Produced by Arif Mardin, Mr Natural is a transitional album that links the distinct phases of the Bee Gees’ career. While it still majored in ballads, Mardin encouraged the Gibbs’ love of rhythm and blues, hence the appealingly gentle funk of Dogs. It was unlike anything they had recorded before – and a signpost to the future. 29. I Started a Joke (1968)

Fraternal relations were fraught during the recording of Odessa, something the lyrics of Barry Gibb’s splendidly morose First of May may allude to, happy childhood memories contrasting with latter-day estrangement. If they do, it’s ironic that the song in effect split the Bee Gees, Robin quitting in protest at its release as a single. 27. One (1989) The Bee Gees understood that much of the best disco has a tension at its heart – uplifting music chafing against emotionally wrenching lyrics. If I Can’t Have You is an utterly downcast tale of unrequited love that feels completely euphoric. Yvonne Elliman’s cover is definitive, but the original is fantastic too. 13. I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You (1968) This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. January 1980/7502/ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2013.Find sources: "Greatest"Bee Gees album– news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( November 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Nights on Broadway introduced the world to Barry’s trademark falsetto, a response to Mardin’s request for him to “scream in tune”. It’s also an amazing song, best heard in its full-length album version, complete with a slow section that underlines how disconsolate the lyrics that lurk behind the buoyant music are. 7. Run to Me (1972) The Bee Gees in 1967, with Vince Melouney (far left) and Colin Peterson (second right). Photograph: Pictorial Press/Alamy 21. Charade (1974) Photography By [Booklet] – Anton Corbijn, David Vance (2), Ed Caraeff, Gibb Family Collection, Randee St Nicholas* British album certifications – Bee Gees – Bee Gees Greatest". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 12 March 2013. Incidentally "Boogie Child" reached slightly higher on the Billboard Hot 100 than Yvonne Elliman's version of "Love Me" (#14), while Melba Moore's and Wayne Newton's recordings of "You Stepped Into My Life" only peaked at 47 and 90, respectively, in 1979.The failure of 1973’s Life in a Tin Can and their record label’s rejection of its mooted follow-up seemed to shake the Bee Gees into upping their game. The opener of Mr Natural is wonderful, dressing their trademark ballad style in a warm, pillowy, jazzy arrangement. 20. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? (1971) Written for Odessa, but later used as the theme for the 1971 movie Melody, Melody Fair encapsulates the two competing impulses within the 60s Bee Gees. It starts out as parent-friendly MOR pop, then suddenly, thrillingly, dives into a heavy-lidded, stoned-sounding, Lennon-y chorus. 23. You Stepped into My Life (1976) Greatest topped the Billboard album charts early in 1980, becoming their third consecutive number one album. The re-issue of Bee Gees Greatest debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Pop Catalog charts for the week of 30 September 2007. There was some question as to whether Billboard was going to treat this as a new release or a re-issue. The set scanned over 20,000 copies for the week, making it the 35th best selling album in the country, good enough to place in Billboard's Top 40. The 2020 documentary How Can You Mend a Broken Heart featured a clip of the Bee Gees writing How Deep Is Your Love, pulling its implausibly beautiful melody out of thin air. The lyrical paranoia – “a world of fools breaking us down” – offers a distinctly odd, and thus very Bee Gees, counterpoint. 3. Jive Talkin’ (1975) Greatest was released on CD as a two disc set, but has since has been deleted domestically with the release of The Record.