Released in 1967, the hauntingly beautiful song ‘Massachusetts’ became the first of the Bee Gees’ five No. 1 hits in the UK. The track was a global phenomenon, reaching No. 1 in 12 other countries, peaking at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and ultimately selling over five million copies worldwide.
The song was reportedly conceived as an antithesis of flower power. Its lyrics tell the story of a protagonist who had traveled to San Francisco during the height of the movement but is now feeling homesick for his home state of Massachusetts. The narrative follows his journey of longing and return, as reflected in the lines, “Feel I’m going back to Massachusetts / Something’s telling me I must go home.”
The origin of the song itself is a subject of differing recollections among the band members. Barry Gibb recalled that he and his brother Robin Gibb had conflicting memories of its creation. “There are two different memories,” Barry stated. “Robin remembers us doing it in a boat going around New York City.” In contrast, Barry remembered the song beginning in their suite at the St. Regis hotel with their manager, Robert Stigwood. “I remember us checking in at the St. Regis with Robert… and while the bags were being brought in we were so high on being in New York, that’s how ‘Massachusetts’ began,” he explained. Barry suggested the memories might collide, with the song possibly being started in the hotel and worked on further during the boat trip. Regardless of the location, he affirmed the song was a collaborative effort, stating, “Everybody wrote it. All three of us were there when the song was born.”