For Whom the Bell Tolls (Bee Gees song)

Last updated

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
For Whom the Bell Tolls (Bee Gees song).jpg
Single by Bee Gees
from the album Size Isn't Everything
B-side "Decadance"
Released15 November 1993 (1993-11-15)
Length
  • 5:06(album)
  • 3:56 (single edit)
Label Polydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Bee Gees [1]
Bee Gees singles chronology
"Paying the Price of Love"
(1993)
"For Whom the Bell Tolls"
(1993)
"How to Fall in Love, Part 1"
(1994)
Music video
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" on YouTube

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" is a song by the Bee Gees, released on 15 November 1993 by Polydor Records as the second single from their 20th studio album, Size Isn't Everything (1993). It was both written and produced by the brothers, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. This song would be the band's highest-charting single in the UK during the 1990s, giving them a UK top-five single in four consecutive decades: the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. A music video, filmed in New York, was also released for this song.

Contents

Critical reception

Alan Jones from Music Week gave the song three out of five, complimenting it as a "pleasant ballad". [2]

Commercial performance

"For Whom the Bell Tolls" made its debut on the UK Singles Chart at number 38 on 27 November. The song continued to climb the chart, entering the top 10 on 11 December. The song reached a peak of number 4 on Christmas Day 1993, where it remained for two consecutive weeks. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" spent six weeks within the UK top 10 and 14 weeks in the top 100. [3] In terms of its length of stay on the chart and its peak position, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" was the bands most successful single since their 1987 number one "You Win Again".

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [27] Silver200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United Kingdom15 November 1993
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
Polydor [28]
Japan20 December 1993Mini-CD [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Rain</span> 1993 single by Blind Melon

"No Rain" is a song by American rock band Blind Melon. It was released in 1993 as the second single from the band's debut album Blind Melon. The song is well known for its accompanying music video, which features the "Bee Girl" character. The music video, directed by Samuel Bayer, received heavy airplay on MTV at the time of its release. It subsequently helped propel Blind Melon to a multi-platinum level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Best Things in Life Are Free</span> 1992 single by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson

"The Best Things in Life Are Free" is a duet between American singers Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, recorded for the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produced soundtrack to the 1992 American film Mo' Money, starring Damon Wayans. The song was composed by Jam, Lewis, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch. The song was released as the soundtrack's lead single on May 12, 1992, by Perspective Records and A&M Records. Additionally, the song was remixed by David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, and CJ Mackintosh. The duet became a major hit in several countries, peaking at number two in Australia and the United Kingdom, number six in Ireland and New Zealand, number eight in Canada and Germany, and number 10 in the United States. Its music video was directed by Paris Barclay, but didn't feature Vandross and Jackson. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know Where It's At</span> 1997 single by All Saints

"I Know Where It's At" is a song by English girl group All Saints, released in August 1997 as their debut single from their first album, All Saints (1997). The song debuted on the National Lottery Live on 9 August 1997 and was first performed on Top of the Pops on 2 September same year. It became the group's first top-10 hit, peaking at number four on the UK Singles Chart. In the US, the single reached to number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song additionally reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Israel and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tragedy (Bee Gees song)</span> 1979 song by the Bee Gees

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'd Die Without You</span> 1992 single by P.M. Dawn

"I'd Die Without You" is a song by American R&B duo P.M. Dawn, first appearing on the soundtrack of the 1992 film Boomerang, starring Eddie Murphy, and was one of several songs to chart from the album. Later, the song was released on the duo's second album, The Bliss Album...? (1993), as well as on their 2000 greatest hits collection, The Best of P.M. Dawn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Words (Bee Gees song)</span> 1968 song by the Bee Gees

"Words" is a song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. The song reached No. 1 in Germany, Canada, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anything but Down</span> 1999 single by Sheryl Crow

"Anything but Down" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. Released as the third single from her third studio album, The Globe Sessions (1998), it fared better than its predecessor "There Goes the Neighborhood" in the United States, reaching number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Triple-A chart. The song also reached number 11 in Canada and number 19 in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alone (Bee Gees song)</span> 1997 single by Bee Gees

"Alone" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. The ballad, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, is the opening track on their 21st studio album, Still Waters (1997), and was the first single released from the album on 17 February 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was backed with two B-sides: "Closer Than Close" and "Rings Around the Moon", while in the United States, a live version of "Stayin' Alive" was included on the single releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think I Love You</span> Original song written and composed by Tony Romeo

"I Think I Love You" is a song by Tony Romeo, written as the debut single for fictional musical TV family the Partridge Family, released in August 1970, a month prior to the debut of the ABC-TV musical sitcom The Partridge Family starring Shirley Jones and featuring David Cassidy, both of whom appear on the record, with Cassidy as lead vocalist. The single topped Billboard's Hot 100 for three weeks in November and December 1970 and later was certified by NARM as the best-selling single of 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little Respect</span> 1988 single by Erasure

"A Little Respect" is a song written and recorded by British synth-pop duo Erasure, released in September 1988 by Mute. It was written by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell. The lyrics are a plea to a lover to show compassion and respect. The heavily synthesized instrumentation is accentuated by acoustic guitar and Bell's vocal falsetto in the chorus. It was their tenth single and was taken from their third studio album, The Innocents (1988). Known as one of their signature songs, the single reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and was Erasure's second consecutive top-20 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it made number 14, and reached number two on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secret Love (Bee Gees song)</span> 1991 single by Bee Gees

"Secret Love" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. It was released as the lead single from their 19th studio album, High Civilization (1991), on 18 February 1991 by Warner Bros. Records. It is an up-tempo song with a Supremes style similar to the 1986 Diana Ross hit "Chain Reaction", which was also written by the Bee Gees. The single reached the top 10 in several European countries, but was not released as a single in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Matter What (Boyzone song)</span> 1998 single by Boyzone

