How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" is a song released by the Bee Gees in 1971. It was written mainly by Barry and Robin Gibb. It was the lead and first single on the group's 1971 LP Trafalgar. The B-side, a Maurice Gibb composition "Country Woman". It was their first US No. 1 single. The song also reached #1 in Cashbox magazine in two weeks.^[1] The song is also in American Hustle and on its soundtrack.

In the US, Atco Records issued both mono and stereo versions of the song on each side as a promo single.^[2]

Writing and recording

	"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" An excerpt from the first chorus
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Barry and Robin Gibb wrote the song in August 1970 with "Lonely Days" when the Gibb brothers had reconvened following a period of break-up and alienation. "Robin came to my place" says Barry, "and that afternoon we wrote 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' and that obviously was a link to us coming back together. We called Maurice, finished the song, went to the studio and once again, with only 'Broken Heart' as a basic structure, we went in to the studio with that and an idea for 'Lonely Days', and those two songs were recorded that night". They originally offered the song to Andy Williams, but ended up recording it themselves. Barry also explains, "We might imitate a certain group, later on, the group will pick up on the song and say that suits us."^[3] Maurice Gibb possibly had a hand in the writing of "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" although the song is officially credited to Barry and Robin Gibb. The 2009 release Ultimate Bee Gees officially credited Maurice for the first time as co-writer of the song, for both the "Ultimate" CD and DVD, and it was credited to the moniker Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb.^[4]

The song was recorded on 28 January 1971 in London same day as "We Lost the Road", "When Do I", "If I Were the Sky", "Bring Out the Thoughts in Me" and "Ellan Vannin".^[4] The group's later song "My World" followed along the same musical ideas on this song.^[3] Robin Gibb's remarked on the song, "The whole thing took about an hour to complete. The song reached the number one spot, to our great satisfaction."^[5]

Reception

Although failing to chart on the UK Singles Chart, the song became the Bee Gees' first US number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reached number four on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard ranked this as the No. 5 song for 1971.^[6] In Spain, this single was released under the title "Cómo Puedes Arreglar Un Corazón Destrozada".^[7] The song was performed for the first time in 1971. That performance is notable for drummer Geoff Bridgford's first appearance with the band.^[8]

Following the release of "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", the song had a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus among George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and others.^[3] The song was performed as part of a medley in The Midnight Special in 1975. They performed the song in Japan on the Japanese TV special Love Sounds as well as the Mr. Natural tour in 1974. A live version recorded live in 17–18 Nov 1989 at the National Tennis Centre, Melbourne, Australia was used for the benefit album Nobody's Child: Romanian Angel Appeal. In 1997-1999, it was performed on the One Night Only tour in its entirety as part of a medley. The song was last performed by the Bee Gees in 2001.

Personnel

Barry Gibb – lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar
Robin Gibb – lead and harmony vocals
Maurice Gibb – harmony vocals, bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, organ
Geoff Bridgeford – drums
Bill Shepherd – orchestral and strings arrangement

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1971)	Peak position
Australia (Go-Set)^[9]	2
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[10]	3
Belgium (Ultratop 50)^[11]	21
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	1
Chile^[12]	2
Italy (FIMI)^[12]	24
Malaysia^[10]	1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[13]	16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[12]	6
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[14]	7
US Billboard Adult Contemporary^[15]	4
US Billboard Hot 100^[15]	1
US Cash Box^[16]	1
US Record World^[12]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1971)	Position
Australia (Go-Set)^[17]	37
Belgium (Ultratop 50)^[11]	29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[13]	23

Cover versions

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"

Song by Al Green from the album Let's Stay Together

Released

1972

Genre

R&B, soul

Length

6:22

Label

Producer

Willie Mitchell

Let's Stay Together track listing

"I've Never Found a Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)"
(6)

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
(7)

"Judy"
(8)

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"

Song by Al Green featuring Joss Stone from the album Sex and the City: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Released

27 May 2008

Genre

R&B, soul

Length

7:00

Sex and the City: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack track listing

"Kissing" by Bliss
(11)

"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart"
(12)

"Walk This Way" by Run-D.M.C. featuring Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith
(13)

