Introduction:
“Take Hold Of That Star” is a significant, albeit early, recording by the legendary group The Bee Gees. This song was released in July 1963 as the B-side to their single “Timber!” and later included on their debut studio album, The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs, which was released in November 1965 in Australia. While not one of their internationally recognized mega-hits, “Take Hold Of That Star” is a crucial piece of the Bee Gees’ formative years, showcasing the nascent songwriting talent of Barry Gibb and the early vocal harmonies that would later define their global sound. The song primarily falls into the Pop and Rock and Roll genres, reflecting the popular musical styles prevalent in Australia during the early 1960s. Its achievements are more historical than commercial, marking a foundational step in the career of one of the most successful musical acts of all time.
- Year Released (as single B-side): 1963 (July)
- Album: The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs
- Genre: Pop / Rock and Roll
The Bee Gees, comprised of brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, began their musical journey in the late 1950s in Australia, after their family emigrated from the Isle of Man. They started performing as the Rattlesnakes, then Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats, before settling on The Bee Gees. Their early years were spent honing their craft, performing in various venues, and gradually gaining local recognition. Barry Gibb, the eldest brother, quickly emerged as the primary songwriter, a role he would maintain throughout the group’s illustrious career. These early Australian recordings capture the raw talent and youthful energy of the brothers before their international breakthrough.
“Take Hold Of That Star” was written solely by Barry Gibb in 1963. The recording session for the song, along with “Timber!”, took place in June 1963 at Festival Studio in Sydney, Australia. These sessions were among the very first for the Bee Gees to be released on disc. The studio setup at the time was rudimentary, typically involving two-track tape recorders where instrumental backing was recorded live to one track, and vocals to the other, then mixed down to a mono master. Robert Iredale was the engineer and producer for these early sessions. He was known for his ingenuity with limited equipment and his often-impatient approach to rock and roll groups, favoring quick, efficient recordings. The Bee Gees themselves recall these sessions as brief, with little time for experimentation or editing. Barry sang the lead vocals on “Take Hold Of That Star,” with the then-thirteen-year-old twins, Robin and Maurice, providing backing harmonies. This period marks a transition in the brothers’ voices, as Robin and Maurice’s higher-pitched, “chirpy” vocals from earlier recordings were beginning to mature. The song features a simple arrangement, including a single violin, string bass, drums, and a lounge-style piano, creating a ballad sound that allowed Barry’s developing vocal prowess to shine through.
The lyrics of “Take Hold Of That Star” are characteristic of early 1960s pop ballads, focusing on themes of aspiration, hope, and perhaps a touch of romantic yearning. While not as complex or introspective as their later compositions, the song’s earnest message and melodic structure laid foundational groundwork for the sophisticated songwriting that would become their hallmark. It reflects a youthful optimism, encouraging the listener to pursue their dreams and seize opportunities, a sentiment common in pop music of the era.
Genre of Music:
“Take Hold Of That Star” is firmly rooted in the Pop and Rock and Roll genres of the early 1960s.
- Pop: The song features a clear, accessible melody, a conventional song structure, and a polished (for its time) production aimed at mainstream appeal. It embodies the innocent and romantic themes often found in early pop music.
- Rock and Roll: While a ballad, the song’s underlying rhythm and instrumentation align with the broader rock and roll sound that was evolving in the early 1960s, particularly in its Australian context.
- Doo-Wop/Beat: Given the era and the Bee Gees’ early influences, elements of doo-wop (in the harmonies) and the emerging beat music style can also be discerned, contributing to its overall early pop sound.
Achievements:
“Take Hold Of That Star” did not achieve significant international chart success at the time of its release, especially when compared to the Bee Gees’ later global dominance. However, its achievements are primarily historical and foundational:
- Early Recording Milestone: As a B-side from their 1963 single “Timber!”, “Take Hold Of That Star” represents one of the very first commercial recordings by the Bee Gees. It documents the nascent stages of their recording career in Australia, long before they became international superstars.
- Inclusion on Debut Album: Its inclusion on their first Australian studio album, The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs (1965), highlights its importance within their early discography. This album, though extremely rare in its original pressing, served as a compilation of their early Australian singles and showcased Barry Gibb’s prolific songwriting at a young age.
- Showcasing Barry Gibb’s Early Songwriting: The song is a testament to Barry Gibb’s precocious talent as a songwriter. Even at a young age, he was already crafting original material that possessed melodic strength and lyrical promise, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to pop music.
- Demonstrating Early Harmonies: “Take Hold Of That Star” provides an early glimpse into the distinctive vocal harmonies that would become a signature of the Bee Gees’ sound. While the twins’ voices were still developing, the blend was already evident, foreshadowing the intricate vocal arrangements that would later define their global hits.
- Historical Significance: For fans and music historians, “Take Hold Of That Star” holds significant historical value. It offers a rare insight into the Bee Gees’ musical origins and their evolution from a local Australian act to one of the world’s most influential and successful groups. It is a piece of the puzzle that explains their journey to becoming global icons, celebrated for their unparalleled songwriting and vocal prowess across multiple decades and genres.