About the song
“Tragedy” is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. Released in 1979, this iconic song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, has become an integral part of music history. The song’s success was immediate, reaching number one in the UK in February 1979 and repeating the feat on the US Billboard Hot 100 the following month. The song’s enduring popularity is evident in its numerous covers and references in popular culture, including a 1998 cover by British pop group Steps and a 2024 appearance in the trailer for the movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
The song’s origin is a fascinating story of creative genius. Written in an afternoon off from filming the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band movie, the Gibb brothers also penned “Too Much Heaven” and “Shadow Dancing” in the same evening. The song’s explosive climax, featuring a distinctive sound effect, has been the subject of much interest and speculation. According to co-producer Karl Richardson, the sound was achieved by processing a raw recording of Barry Gibb blowing through his cupped hands, using a product generator to create harmonics and products.
“Tragedy” has become an integral part of the Bee Gees’ legacy, with its inclusion in the West End version of the Saturday Night Fever musical and its impact on the US charts, where it became the fifth of six consecutive number-ones, tying the record with Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles. The song’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its intensity, hooks, harmonies, and arrangement. With its timeless appeal and enduring popularity, “Tragedy” remains a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
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Lyrics
Here I lie, in a lost and lonely part of town
Held in time, in a world of tears I slowly drown
Goin’ home, I just can’t make it all alone
I really should be holding you, holding you
Loving you, loving you
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Night and day, there’s a burning down inside of me
Oh, oh
Burning love, with a yearning that won’t let me be
Down I go and I just can’t take it all alone
I really should be holding you, holding you
Loving you, loving you
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Aaah
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Ah, ah
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and your heart just dies
It’s hard to bear
With no-one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Ahh!
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one to love you you’re goin’ nowhere
Ahh
Tragedy
When you lose control and you got no soul
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and your heart just dies
It’s hard to bear
With no-one beside you, you’re goin’ nowhere
Ahh!
Tragedy
When the feeling’s gone and you can’t go on
It’s tragedy
When the morning cries and you don’t know why
It’s hard to bear
With no-one to love you, you’re goin’ nowhere