-topping single on the Billboard Hot 100, interrupting Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff", becoming the third single from the album to do so. In the UK, the single peaked at No. 13 for two weeks. It was the ninth and final number-one hit for the Bee Gees in the US, and the twelfth and final number-one hit in Canada as well. The trio would not return to the top 10 for ten years, with the song, "One".

<i>Children of the World</i> 1976 studio album by the Bee Gees

Children of the World is the fourteenth studio album by the Bee Gees, released in 1976 by RSO Records. The first single, "You Should Be Dancing", went to No. 1 in the US and Canada, and was a top ten hit in numerous other territories. The album was re-issued on CD by Reprise Records and Rhino Records in 2006. This was the first record featuring the Gibb-Galuten-Richardson production team which would have many successful collaborations in the following years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Should Be Dancing</span> 1976 single by Bee Gees

"You Should Be Dancing" is a song by the Bee Gees, from the album Children of the World, released in 1976. It hit No. 1 for one week on the American Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 for seven weeks on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, and in September the same year, reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Soul chart. It was this song that first launched the Bee Gees into disco. It was also the only track from the group to top the dance chart.

<i>2 Years On</i> 1970 studio album by the Bee Gees

2 Years On is the eighth studio album by the Bee Gees, which reached No. 32 on the US charts. Released in 1970, the album saw the return of Robin Gibb to the group after an earlier disagreement and subsequent split following Odessa. 2 Years On was the first album with drummer Geoff Bridgford, who remained a full-time member of the group until 1972 although he was not pictured on the sleeve. The best-known track is "Lonely Days". Released as the first single by the reunited brothers, it charted high in the US, but peaked at No. 33 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I.O.I.O.</span> 1970 single by Bee Gees

"I.O.I.O." is a song by the Bee Gees, released on the album Cucumber Castle. It was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. The song was released as a single in March 1970, and was also one of the highlights of the album. The single was a relative success mainly on European charts. Its music video is taken from the film Cucumber Castle.

"Edge of the Universe" is a rock song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry and Robin Gibb from the album Main Course released in 1975, and also released as a B-side of "Nights on Broadway".

<i>Here at Last... Bee Gees... Live</i> 1977 live album by the Bee Gees

Here at Last... Bee Gees... Live is the first live album by the Bee Gees. It was recorded on December 20, 1976 at the LA Forum and was released in May 1977 by RSO Records. It reached No. 8 in the US, No. 8 in Australia, No. 1 in New Zealand, and No. 2 in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My World (Bee Gees song)</span> 1972 single by Bee Gees

"My World" is a 1972 single released by the Bee Gees. It was originally released as a non-album single on 14 January 1972 worldwide. but was later included on the compilation Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2 in 1973. The flip side of the single was "On Time", a country rock number composed by Maurice Gibb. "My World" reached the Top 20 in both US and UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alive (Bee Gees song)</span> 1972 single by Bee Gees

"Alive" is a ballad recorded by the Bee Gees for their album To Whom It May Concern. It was the second and last single from the album released on 10 November 1972 worldwide. The song was credited to Barry and Maurice Gibb and produced by the Gibbs and their manager Robert Stigwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love So Right</span> 1976 single by the Bee Gees

"Love So Right" is an R&B ballad recorded by the Bee Gees. It was the second single released on the album Children of the World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If Only I Had My Mind on Something Else</span> 1970 single by Bee Gees

"If Only I Had My Mind on Something Else" is a pop ballad recorded by the Bee Gees. It was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. It was the first track on the album Cucumber Castle. A remastered version was released in 1990 on Tales from the Brothers Gibb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saw a New Morning</span> 1973 single by Bee Gees

"Saw a New Morning" is the 1973 single released by the Bee Gees. It was also the group's first single released on Robert Stigwood's newly created records label RSO Records. The Bee Gees moved to Los Angeles in 1972 to record the album Life in a Tin Can which was a new direction for the group, who had been recording in England since 1967. The B-side, "My Life Has Been a Song" features lead vocal by Robin Gibb as well as Barry Gibb.

"You Stepped into My Life" is a song released by the Bee Gees in September 1976 on the album Children of the World. It was also released as the B-side of "Love So Right". Written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Railroad (song)</span> 1970 single by Maurice Gibb

"Railroad" is the first solo single released by Maurice Gibb, best known as a member of the Bee Gees. It was released in April 1970. Like the Bee Gees' songs from 1967 to 1972, the single was released by Polydor in most parts of the world while in the US and Canada it was released by Atco. In Canada it was also released by Atlantic and Cotillion. Gibb did not release a follow-up single until 1984 when he released "Hold Her in Your Hand".

References

  1. ↑ David N. Meyer (2013-07-09). The Bee Gees: The Biography. ISBN   9780306821578 . Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1976" . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Molanphy, Chris (September 28, 2018). "The Nights on Broadway Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  4. ↑ Bruce Eder. "Main Course - Bee Gees | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  5. ↑ Bruce Eder (2003-01-21). "Bee Gees | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-04-07.
  6. 1 2 "Billboard: The Bee Gees 35 Years of Music". Billboard. March 24, 2001. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  7. ↑ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1975" . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Brennan, Joseph (2009). The Bee Gees - Tales of the Brothers Gibb. ISBN   9780857120045 . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 13, 1975. p. 16. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  10. ↑ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 13, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  11. ↑ "Billboard: Artists & Music". Billboard. November 14, 2001. p. 14. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Eder, Bruce. "Main Course - Bee Gees". Allmusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  13. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  14. ↑ "Bee Gees - Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)". ultratop.be. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  15. ↑ https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4092&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=1m15rp5i6cihkh5s9eg6mv0dp5 [ dead link ]
  16. ↑ "Bee Gees - Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)". officialcharts.de. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Bee Gees - Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)". charts.nz. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  18. ↑ R. Serge Denisoff, William D. Romanowski (2011-12-31). Risky Business: Rock in Film. ISBN   9781412833370 . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  19. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 26.
  20. ↑ "Cashbox Top 100". Cashbox Archives. March 6, 1976. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  21. 1 2 "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  22. ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 26, No. 14 & 15, January 08 1977". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
  23. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 Charts". Billboard. December 25, 1976. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Cashbox Top 100". Cashbox Archives. April 17, 1976. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.