"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 released from the album. The song reached number 12 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two in Canada. Maurice Gibb said that producer Quincy Jones considered "Fanny" one of his favorite R&B songs of all time.

Inspiration and recording

The song was written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb. In a 2001 Billboard magazine interview with the Bee Gees, Barry said that recording for "Fanny" happened on January 30, the same day as "Jive Talkin'," "Songbird," and "All This Making Love." More recording took place on February 17 or 19, when Barry began singing "Fanny" using his falsetto voice. The song includes a quieter part that contrasts, similar to "Nights on Broadway." The use of falsetto and natural harmonies became a signature style of the Bee Gees, leading up to their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown. The final key of the song was chosen by keyboardist Blue Weaver. Weaver said he was influenced by Hall & Oates' 1973 album Abandoned Luncheonette, explaining, "The key change in 'Fanny (Be Tender)' was a direct copy from Abandoned Luncheonette's song 'She's Gone' [also produced by Mardin]. I only had a recording of it, and I didn't know that Arif produced it."

Critical reception

Cash Box described the song as an "emotional composition" and called it the third very successful single in a row from the Main Course album. Record World noted that the Brothers Gibb returned to their "beautiful harmony sound." Billboard mentioned that the group changed from the disco style of their previous two songs to a ballad format and created a strong example of their special way of singing together. The magazine also said this change worked well. Rolling Stone critic Stephen Holden wrote that the song features complex disco arrangements with the Bee Gees adding multiple layers of singing that imitate a specific type of high-pitched vocal style.

The group did not perform "Fanny" live because of the many layers of harmonies used in the studio recording. A promotional film for the song was recorded at the same location as the song "Jive Talkin'."

In an interview with Billboard magazine on November 14, 2001, Maurice Gibb said, "We all love that one, but it's just difficult to sing." Bruce Eder of Allmusic described "Fanny" and "Baby As You Turn Away" as having the same beautifully sung romantic feeling as "Lonely Days" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart."