Since ya'll (those who post) dig these types of threads so much, here's another one. Two great cuts, both big hits, and both written and produced by The Bee Gees (hell, Barry is singing the WHOLE chorus alone on "Emotion"! Damn.) Both these songs are beautiful in that late 70's sort of way. And both gives me great memories from when I was little. So, which one is your fave, between the two?

"If I Can't Have You"

I like the melody better. And "Emotion" is just a tad trite IMHO.

blackguitaristz said:

BG Baby, I would say that between the two, I would prefer Emotion b/c of the 3 part vocal harmony arrangement and beautiful lyrics. What can I say, I guess that I am a romantic at heart.
[Edited 7/26/05 13:54pm]

MsLegs said:

agree

MsLegs said:

You know, I always thought Yvonne Elliman was pretty underrated. She had a few other hits in the late 70's, then disappeared, though. They put her vocals way deep down in the mix of "If I Can't Have You", and I wonder what she would have sounded like if they hadn't done that.

VoicesCarry said:

Perhaps, that's made a difference with her vocal sound.

What's up, B? I think both jams are cool.....but I'm gonna go with "Emotion". The melodies and harmonies are hittin' and it definetly sounded like it could have been on the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack..and like you, it brings back the memories of being a little dude sitting in the passenger's seat (hearing this on the radio) while Mom or Dad drove.... Good picks!

SPYZFAN1 said:

Thanx, playboy!

Samantha Sang's "Emotion"

If I Can't Have You

I really like "Emotion" too,though.
[Edited 7/26/05 20:14pm]

Wow,this is a tough one.I love both of those songs.The Bee Gees wrote some of the greatest songs of the 70s,and these two songs are top-notch.I guess if you forced me to choose,I would have to pick "If I Can't Have You".That song fits perfectly at the end of Side One of the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack....right after the four Bee Gees tracks.It's a perfect,breezy disco number.Amazingly,it was written but NOT produced by the Bee Gees.The production was handled by Freddie Perren,and musically,it bears a slight resemblence to Tavare's 1976 hit "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel",which Perren also produced.


Samantha Sang's "Emotion" is also a gem,even though their "background" vocals dominate the track.You can them more than you can hear her! Kinda like the way Prince took over Sheila E's song "A Love Bizarre",lol.

SPYZFAN1 said:

I remember my mother hearing this song on the radio,then rushing home,pulling out the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack and looking for this track.She actually thought it was a song on the soundtrack that she had not listened to yet,lol.


But yeah,this song would have worked well in the movie.It could have been Annette's theme song....

It's over and done,but the heartache lives on inside
and who is the one you're clinging to instead of me tonight

Love both but 'If I Can't Have You' gets the edge.

DavidEye said:

Good check, dave. Freddie did produce "If I Can't Have You".

Emotion is a better song, but Yvonne Elliman is the better vocalist. I love her voice. Every track she sang on Jesus Christ Suerstar is stellar, especially I Don't Know How to Love Him.

At any rate, Emotion is the better track. If I Can't Have You sounds more dated to me. Just not a fave Gibb track of mine.

I love "If I Can't Have You" so I go with that.

Wistful disco melody. Blazhay vocals, but well pulled off. It's a classic.

blackguitaristz said:

I just remembered that the Bee Gees actually cut their own version of Emotions for their 2001 greatest hits release, The Record.
[Edited 7/27/05 13:10pm]

RipHer2Shreds said:

At first I thought it was the Samantha Sang version, until I played it, and I was disappointed, and would intentionally skip that song. I prefer her version, with The Bee Gees in the background. I kinda don't like when artists either rerecord their own songs to an "updated" version. Even if they wrote it and somebody else recorded, to turn around years later and record their own version just doesn't have the same feeling or impact as the older version. Other than that, The Bee Gees can't really do too much wrong musically.
[Edited 7/27/05 13:40pm]

I vote for "Emotion."
Even though I like "If I Can't Have You," it's more of a dancing song, so it just depends on which song has more of an impact personally.

I like "Emotion" better.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Go head Rip! "I Don't Know How To Love Him" is the cut. I had such a crush on Yvonne when I was a kid.

blackguitaristz said:

I remember you saying that! Here's one for you




[Edited 7/27/05 15:01pm]

RipHer2Shreds said:

Ahhhhh yeahhhhh!!! U the man, Rip! Thanx. Such memories. I saw her on a disco show on PBS performing "If I Can't Have You" about 3 months ago. She STILL lookes good. She has such a sweet nature about her too. She was talking to the audience, and I was like "Damn. That's a hot woman right there. Sexy and cool, can't beat that combo!

SPYZFAN1 said:

Same thing with me as well.

DavidEye said:

Good point. BUT, "Emotion" to me, sounds a little "newer". Meaning, the production, the mix, sounds a hair more current than the cuts from the soundtrack. The song itself, hell yeah. Probably written in the same time frame as the others.

Someone orged me, informing me that I myself hadn't picked. I'll be like my boy, paligap and take the 5th! I love them both dearly and equally.

blackguitaristz said: