I Started a Joke

Last updated

"I Started a Joke"
Istartedajoke.jpg
Standard continental European artwork
Single by the Bee Gees
from the album Idea
B-side
Released21 December 1968 [1]
Recorded20 June 1968
Studio IBC Studios, London
Genre Pop, [2] soft rock [3]
Length3:05
Label Polydor (United Kingdom)
Atco (United States)
Songwriter(s) Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb
Producer(s) Robert Stigwood, Bee Gees
The Bee Gees singles chronology
"I've Gotta Get a Message to You"
(1968)		"I Started a Joke"
(1968)		"First of May"
(1969)

"I Started a Joke" is a song by the Bee Gees from their 1968 album Idea, which was released as a single in December of that year. It was not released as a single in the United Kingdom, where buyers who could not afford the album had to content themselves with a Polydor version by Heath Hampstead. This is the last Bee Gees single to feature Vince Melouney's guitar work, as he left the band in early December after this song was released as a single.

Contents

The song's B-side was "Kilburn Towers", except in France, where "Swan Song" was used. "I Started a Joke" was written by Robin mainly, with help from Barry and Maurice Gibb on the bridge. It was produced by the Bee Gees with Robert Stigwood.

Composition and recording

Songs for the Idea album were completed on 20 June. "I Started A Joke" was the last to be recorded. [4]

According to Robin Gibb, the melancholic melody of the song was inspired by the sounds on board an aeroplane:

The melody to this one was heard aboard a British Airways Vickers Viscount about a hundred miles from Essen. It was one of those old four engine "prop" jobs, that seemed to drone the passenger into a sort of hypnotic trance, only with this it was different. The droning, after a while, appeared to take the form of a tune, which mysteriously sounded like a church choir. So it was decided! We accosted the pilot, forced him to land in the nearest village and there, in a small pub, we finished the lyrics [with Barry]. Actually, it wasn't a village, it was the city, and it wasn't a pub, it was a hotel, and we didn't force the pilot to land in a field ... but why ruin a perfectly good story? [5]

"There was a lot of that in those days" Barry laughed, "There was a lot of psychedelia and the idea that if you wrote something, even if it sounded ridiculous, somebody would find the meaning for it, and that was the truth". [6]

Structure and release

The song was originally recorded in the key of G major and has two contrasting sections. The verse sections consist of a cycle of G Bm C and D chords. The chords for the bridge section are Em Bm C G Bm Em Am D.

The promotional video for "I Started a Joke" was directed by Jean-Christophe Averty. It was filmed in Brussels as part of the Idea TV Special and features floating question marks on the song while Robin sings. In the video, Maurice is shown playing a Rickenbacker 4001 and Vince Melouney playing a Gibson ES-335. [6]

The song reached #1 in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. In Canada, it spent two weeks as the number one in RPM charts. "I Started a Joke" debuted at #66 at the United States Cashbox magazine in the week of 14 December 1968. [7]

Robin Gibb's son played "I Started a Joke" on his phone just after his father died on 20 May 2012. Robin-John Gibb told The Sun:

When he passed away we went out, they took the equipment away and we came back in, I picked up my phone and found "I Started a Joke" on YouTube and played it. I put the phone on his chest and that was the first time I broke down. I knew that song and its lyrics were perfect for that moment. That song will always have new meaning to me now. [8]

Cash Box described it as being in the Bee Gees' "softer" style, saying it was more in the style of "Words" than "Gotta Get a Message to You," and said that the "paradoxical imagery offers magnetic charm to mystical interpretation." [9]

Charts

Faith No More version

"I Started a Joke"
Faith No More - I Started a Joke (CD1).jpg
One of artwork variants
Single by Faith No More
from the album Who Cares a Lot?
Released21 September 1998
RecordedEarly 1995
Length3:03
Label Slash
Songwriter(s) Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Producer(s) Billy Gould
Dean Menta
Faith No More singles chronology
"This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us"
(1998)		"I Started a Joke"
(1998)		"Motherfucker"
(2014)

