Robin Gibb has spoken about his new version of the classic Bee Gees song Gotta Get A Message To You, being released this weekend to benefit charity.
The singer has recorded the new single with “The Soldiers”, a trio made up of members of the British Armed Forces. The Soldiers’ first album, Coming Home, became a hit on the British charts.
“The Soldiers had started recording an album of songs and I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You was one of them,” says Robin in an interview posted on his official website. "One day I had a request if I’d be willing to sing on it and because of its nature, it’s a charity record, I said yes to it right away.
“Proceeds are going to The Royal British Legion and the Benevolunt Fund of 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards. I consider it a great honour to have this song chosen by The British Legion to be the official Poppy Appeal single of 2011. The Poppy Appeal is a way of showing pride in the sacrifice of our young men, and recording this song with active servicemen adds a special factor to the message."
To read the whole interview, click here.
To be released on 23 October 2011, pre-orders are now available from Amazon, HMV and other leading outlets. The Soldiers’ royalties will go to The Royal British Legion’s annual fundraising drive which will be launched nationally on 27 October. It is the first time serving soldiers have released the Official Single for the Poppy Appeal, which will focus this year on the Legion’s assistance in the recovery of injured Armed Forces personnel.
The track has been produced by the renowned Nick Patrick (Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson) and Jeff Chegwin. Robin Gibb wrote the song with his brothers Barry and Maurice and it was originally recorded by the Bee Gees in 1968, becoming their second number one single on the UK singles chart.
Robin Gibb said: “Although not written all those years back about soldiers, it can represent the human emotions of Servicemen – or in this case, a single soldier. It’s about being trapped in a corner far from home, brave but scared and thinking of loved ones. These men and women deserve our respect and we need to remind ourselves that they – including of course Ryan, Gary and Richie – are prepared to lay down their lives for our freedoms.”
Russell Thompson, Director of Fundraising for The Royal British Legion, said: “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You is part of the soundtrack to our lives, and it’s incredibly moving to hear it performed by serving soldiers thinking of those on operations in Afghanistan. We’re proud to be associated with The Soldiers and to have this song as the official tune of the Poppy Appeal in our 90th anniversary year.”
The Soldiers – Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, Staff Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi – were aware of Robin Gibb’s charitable work for the Armed Forces and big fans of The Bee Gees when they approached Robin and asked if he would be up for a duet with them – they were over the moon when he agreed.
