I.O.I.O. Explained

I.O.I.O.
Cover:BeeGeesIOIO.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Bee Gees
Album:Cucumber Castle
B-Side:"Sweetheart"[1]
Released:March 1970 (United Kingdom)
April 1970 (United States)
Recorded:12 June 1968 and 8 October 1969
Genre:World music, African-American music, bubblegum
Length:2:55
Label:Polydor (United Kingdom)
Atco (United States)
Producer:Robert Stigwood, Bee Gees
Prev Title:If Only I Had My Mind on Something Else
Prev Year:1970
Next Title:Lonely Days
Next Year:1970

"I.O.I.O." is a song by the Bee Gees, released on the album Cucumber Castle. It was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. The song was released as a single in March 1970, and was also one of the highlights of the album. The single was a relative success mainly on European charts. Its music video is taken from the film Cucumber Castle.

It was a cult favourite of fans, however, and made it onto the compilation Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2.[2]

Recording

The title "I.O.I.O." is derived from the calls on the chorus sung by Maurice accompanied by Colin's drumming, and Barry sings the verses and plays guitar. Former Bee Gees guitarist Vince Melouney was featured, having played the guitar on the song's first session on 12 June 1968 during sessions for Idea, but was not present when the song was finished, as he left the group following the album Odessa.[3] The song's second session was October 8, 1969 after they had recorded "Twinky" (unreleased) and "The Chance of Love". (Pentangle drummer Terry Cox added drums on the October 8 sessions)[4] Maurice claimed that the song was not even quite finished, but it still had Barry's guide vocal on it. The song also is notable for being the only Bee Gees A-side single to feature any vocal solos from Maurice Gibb, these comprising the "I.O." chants.[5]

Musical structure

"I.O.I.O." marked the group's first conscious delving into what is now called 'world music'. According to Robin Gibb, it grew out of Barry's visit to Africa.[2] Maurice Gibb described this as "Barry's African jaunt". This is evident from the percussion break at the song's beginning.

Cash Box stated that the song "introduces a new sound to the act, more tempo and rhythm effectiveness...and a melodic shift that shines a new light on the group."[6] Record World called it "a chant-ballad" that "should score with music lovers everywhere."[7] Bob Stanley describes "I.O.I.O." as "bouncy bubblegum".[8] According to Bee Gees biographers Melinda Bilyeu, Hector Cook and Andrew Môn Hughes, "I.O.I.O." features "a very sparse arrangement indeed, mainly guitar and drums, and it's not obvious how Barry would have bettered the lead."[9]

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

ChartsPeak
position
Argentina[10] 7
Australia (Kent Music Report)[11] 14
Brazil7
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] 9
Canada (RPM Magazine)[14] 63
Denmark3
Germany (Media Control Charts)[15] 6
Italy (FIMI)12
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)6
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[17] 6
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[18] 49
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 94
US Record World98

Year-end charts

Chart (1970)Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)17
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)29
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)19

Cover versions

B3 version

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[21] 26
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[22] 90
Germany (Official German Charts)[23] 9

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. releases history . Discogs.com.
  2. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. . Bruce Eder . AllMusic. 31 December 2012.
  3. Web site: Gibb Songs: 1968 . Joseph Brennan. Columbia.edu .
  4. Web site: Gibb Songs: 1969 . Joseph Brennan. Columbia.edu.
  5. Book: The Bee Gees . Melinda Bilyeu . Hector Cook . Andrew Môn Hughes . 6 December 2014. 9780857128942 . 2011-01-01 .
  6. News: CashBox Record Reviews. June 13, 1970. 26. 2021-12-09. Cash Box.
  7. Single Picks of the Week. Record World. June 13, 1970. 1. 2023-04-28.
  8. Book: Stanley . Bob . Bee Gees: Children of the World . 2023 . Nine Eight Books . London . 125 . 978-1-7887-0541-7 . Odessa.
  9. Book: Bilyeu . Melinda . Cook . Hector . Hughes . Andrew Môn . The Ultimate Biography of the Bee Gees: Tales of the Brothers Gibb . 2011 . Omnibus Press . London . 0-7119-8748-3 . 277 . New . Lonely Days.
  10. Web site: Billboard: Hits of the World . . September 12, 1970 . 24 January 2015.
  11. Web site: Songs Written by the Gibb Family on the International Charts - Part 2 . Brothersgibb.org . 24 January 2015.
  12. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. . Austriancharts.at . 24 January 2015.
  13. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. . Ultratop.be . 24 January 2015.
  14. Web site: RPM Top 100 Singles - August 22, 1970.
  15. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808212217/http://www.officialcharts.de/song.asp?artist=Bee+Gees&title=I%2EO%2EI%2EO%2E&country=de . dead . August 8, 2014 . Officialcharts.de . 24 January 2015.
  16. Web site: Bee Gees - I.O.I.O. . Dutchcharts.com . 24 January 2015.
  17. Billboard Hits of the World . 61 . bee gees cucumber castle billboard. . Billboard . July 25, 1970 . 24 January 2015. Nielsen Business Media . Inc .
  18. Web site: Bee Gees Chart History . Official Charts Company . 24 January 2015.
  19. Web site: Bee Gees - Chart history . . 21 January 2015.
  20. Web site: Oficiální česká hitparáda - 31/2002. IFPI CR. cs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20020811055110/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm. 11 August 2002. 9 February 2021.
  21. Web site: Jahreshitparade Singles 2002. austriancharts.at. 17 June 2020.
  22. Web site: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002. Music and Media. 12 September 2022.
  23. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. 17 June 2020.