1970s

1971: Johnny Mathis recorded a version of this song on his LP You've Got a Friend.^[18]
1972: Al Green covered the track on his album Let's Stay Together, which also made the soundtrack to 1997's Good Will Hunting, 1999's The Virgin Suicides, 1999's Notting Hill and 2010's The Book of Eli. Green's version was released as a single in France on Cream Records.^[19] In 2008, Green's version was remade into a duet with Joss Stone for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Sex and the City, with her vocals overdubbed onto the track.^[20]^[21]
1973: Singer-actress Cher covered the song in her 1973 album Half-Breed.^[22]
1977: Florence Henderson performed the song during a medley on an episode of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.^[23]

1990s

1991: Teddy Pendergrass recorded a version of this song on his LP Truly Blessed.^[24]

2000s

2003: Michael Bublé recorded this song, with Barry Gibb performing backup vocals, on his self-titled album. Bublé's version reached number twenty-two on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was Buble's first single.^[25]
2003: American Idol's second winner Ruben Studdard covered the song on his debut album Soulful.
2005: Steve Brookstein recorded it on his number-one album Heart and Soul.^[26]
2007: Barry Manilow's version appears on his album The Greatest Songs of the Seventies.^[27]
2009: Jazz singer-pianist Diana Krall covered this song on her album Quiet Nights.^[28]
2009: Rod Stewart recorded a version for his album Soulbook, though it was left off the final track listing.

2010s

2014: Eef Barzelay recorded a version for a fundraising CD titled More Super Hits Of The Seventies for freeform radio station WFMU.

References

↑ "Cashbox Top Singles - 1971". Cashbox Archives. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "The Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". 45cat. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 3 Hughes, Andrew. The Bee Gees - Tales of the Brothers Gibb. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
1 2 Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs: 1971". Retrieved 13 January 2014.
↑ Janovitz, Bill. "Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1971
↑ How Can You Mend a Broken Heart at Discogs
↑ "Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (Live 1971)". YouTube. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
↑ "Go-Set Australian Charts". poparchives.com. 11 September 1971. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 "Billboard: Hits of the World". Billboard. 18 September 1971. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 "Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". ultratop.be. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 3 4 5 "Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2" (PDF). brothersgibb.org. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 "Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". dutchcharts.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Songs from the year 1971". tsort.info. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
1 2 "Bee Gees Top Songs Discography". musicvf.com. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Cash Box Top 100". Cashbox Archives. 21 August 1971. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Go-Set Australian Charts". Pop Archives. 30 October 1971. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Johnny Mathis - You've Got a Friend". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Al Green - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Al Green on Sex and the City". Demon Music Group. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
↑ "Joss Stone - Al Green - How Can You Mend A BrokenHeart". YouTube. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Cher - Half-Breed". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "The Brady Bunch Variety Hour - Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Teddy Pendergrass - Truly Blessed". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Michael Buble - Michael Buble". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
↑ "Entertainment | Album success for X Factor winner". BBC News. 2005-05-15. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
↑ "New Barry Manilow Album, THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES, Arrives in Stores September 18th on Arista Records", PRNewswire, 10 July 2007.
↑ "Diana Krall - Quiet Nights". Discogs. Retrieved 26 January 2015.

Literature

Melinda Bilyeu, Hector Cook, and Andrew Môn Hughes, with Joseph Brennan and Mark Crohan. The Ultimate Biography of the Bee Gees. London: Omnibus, 2001.
Unpublished list of tape reels, Universal/Polygram, viewed in 2000 by Joseph Brennan.

External links

Preceded by "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor	*U.S. Billboard* Hot 100 number-one single** 7-28 August 1971	Succeeded by "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney
Preceded by "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor	Cash Box Top 100 number-one single 14-28 August 1971	Succeeded by "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver
Preceded by "Don't Pull Your Love" by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds	*Canadian RPM* number-one single** 28 August - 4 September 1971	Succeeded by "Sweet Hitch-Hiker" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Bee Gees singles discography

1960s

1963	"The Battle of the Blue and the Grey" / "The Three Kisses of Love" "Timber!" / "Take Hold of That Star"

1964	"Peace of Mind" / "Don't Say Goodbye" "Claustrophobia" / "Could It Be" "Turn Around, Look at Me" / "(Theme From) The Travels of Jamie McPheeters"

1965	"Every Day I Have to Cry" / "You Wouldn't Know" "Wine and Women" / "Follow the Wind" "I Was A Lover, A Leader Of Men" / "And the Children Laughing"

1966	"I Want Home" / "Cherry Red" "Monday's Rain" / "All of My Life" "Spicks and Specks" / "I Am the World"

