“Barbara Came to Stay” is a lesser-known track by the Bee Gees featured on their sixth studio album, Odessa, released in February/March 1969. Originally titled “Barbara Came to Stay,” the song was later reworked—with entirely new lyrics and retitled “Edison”—before Odessa’s release, transforming from a personal tribute into a fictional homage to inventor Thomas Edison. The version titled “Barbara Came to Stay” eventually surfaced as a demo and appeared on the deluxe reissue of the album. The dreamy, whimsical arrangement captures the experimental and orchestral sound that defines the ambitious Odessa project.
Bee Gees performs My Destiny
Album Context: Odessa was a double LP and the only one of the Bee Gees’ albums of original music released as a double album—it’s widely regarded as their most ambitious artistic work of the 1960s era
Song Evolution: The original version titled “Barbara Came to Stay” was transformed into “Edison” with completely new lyrics, but its demo eventually appeared in the 2009 deluxe edition Odessa: The Complete Odessa
Tribute Inspirations: The original title may refer to the brothers’ mother, Barbara Gibb, though that connection remains speculative
Songwriters & Vocals: The track was written and performed by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, showcasing their collaborative three-part vocals in a way typical of their late‑’60s style
While not a mainstream Bee Gees single, “Barbara Came to Stay” offers an intriguing peek into the creative process behind Odessa. It’s an evocative piece—dreamy, nostalgic, and experimental—that exemplifies the band’s willingness to take bold artistic risks during a period of internal tension and stylistic change.
