“More Than a Woman” is a popular song by the Bee Gees, ranking third on Spotify with nearly a billion plays, following “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love.” Interestingly, when the Bee Gees first recorded it in 1977 for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, they did not release it as a single.
The film, starring John Travolta, was initially set to include music by Stevie Wonder. However, producer Robert Stigwood could not secure the rights to Wonder’s songs and turned to the Bee Gees, a band he had managed since 1967. The Bee Gees had been known for their soft rock style with folk and country roots but began to explore more rhythmic sounds after their hit “Jive Talkin'” in 1975. During this time, Barry Gibb started using a falsetto voice that was popular among Black artists.
Over a creative weekend, Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb wrote several songs, including “Night Fever,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “More Than a Woman,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “If I Can’t Have You.” Bill Oakes, a producer who won a Grammy for the film’s soundtrack, remarked on the exceptional quality of these songs, especially since the Bee Gees had not seen the script.
The Bee Gees gave their demo of “More Than a Woman” to Tavares, a group of five brothers known for hits like “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” and “It Only Takes a Minute.” Tavares recorded the song, and later, producers decided they wanted both Tavares’ version and the Bee Gees’ completed demo for the film.
In the movie, Tavares’ version plays during a dance practice scene between Tony Manero and Stephanie Mangano. The song tells a story of a man who realizes he has romantic feelings for a woman he once saw as just a friend. It features Barry’s distinctive falsetto and a disco groove driven by Dennis Bryon’s drums. The Bee Gees’ version is played when Tony and Stephanie dance at the competition.
Saturday Night Fever was both a critical and financial success, with its soundtrack selling over 40 million copies. “More Than a Woman” reached number 32 on the U.S. charts. Tavares continues to perform, with two of the brothers touring with the next generation to keep their R&B sound alive. The Bee Gees’ career ended with the passing of Maurice in 2003 and Robin in 2012, leaving Barry Gibb as the last surviving member.
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Source: Upworthy, by Tod Perry