Faith No More originally covered "I Started a Joke" as a B-side for their 1995 single "Digging the Grave". It also appeared on some versions of their fifth studio album King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime but following the band's dissolution in 1998 it was released as a single with their greatest hits album Who Cares a Lot? . The music video was filmed on 8 September 1998, [23] after Faith No More had disbanded five months earlier and featured none of the band members. It was directed by Vito Rocco, filmed by Nick Sawyer with make-up by Julie Nightingale and Dani Richardson with Gabi Norland as the clapper loader. British actors Martin Freeman and Shaun Dingwall both feature in the promo, along with performance artist David Hoyle as the karaoke singer, and also stars Michelle Butterly of the ITV series, Benidorm. Derren Litten, the writer of Benidorm and a contributor to The Catherine Tate Show, is also seen in the video. [23]

Track listing

Disc one

  1. "I Started a Joke" – 3:03
  2. "The World Is Yours" – 5:52
  3. "Midnight Cowboy" (Live) – 1:01

Disc two

  1. "I Started a Joke" – 3:03
  2. "This Guy's in Love with You" (Live) – 4:20
  3. "We Care a Lot" (Live) – 3:55

Live tracks recorded on 21 October 1997 at the Horden Pavilion, Sydney, Australia by MTV Australia.

Charts

Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [24] 58
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [25] 38
UK Singles (OCC) [26] 49

Other notable cover versions

Parodies

"I Started a Joke" was parodied by a Radio Free Vestibule sketch in which a voiced-over commentary takes the lyrics completely literally, appeared on the film Zoolander as covered by The Wallflowers. The song "I Started a Joke" was featured heavily in the ending of the film Penn & Teller Get Killed , [29] which features the two magicians playing a succession of increasingly elaborate practical jokes on each other with a fatal conclusion.

Related Research Articles

<i>Best of Bee Gees</i> 1969 compilation album by Bee Gees

Best of Bee Gees is a 1969 compilation album by the English-Australian rock band Bee Gees. It was their first international greatest hits album. It featured their singles from 1966–1969 with the exception of the band's 1968 single "Jumbo".

<i>Odessa</i> (Bee Gees album) 1969 studio album by the Bee Gees

Odessa is the sixth studio album by the Bee Gees, a double vinyl LP released in February 1969, initially in an opulent red flocked cover with gold lettering. Despite reaching the UK Top Ten and the US Top 20, the album was not particularly well-received, though now is regarded by many as the most significant of the group's Sixties albums. An ambitious project, originally intended as a concept album on the loss of a fictional ship in 1899, it created tension and disagreements in the band regarding the work's direction; finally, a dispute over which song to release as a single led to Robin Gibb temporarily leaving the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Much Heaven</span> 1978 single by Bee Gees

"Too Much Heaven" is a song by the Bee Gees, which was the band's contribution to the "Music for UNICEF" fund. They performed it at the Music for UNICEF Concert on 9 January 1979. The song later found its way to the group's thirteenth original album, Spirits Having Flown. It hit No. 1 in both the US and Canada. In the United States, the song was the first single out of three from the album to interrupt a song's stay at #1. "Too Much Heaven" knocked "Le Freak" off the top spot for two weeks before "Le Freak" returned to #1 again. "Too Much Heaven" also rose to the top three in the UK. In the US, it would become the fourth of six consecutive No. 1s, equalling the record set by Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles for the most consecutive No. 1 songs. The six Bee Gee songs are "How Deep Is Your Love", "Stayin' Alive", "Night Fever", "Too Much Heaven", "Tragedy" and "Love You Inside Out". The songs spanned the years of 1977, 1978 and 1979.

