Tragedy Lyrics - Bee Gees

About “Tragedy”

Tragedy by the Bee Gees is a disco anthem released in February 1979 as part of their fifteenth album, Spirits Having Flown. The track captures the emotional pain of loss and heartbreak, intensified by its dramatic production and powerful vocals. As one of their most successful hits, it reached #1 on the charts in both the UK and US. Written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb during downtime while filming *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band*, the song combines the Bee Gees' signature falsettos with a driving disco beat, symbolizing emotional devastation set to danceable rhythms.

• Album: Spirits Having Flown


• Artist: Bee Gees


• Producer: Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten, Karl Richardson


• Writers: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb


• Genre: Disco, Pop, Rock


• Release Date: February 5, 1979

Song Meanings Explained.

Tragedy delves into the emotional turmoil of a relationship’s collapse, exploring feelings of isolation, despair, and internal conflict. The song’s repeated refrain of “Tragedy” underscores the intensity of losing love and the overwhelming sense of helplessness that accompanies it.

[Verse 1]

The opening verse establishes the theme of isolation as the narrator finds himself "in a lost and lonely part of town." The image of drowning in "a world of tears" conveys the overwhelming sadness he feels. He longs for the comfort of being with a loved one, emphasizing the pain of separation and the void it creates.

[Chorus]

The chorus highlights the emotional toll of lost love. The lyrics "When the feeling's gone, and you can't go on, it's tragedy" perfectly capture the narrator's despair. Without love, life feels aimless, and the morning's tears reflect the ongoing sadness. The repeated phrase "you're going nowhere" reinforces the stagnation and hopelessness he experiences.

[Verse 2]

The second verse continues to explore the narrator’s inner turmoil, with the "burning down inside" representing an intense yearning for lost love. He admits that he "just can't take it all alone," expressing the emotional weight that is too much for him to bear without his partner.

[Chorus Repeats & Outro]

The repetition of the chorus and outro drives home the depth of the tragedy. The narrator remains trapped in his emotional pain, unable to move forward or find solace. The final cries of "tragedy" mirror the cyclical nature of his grief and loss.

Song Theme.

The primary theme of Tragedy is the unbearable emotional pain caused by the loss of love. The song explores feelings of loneliness, despair, and helplessness. Although it is set against an energetic disco backdrop, the lyrics convey deep sorrow and internal suffering, illustrating how love's absence can devastate a person emotionally.

Technical Analysis.

Musically, Tragedy showcases the Bee Gees' mastery of the disco genre, combining a high-energy beat with emotional depth. The song features their signature harmonized falsetto vocals, adding a dramatic and almost theatrical layer to the track. The intense production includes pulsating synthesizers and powerful drums that mimic the feeling of emotional chaos. The song's structure uses repetition to heighten the sense of emotional overload, particularly in the chorus, where the word "tragedy" becomes a haunting echo of the narrator’s despair.

The contrast between the upbeat tempo and the dark, introspective lyrics is a key element that makes Tragedy stand out as a complex and emotionally charged disco hit. The Bee Gees’ ability to combine these elements made the track a commercial success and a timeless anthem of heartbreak.