About The Song
Kilburn Towers Fly is a hidden gem from this early period, nestled on the B-side of their 1968 single “I Started a Joke.” While “I Started a Joke” became a radio hit, showcasing the band’s burgeoning pop sensibilities, Kilburn Towers Fly takes us on a different journey entirely. It’s a song brimming with a youthful nostalgia, a bittersweet look back at simpler times.
The title itself evokes a sense of place. Kilburn Towers likely refers to a specific apartment building, perhaps one familiar to the Gibb brothers themselves. “Towers” suggests a sense of grandeur, a place that once held dreams and aspirations. But the addition of “Fly” hints at a yearning for escape, a desire to break free from the confines of those walls.
This tension between comfort and longing permeates the song. The melody is gentle and melancholic, with a touch of psychedelia that was prevalent in the late 60s. The Bee Gees’ signature harmonies are still present, but not yet as polished and layered as they would become in later years. There’s a raw honesty to their vocals, a vulnerability that allows the listener to connect with the emotions of the song.
Kilburn Towers Fly isn’t a dance floor anthem, nor is it a heart-wrenching ballad. It occupies a space somewhere in between, a quiet contemplation on the passage of time and the ever-present desire to move on. It’s a song that resonates particularly with those of us who’ve looked back on our younger years, remembering the places we once called home and the dreams we held so dear. So, put on your favorite headphones, close your eyes, and let the Bee Gees transport you back to a simpler time with Kilburn Towers Fly.