<i>Horizontal</i> (album) 1968 studio album by the Bee Gees

Horizontal is the fourth studio album by the Bee Gees, and their second album to receive an international release. The LP was released in early 1968, and included the international hit singles "Massachusetts" and "World". On 5 February 2007, Reprise Records reissued Horizontal with both stereo and mono mixes on one disc and a bonus disc of unreleased songs, non-album tracks, and alternate takes. The album was released in Polydor in many countries and on Atco only in the US and Canada. "And the Sun Will Shine" was released as a single only in France. The influences displayed on the album range from the Beatles to baroque pop.

<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.

<i>Idea</i> (album) 1968 studio album by the Bee Gees

Idea is the fifth album by the Bee Gees. Released in September 1968, the album sold over a million copies worldwide. The album was issued in both mono and stereo pressings in the UK. The artwork on the Polydor release designed by Wolfgang Heilemann featured a "beehive" neon lightbulb with a group photo in its base, while the North American ATCO release designed by Klaus Voormann featured a composite head made from each band member. It was their third internationally released album – the first two albums being released only in the Australian market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts (Bee Gees song)</span> 1967 single by Bee Gees

"(The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts" is a song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb and released in 1967. Robin Gibb sang lead vocals on this song and it would become one of his staple songs to perform during both Bee Gees concerts and his solo appearances. It later appeared on their 1968 album, Horizontal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I've Gotta Get a Message to You</span> 1968 song by the Bee Gees

"I've Gotta Get a Message to You" is a song by the Bee Gees. Released as a single in 1968, it was their second number-one hit in the UK Singles Chart, and their first US Top 10 hit. Barry Gibb re-recorded the song with Keith Urban for his 2021 album Greenfields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Can You Mend a Broken Heart</span> 1971 song by Barry and Robin Gibb

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is a song released by the Bee Gees in 1971. It was written by Barry and Robin Gibb and was the first single on the group's 1971 album Trafalgar. It was their first US No. 1 single and also reached No. 1 in Cashbox magazine for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lonely Days</span> 1970 single by Bee Gees

"Lonely Days" is a ballad written and performed by the Bee Gees. It appeared on their album 2 Years On, and was released as a single, becoming their first Top Five hit in the US, peaking at number three in the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one in the Cashbox and Record World charts. Barry Gibb later re-recorded the song with country quartet Little Big Town for his 2021 album Greenfields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday (Bee Gees song)</span> 1967 single by the Bee Gees

"Holiday" is a song released by the Bee Gees in the United States in September 1967. It appeared on the album Bee Gees' 1st. The song was not released as a single in their native United Kingdom because Polydor UK released the single "World" from their next album Horizontal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Love Somebody (song)</span> 1967 single by Bee Gees

"To Love Somebody" is a song written by Barry and Robin Gibb. Produced by Robert Stigwood, it was the second single released by the Bee Gees from their international debut album, Bee Gees 1st, in 1967. The single reached No. 17 in the United States and No. 41 in the United Kingdom. The song's B-side was "Close Another Door". The single was reissued in 1980 on RSO Records with "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" as its flipside. The song ranked at number 94 on NME magazine's "100 Best Tracks of the Sixties". It was a minor hit in the UK and France. It reached the top 20 in the US. It reached the top 10 in Canada.

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

"Jumbo" is a song released by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. It was released as a double A side with "The Singer Sang His Song" but featured as the lead track in some territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First of May (Bee Gees song)</span> 1969 single by The Bee Gees

"First of May" is a song by the Bee Gees with lead vocals by Barry Gibb, released as a single from their 1969 double album Odessa. Its B-side was "Lamplight". It also featured as the B-side of "Melody Fair" when that song was released as a single in the Far East in 1971 as well as in 1976 and 1980 on RSO Records. It was the first Bee Gees single to be released after lead guitarist Vince Melouney had left the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I.O.I.O.</span> 1970 single by Bee Gees

"I.O.I.O." is a song by the Bee Gees, released on the album Cucumber Castle. It was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. The song was released as a single in March 1970, and was also one of the highlights of the album. The single was a relative success mainly on European charts. Its music video is taken from the film Cucumber Castle.

