Introduction
The Bee Gees Take a Chance with “Living Eyes”
“Living Eyes,” the title track from the Bee Gees’ sixteenth studio album, arrived in 1981 amidst a changing musical landscape. Disco, which had propelled the brothers Gibb to superstardom with “Saturday Night Fever,” was starting to wane.
This time around, the Bee Gees opted for a new approach. Deciding to move away from the disco sound and the touring band they’d used in the late 70s, Barry Gibb envisioned a different direction. He believed he could achieve the desired sound with the help of top-tier session musicians. This fresh crew included Don Felder (Eagles), Jeff Porcaro (Toto, Steely Dan), and Steve Gadd (James Taylor, Chick Corea).
The resulting album, “Living Eyes,” marked a shift for the Bee Gees. Gone were the prominent falsettos characteristic of their disco era. “Living Eyes” embraced a more stripped-down rock sound with prominent use of piano and strong vocals. The title track itself, a power ballad penned by all three brothers, showcased this new direction.
“Living Eyes” wasn’t a commercial success. Released in October 1981, it coincided with the closure of their label, RSO Records, and the public’s cooling on disco. However, the album holds a unique place in history. “Living Eyes” was chosen to be one of the first CDs ever manufactured for a 1981 BBC program demonstrating the then-new compact disc technology.
While “Living Eyes” the song and album didn’t top the charts, it did represent the Bee Gees’ willingness to evolve and experiment. The critical and commercial setbacks they faced led them to explore writing and producing for other artists, ultimately resulting in career-defining work with artists like Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, and Diana Ross. Though commercially unsuccessful, “Living Eyes” serves as a testament to the Bee Gees’ artistic spirit and their ability to adapt to a changing musical landscape.