Bee Gees – Massachusetts
About The Song
Released in 1967, ‘Massachusetts’ became the first of the Bee Gees five No.1 songs in the UK, reached No. 1 in 12 other countries, peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and eventually sold over five million copies worldwide.
The hauntingly beautiful song was reportedly written as an antithesis of flower power and was based on a protagonist who had gone to San Francisco at the height of the movement, and was now homesick for his home state of Massachusetts.
The Bee Gees were reportedly at odds as to how to song actually came about, with Barry Gibb telling author Andrew Sandoval that he and Robin both has totally different recollections.
“There are two different memories,” Barry recalled: “Robin remembers us doing it in a boat going around New York City.”
“And I remember us checking in at the St. Regis with Robert, going to the suite, and while the bags were being brought in we were so high on being in New York, that’s how ‘Massachusetts’ began.”
“I think we were strumming basically the whole thing, and then I think we went on a boat round New York. I don’t know if we finished it, but I think that’s where the memories collide.”
“Everybody wrote it. All three of us were there when the song was born.”
Video
Lyric
Feel I’m going back
To Massachusetts
Something’s telling me
I must go homeAnd the lights all went out down in Massachusetts
The day I left
Her standing on her ownTried to hitch a ride
To San Francisco
Gotta do the things
I wanna doAnd the lights all went down in Massachusetts
They brought me back
To see my way with youTalk about the life
In Massachusetts
Speak about the people
I have seenAnd the lights all went down in Massachusetts
And Massachusetts
Is one place I have seen(I will remember Massachusetts)
I will remember Massachusetts
(I will remember Massachusetts)
I will remember Massachusetts
(I will remember Massachusetts)
I will remember Massachusetts