<i>Bee Gees 1st</i> 1967 studio album by the Bee Gees

Bee Gees' 1st is the third studio album by the Bee Gees, and their first international full-length recording after two albums distributed only in Australia and New Zealand. Bee Gees' 1st was the group's debut album for the UK Polydor label, and for the US Atco label. Bee Gees 1st was released on 14 July 1967 in the UK. On 9 August it entered the UK charts; on that same day, the album was released in the US, and it entered the US charts on 26 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Natural (song)</span> 1974 single by Bee Gees

"Mr. Natural" is a song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry and Robin Gibb. On 29 March 1974, it was released as a single and also released on the album of the same name in 1974. It was backed with a folk rock number "It Doesn't Matter Much to Me". The group's first single which was produced by Arif Mardin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself</span> 1971 single by Bee Gees

"Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" is a ballad written and sung by Barry Gibb, and released on the Bee Gees' album Trafalgar in 1971, and the second single release taken from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run to Me (Bee Gees song)</span> 1972 single by Bee Gees

"Run to Me" is a song by the Bee Gees, the lead single from the group's album To Whom It May Concern (1972). The song reached the UK Top 10 and the US Top 20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)</span> 1976 single by Bee Gees

"Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)" is a song written and performed by the Bee Gees for their Main Course album in 1975. It was the third single release from the album, peaking at number 12 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and number two in Canada. According to Maurice Gibb, producer Quincy Jones called "Fanny" one of his favorite R&B songs of all time.

References

  1. ↑ "I Started a Joke / Kilburn Towers by Bee Gees (Single, Pop): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list - Rate Your Music". 8 April 2011.
  2. ↑ Dale, Jon (24 June 2015). "Robin Gibb – Saved By The Bell – The Collected Works Of Robin Gibb 1968-1970". Uncut . Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Covers Revue, Vol. 25 – The Wallflowers cover "I Started a Joke" :: Originally by the Bee Gees". www.entertheshell.com.
  4. ↑ Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1968". Columbia.
  5. ↑ Bee Gees Anthology, Milwaukee, WI: Hal Leonard, 1991, p. 188
  6. 1 2 Hughes, Andrew (2009). The Bee Gees – Tales of the Brothers Gibb. ISBN   9780857120045 . Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Cash Box Top Singles". Cashbox Magazine Archives. 14 December 1968. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  8. ↑ Songfacts.com. "Bee Gees - I Started a Joke".
  9. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 7 December 1968. p. 22. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 1" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "Bee Gees – I Started a Joke" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Bee Gees – I Started a Joke" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ↑ "Bee Gees – I Started a Joke" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  14. ↑ Aktuil (1968). "Aktuil Magazine 22".
  15. ↑ "Bee Gees – I Started a Joke" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  16. ↑ "Bee Gees – I Started a Joke". Swiss Singles Chart.
  17. ↑ "Bee Gees Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  18. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100". Cashbox Magazine Archives. 8 February 1969. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  19. ↑ "RPM Top Singles of 1969". Library and Archives Canada . RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  20. ↑ "Bee Gees - I Started A Joke". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "Bee Gees - I Started A Joke". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  22. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1969". tropicalglen.com. Cash Box. 27 December 1969. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  23. 1 2 "Faith No More - "I started a joke"". Mvdbase.com. 8 September 1998. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  24. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  25. ↑ "Faith No More – I Started a Joke". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  26. ↑ "Faith No More: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "How bleep is your love?". NME.com. 4 August 1998. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  28. ↑ Huber, Joachim (25 August 2016). "Böhmermann steckt in der Erdogan-Falle". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  29. ↑ D'Angelo, Mike (13 March 2013). "Two magic legends screw with viewers and each other in Penn & Teller Get Killed". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.