"First of May" is a song written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb and recorded by the Bee Gees with lead vocals by Barry Gibb, for their 1969 double album Odessa. It was the first Bee Gees single to be released after guitarist Vince Melouney had left the group.
Released as a single it peaked at #1 in the Netherlands while reaching #6 in the brothers' native UK.
Its B-side was Lamplight which Robin Gibb, who sang its lead vocal, had wanted to be the A-side. When Robert Stigwood opted for First of May, which Robin did not feature on, Robin, angered at this decision left the group. He would rejoin in 1970 but during this period he would release the solo album Robin's Reign while Barry and Maurice Gibb cut Cucumber Castle as a duo.
On the 1996 reissue of this single, its flipside was "How Deep Is Your Love" as the song re-entered the charts in Japan reaching #25. It was used as a B-side of "Melody Fair" in 1971 on the Melody soundtrack as well as in 1976 and 1980 on RSO Records. Also in 1980, sometimes, it was chosen as the A-side with "Melody Fair" as the B-side only in Japan.
Maurice Gibb sang the song with his former wife Lulu in her 2001 TV special An Audience with Lulu.
Robin Gibb recorded a version with G4 for their 2005 collaborations album G4 & Friends.
Personnel[]
Barry Gibb - vocal
Maurice Gibb - bass, piano
Orchestra conducted by Bill Shepherd