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When the Swallows Fly
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Wikipedia article
"'When the Swallows Fly'" is a song by the Bee Gees released on their fifth album 'Idea'. Its promotional video was filmed in Brussels and included on the TV special 'Idea' and was aired on 11 December 1968.
Background
The song's opening line echoed William Wordsworth's poem"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud". It was recorded on June 18th 1968 at the same session as "No Name". Robin said "It was one of my favorites, I think Barry's vocal on that is fantastic". Barry recalls: "['When the Swallows Fly'] that's something I brought in, but I don't remember how the song came about. It was probably written in Eaton Square or at the penthouse. A lot of the ballads in those days were written that way, like 'Words'.
Chart performance
In 1971, when it was included on the 'Melody' film soundtrack, it was released as a single only in Netherlands with "Give Your Best" as the B-side. It reached #20 in two weeks
Weekly charts
Personnel
* Barry Gibb lead vocals, guitar
* Maurice Gibb bass, piano, organ, mellotron, backing vocals
* Colin Petersen drums
* Robin Gibb backing vocals
* Vince Melouney acoustic guitar
References
Category:Bee Gees songs
Category:Songs written by Barry Gibb
Category:Songs written by Robin Gibb
Category:Songs written by Maurice Gibb
Category:Song recordings produced by Robert Stigwood
Category:Song recordings produced by Barry Gibb
Category:Song recordings produced by Robin Gibb
Category:Song recordings produced by Maurice Gibb
Category:1968 songs
Category:1971 singles
Category:Polydor Records singles
Category:Rock ballads
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