"Tragedy" is a song by the Bee Gees, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. It was included on their 15th album, Spirits Having Flown (1979). The single was released in February 1979 by RSO Records. It reached number one on multiple charts, including the UK in February 1979 and again the next month on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1998, the British pop group Steps released a cover version of the song, which also reached number one in the UK. Both the original and the cover version reached number one in New Zealand. In 2024, the song was used in the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and its trailer.
Origin
Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb wrote this song and "Too Much Heaven" during a break from filming the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, where they were actors. That same evening, they also wrote "Shadow Dancing," which was performed by Andy Gibb and reached number one in the United States.
The explosion sound effect at the song's climax has drawn a lot of attention. In 2019, co-producer Karl Richardson explained to writer Grant Walters of Albumism how they created the sound. They used the original recording of Barry Gibb cupping his hands over a studio microphone and blowing air into it to make it sound like a real "boom."
Staged footage of the recording session for the explosion effect was filmed at Criteria Studios in the summer of 1979 for a Bee Gees special that aired on NBC later that year. The actual recording sessions for the song happened in 1978.
Although "Tragedy" was not originally part of Saturday Night Fever, it was later added to the musical score of the West End version of the movie-musical. The song replaced "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor at the top of the US charts for two weeks before "I Will Survive" returned to number one for another week. "Tragedy" was the second single released from the album to interrupt a song's stay at number one.
In the United States, "Tragedy" became the fifth of six songs that reached number one in a row, tying the record with Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, and the Beatles for the most consecutive number-one songs in the US. This record was later broken by Whitney Houston, who had seven consecutive number-one songs.
On November 1, 2024, an animated music video for the song was released on the Bee Gees' official YouTube channel.
Reception
American magazine Billboard noted that the song shared a similar energy with "Stayin' Alive" and included many catchy vocal and instrumental parts, as well as smooth harmonies. Cash Box magazine described the song as having a bright and lively arrangement with synthesizers, guitars, horns, a strong beat, and powerful vocals. Record World called the song exciting and fast-paced, with traditional musical patterns, high harmonies, and a background of synthesizer sounds.
Steps version
"Tragedy" was released by the British pop group Steps as a double A-side with "Heartbeat." It came out on November 9, 1998, by Jive Records and Ebul. The song was recorded for the Bee Gees Tribute Album: Gotta Get a Message to You, produced by Andrew Frampton and Pete Waterman. It later appeared on the group's second album, Steptacular (1999). "Heartbeat"/"Tragedy" reached number one in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. In the UK, it stayed on the UK Singles Chart for 30 weeks and sold 1.21 million copies, more than all three of Steps' previous singles combined. The music video for "Tragedy," directed by David Amphlett, included a dance move where the performers put both hands parallel to the sides of their heads when the word "tragedy" was said. This became a signature move for the group. In 2023, the Official Charts Company ranked it the 87th best-selling single of all time on the Official UK Chart.
The Aberdeen Evening Express said Steps did a great remake of the song, calling it a "discotastic start" to Steptacular. AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien called it a "triumphant cover." Later, Lucas Villa from AXS wrote that the performances by group members Claire, Faye, and Lisa, along with the iconic hands dance, made "Tragedy" a popular dance floor song. The Daily Record noted that Steps created a catchy tune and inspired fans to copy the band's dance moves. In 2003, music journalist Paul Morley listed Steps' version of the song as one of the "Greatest Pop Singles of All Time."
The music video for "Tragedy" was directed by David Amphlett. It begins with a Doraemon-shaped alarm clock ringing, followed by Faye, Claire, and Lisa getting married. The male members of the group, Lee and H, disrupt all three weddings before the group goes to a disco. The church and disco scenes were filmed at All Saints' Church, Harrow Weald, London, and Blackwell Hall, respectively. External shots of the boys leaving their house and driving were filmed in Blackheath, South London. The group's real families participated in the video, with the girls' fathers walking them down the aisle. Record producer Pete Waterman appeared as the wedding DJ.
UK and Australian CD single
1. "Heartbeat" – 4:24
2. "Tragedy" – 4:31
3. "Heartbeat" (instrumental) – 4:24
UK cassette single and European CD single
1. "Heartbeat" – 4:24
2. "Tragedy" – 4:31
US CD and cassette single
1. "Tragedy" (LP version) – 4:30
2. "Stay with Me" – 4:04
Credits (adapted from the liner notes of Steptacular)
– Recorded at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
– Also recorded at The Workhouse Studios and Sarm East (London, England)
– Mixed at PWL Studios (London and Manchester, England)
– Mastered at Transfermation (London, England)
– Songwriting – Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb
– Production – Mark Topham, Karl Twigg, Pete Waterman
– Mixing – Dan Frampton, Paul Waterman
– Engineering – Chris McDonnell
– Drums – Chris McDonnell
– Keyboards – Karl Twigg
– Guitar – Mark Topham
– Bass – Mark Topham
Foo Fighters version
In 2021, the American rock band Foo Fighters used the name "Dee Gees" to perform a cover of a song on their album Hail Satin.