Introduction:
Music has a rare power to bring time, memory, and emotion together in a single moment—and Barry Gibb’s newest project does exactly that. In a recently shared behind-the-scenes video, Gibb invites audiences into the intimate recording of a new version of the Bee Gees’ timeless classic “Words,” this time featuring the legendary Dolly Parton. More than a simple studio clip, the video feels like a quiet celebration of friendship, gratitude, and musical legacy.
The recording takes place at the iconic RCA Victor Studio A in Nashville, a room steeped in history and soul. It is here that Barry Gibb, alongside producer Dave Cobb, brought together an extraordinary group of artists to create Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook (Vol. 1)—an album that reimagines Bee Gees classics through a country and Americana lens. As Barry reflects on the studio’s past, he reminds us that this very space once welcomed voices like Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers. Standing there, he notes with quiet reverence that he is positioned exactly where Dolly herself once recorded “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene.”
For Dolly Parton, this collaboration is deeply personal. In the video, she speaks with warmth and sincerity about the profound role Barry Gibb—and his brothers Maurice and Robin—played in her career through their songwriting of “Islands in the Stream,” her iconic 1983 duet with Kenny Rogers. Her admiration is unmistakable as she describes “Words” as one of her all-time favorite Bee Gees songs, saying she “couldn’t get there fast enough” when the opportunity arose.
True to her nature, Dolly fills the studio with laughter and light. Between takes, she jokes with the musicians, at one point quipping, “What are we going to do about my hearing condition?” before delivering the punchline: “No, I’m not hard of hearing—I’m just hard of listening.” It’s a moment that captures her charm perfectly and reminds us that even legends carry joy into their craft.
The emotional depth of this collaboration is mirrored by the album’s remarkable global success. Greenfields debuted at No.1 on the UK Albums Chart, reached No.15 on the Billboard 200, and gave Barry Gibb his first Top 40 solo appearance in the U.S. The album also topped the Americana/Folk Albums chart, landed at No.1 in Australia, and made a strong impact across Europe, selling nearly 25,000 equivalent units in its first U.S. week alone.
More than chart positions or accolades, this project stands as a testament to enduring artistry. It is about voices that have shaped generations, coming together not to chase trends, but to honor the songs, the stories, and the shared humanity behind the music.