introduction
“More Than a Woman” is a classic track by the Bee Gees, written by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The song was crafted specifically for the soundtrack of the iconic 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta. This collaboration played a pivotal role in cementing the Bee Gees’ association with the disco era and contributing to the film’s monumental success.en.wikipedia.org+1ew.com+1
The Bee Gees began recording “More Than a Woman” in February 1977 at Château d’Hérouville in France. They continued the process at Criteria Studios in Miami in April and finalized the track in September at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles. The recording featured Barry Gibb on vocals and guitar, Robin Gibb on vocals, Maurice Gibb on vocals and bass guitar, Alan Kendall on guitar, Dennis Bryon on drums, Blue Weaver on keyboards, and Joe Lala on percussion. The song’s distinctive disco rhythm was enhanced by the use of a drum loop, a technique also employed in their hit “Night Fever.” ew.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2udiscovermusic.com+2udiscovermusic.com
“More Than a Woman” holds a special place in Saturday Night Fever, providing the musical backdrop for a romantic dance scene between Travolta’s character, Tony Manero, and his partner. The song’s lyrics, expressing deep affection and commitment, resonated with audiences and complemented the film’s narrative of love and aspiration. udiscovermusic.com
Interestingly, the soundtrack features two versions of “More Than a Woman”: one by the Bee Gees and another by the American R&B group Tavares. While the Bee Gees’ rendition was not released as a single in the US or UK, Tavares’ version achieved commercial success, reaching number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. en.wikipedia.org+1udiscovermusic.com+1
The Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, released on November 15, 1977, became one of the best-selling albums in history, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was later added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. “More Than a Woman” contributed to this success and became a staple in the Bee Gees’ live performances until Maurice Gibb’s passing in 2003. udiscovermusic.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1
The song’s enduring appeal is evident through various cover versions. In 1998, British boy band 911 released their rendition, which peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. More recently, in 2021, British DJ SG Lewis remixed the track, introducing it to a new generation of listeners and sparking a resurgence in its popularity on platforms like TikTok. en.wikipedia.org+1udiscovermusic.com+1
In summary, “More Than a Woman” exemplifies the Bee Gees’ ability to craft timeless music that transcends decades. Its association with Saturday Night Fever and its lasting influence on popular culture underscore its significance in the disco era and beyond.
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