1967	"Born a Man" / "Big Chance" "New York Mining Disaster 1941" / "I Can't See Nobody" "To Love Somebody" / "Close Another Door" "Holiday" / "Red Chair, Fade Away "Massachusetts" / "Barker of the UFO" "World" / "Sir Geoffrey Saved the World"

1968	"Words" / "Sinking Ships" "Jumbo" / "The Singer Sang His Song" "I've Gotta Get a Message to You" / "Kitty Can" "I Started a Joke" / "Kilburn Towers"

1969	"First of May" / "Lamplight" "Tomorrow Tomorrow" / "Sun in My Morning" "Don't Forget to Remember" / "The Lord"

1970s

1970	"If Only I Had My Mind on Something Else" / "Sweetheart" (US) "I.O.I.O." / "Sweetheart" "Lonely Days" / "Man for All Seasons"

1971	"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" / "Country Woman" "Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself" / "Walking Back to Waterloo"

1972	"My World" / "On Time" "Run to Me" / "Road to Alaska" "Alive" / Paper Mache, Cabbages and Kings"

1973	"Saw a New Morning" / "My Life Has Been a Song" "Wouldn't I Be Someone" / "Elisa"

1974	"Mr. Natural" / "It Doesn't Matter Much to Me" "Throw a Penny" / "I Can't Let You Go" "Charade" / "Heavy Breathing"

1975	"Jive Talkin'" / "Wind of Change" "Nights on Broadway" / "Edge of the Universe"

1976	"Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)" / "Country Lanes" "You Should Be Dancing" / "Subway" "Love So Right" / "You Stepped Into My Life"

1977	"Boogie Child" / "Lovers" "Edge of the Universe (live)" / "Words (live)" "How Deep Is Your Love" / "Can't Keep a Good Man Down" (live) "Stayin' Alive" / "If I Can't Have You"

1978	"Night Fever" / "Down the Road (live)" "Too Much Heaven" / "Rest Your Love on Me"

1979	"Tragedy" / "Until" "Love You Inside Out" / "I'm Satisfied"

1980s

1981	"He's a Liar" "Living Eyes" / "I Still Love You"

1983	"The Woman in You" / "Stayin' Alive" "Someone Belonging to Someone" / "I Love You Too Much" (instrumental)

1987	"You Win Again" / "Backtafunk" "E.S.P." / "Overnight"

1989	"Ordinary Lives" / "Wing and a Prayer" "One" / "Flesh and Blood"

1990s

1990	"Bodyguard" / "Will You Ever Let Me"

1991	"Secret Love" / "Party with No Name" "When He's Gone" / "True Confessions" "The Only Love" / "You Win Again" (live) "Happy Ever After" / "Evolution"

1993	"Paying the Price of Love" / "My Destiny" "For Whom the Bell Tolls" / "Decadance"

1994	"How to Fall in Love, Part 1" / "Fallen Angel" "Kiss of Life" / "855-7019"

1997	"Alone" / "Rings Around the Moon" "I Could Not Love You More" / "Love Never Dies" (EUR) "Still Waters (Run Deep)" / "Love Never Dies"

2000s

2001	"This Is Where I Came In" / "Just in Case"

Other countries

1970	"Let There Be Love" / "Really and Sincerely" (Netherlands)

1971	"When the Swallows Fly" / "Give Your Best" (Netherlands) "Morning of my Life" / "To Love Somebody"

1972	"Israel" / "Dearest" (Netherlands) "Sea of Smiling Faces" / "Please Don't Turn Out the Lights"

1977	"Children of the World" / "Boogie Child" (Australia}

1988	"Crazy for Your Love" / "You Win Again (Remix)" "Angela" / "You Win Again (Remix)" (Germany, Netherlands)

Michael Bublé singles

Discography

Michael Bublé	"How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" "Kissing a Fool" "Sway" "Spider-Man Theme"

It's Time	"Feeling Good" "Home" "Save the Last Dance for Me"

Call Me Irresponsible	"Everything" "Me and Mrs. Jones" "Lost" "It Had Better Be Tonight" "Comin' Home Baby"

Crazy Love	"Haven't Met You Yet" "Hold On" "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" "Cry Me a River" "Crazy Love" "Hollywood" "Georgia on My Mind"

Duets II	"Don't Get Around Much Anymore"

Christmas	"All I Want for Christmas Is You" "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" / "Jingle Bells" "White Christmas"

To Be Loved	"It's a Beautiful Day"

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