“First of May” is one of the Bee Gees’ most tender and emotional ballads. Featured on their album Odessa, this song captures the delicate beauty of childhood memories, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of love and loss. With its orchestral arrangement and haunting vocals, it remains a fan favorite and a standout in the band’s early catalog.
Bee Gees performs
A gentle piano-led ballad, with lush orchestral strings arranged by Bill Shepherd.
Barry Gibb’s lead vocal is soft and emotional, conveying a sense of longing and reflection.
The minimalistic arrangement gives the song a timeless, classic quality — different from the Bee Gees’ later disco sound.
“First of May” was released as a single in early 1969 and became a Top 40 hit in the UK, reaching #6 in Ireland and #3 in Malaysia.
Its release sparked internal tension: Robin Gibb’s song “Lamplight” was relegated to the B-side, prompting Robin to temporarily leave the group.
The song was later used in several film and TV soundtracks, especially in Asia, where it gained renewed popularity in the 1990s.
It’s named after the birthday of Barry Gibb’s dog, though the lyrics themselves are metaphorical and universal in theme.
