Soft Rock Songs
The song was written by the brothers Gibb, that is, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. It was released on their 1975 album Main Course. It was also released as a single early in 1976 backed with “Country Lanes.” The story behind the song is that they were staying in North Miami Beach recording Main Course. They were busy writing a song with “Be Tender With My Love” and dedicated it would be better if there the love were focused on a particular woman. They saw their housekeeper Fanny, and decided that was the one. The harmonies for the song are complex. Barry began to use his falsetto as a lead vocal, adding to Robin’s falsetto. They shared backing vocals as well. This became part of their signature sound. Because of the layers of harmonies, they did not perform “Fanny” live.
“Fanny (Be Tender with My Love)” charted internationally, going to #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and Cash Box. The song went to #1 in Canada and #7 in New Zealand.
The Bee Gees formed in 1958 and had many decades of success as performers and with their recorded music. They were among the most popular musical artists of the 1970s.