"No Matter What" is a song from the 1996 musical Whistle Down the Wind that was popularised by Irish boyband Boyzone in 1998 when they recorded it to tie in with the show's first UK production. The song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman, while Lloyd Webber, Steinman and Nigel Wright produced the track, with additional production by Franglen & Lupino. The song was also featured on the US edition of the soundtrack to the 1999 film Notting Hill, and was released to American radio on 10 May 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifted (Lighthouse Family song)</span> 1995 single by Lighthouse Family

"Lifted" is a song written by British musical duo Lighthouse Family for their 1995 debut album, Ocean Drive. The track was produced by Mike Peden and was released as the album's lead single on 8 May 1995, reaching the top 75 in the UK. In January 1996, "Lifted" was re-released, reaching a new peak of number four in the UK and entering the top 40 in Austria, Iceland, and Ireland, as well as on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. In the UK, it was the most-played single on radio during the first quarter of 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paying the Price of Love</span> 1993 single by Bee Gees

"Paying the Price of Love" is the first single from the Bee Gees' 20th studio album, Size Isn't Everything (1993). The song was released in August 1993 by Polydor, reaching the top-10 in Belgium and Portugal, and the top-40 in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 74, and peaked within the top-30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The promotional video for the song, directed by Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom, shows the brothers performing the song as holograms on a futuristic version of MTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Looking Through Patient Eyes</span> 1993 single by P.M. Dawn

"Looking Through Patient Eyes" is a song by American hip hop and R&B group P.M. Dawn. It was released on March 1, 1993 by Gee Street, as the second single from their second studio album, The Bliss Album...? (1993). The song, written by P.M. Dawn's Attrell Cordes, features backing vocals by Cathy Dennis and samples "Father Figure" by George Michael. The line "Joni help me, I think I'm falling" is a reference to Canadian singer Joni Mitchell's song "Help Me"; she is also referenced in the group's previous single "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">More Than a Woman (Bee Gees song)</span> 1977 song by the Bee Gees

"More Than a Woman" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb for the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever. It became a regular feature of the group's live sets from 1977 until Maurice Gibb's death in 2003 and was often coupled with "Night Fever".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run Baby Run (Sheryl Crow song)</span> 1993 song by Sheryl Crowl

"Run Baby Run" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow from her first album, Tuesday Night Music Club (1993), released by A&M Records in September 1993 as her debut single. It failed to chart in the United States but peaked at No. 86 in Canada, No. 83 in the United Kingdom, and No. 45 in the Netherlands. "Run Baby Run" was released for a third time in the UK after the success of "All I Wanna Do" and "Strong Enough", reaching a new peak of No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1995.

"I Love the Way You Love Me" is a song recorded by American country music singer John Michael Montgomery from his debut album, Life's a Dance (1992). It was written by Victoria Shaw and Chuck Cannon, and released in March 1993 as the album's second single. The song reached the top of the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It became Montgomery's first number-one single and was named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is Where I Came In (song)</span> 2001 single by Bee Gees

"This Is Where I Came In" is the final single released by musical group the Bee Gees, released as the only single from their last album of the same name on 26 March 2001. The song was written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. Lead vocals are performed by Robin Gibb on the first verse and on the chorus, while Barry Gibb sang lead on the second verse and sings harmony on the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling in Love Again (Eagle-Eye Cherry song)</span> 1998 single by Eagle-Eye Cherry

"Falling in Love Again" is the sixth track on Swedish singer Eagle-Eye Cherry's debut studio album, Desireless (1997). It was released as the album's third single in 1998 in Europe. Following the success of "Save Tonight", it was given a North American radio release in February 1999. The song reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart and peaked inside the top 50 in France, Iceland, and Ireland. Although the song charted in Canada and its music video received rotation on VH1, it did not appear on any US Billboard charts. The song's music video was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bee Gees – For Whom the Bell Tolls" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. Jones, Alan (20 November 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 14. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  3. for whom the bell tolls | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company
  4. For Whom the Bell Tolls (UK CD1 liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. PZCD 299, 859 961-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. For Whom the Bell Tolls (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. PZ 299, 859 961-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. For Whom the Bell Tolls (UK CD2 liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. PZDD 299, 859 959-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. For Whom the Bell Tolls (UK cassette single sleeve). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. POCS 299, 859 959-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Australasian CD single liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. 859959-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. For Whom the Bell Tolls (European CD single liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. 855 010-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Japanese mini-CD single liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. PODP-1089.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. For Whom the Bell Tolls (US CD single liner notes). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. 855 332-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. For Whom the Bell Tolls (US cassette single sleeve). Bee Gees. Polydor Records. 1993. 855 332-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2428." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  14. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2429." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 3. 15 January 1994. p. 15. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  16. "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 11, no. 4. 22 January 1994. p. 21. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  17. "Bee Gees – For Whom the Bell Tolls" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  18. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (23.–29.12.'93)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 23 December 1993. p. 38. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  19. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – For Whom the Bell Tolls". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  20. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 8, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  21. "Bee Gees – For Whom the Bell Tolls" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  23. "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week . 15 January 1994. p. 32. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  24. "Bee Gees Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  25. "Bee Gees Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  26. "Top 100 Singles 1993". Music Week . 15 January 1994. p. 24.
  27. "British single certifications – Bee Gees – For Whom the Bell Tolls". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  28. "Single Releases". Music Week . 13 November 1993. p. 25.
  29. "誰がために鐘は鳴る | ビージーズ" [For Whom the Bell Tolls | Bee Gees] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved 6 November 2023.