f.BARRY GIBB & DOLLY PARTON — “WORDS” (GREENFIELDS STUDIO SESSIONS) Nashville, Tennessee — When Barry Gibb and Dolly Parton joined forces for “Words” on Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, Vol.f
BARRY GIBB & DOLLY PARTON — “WORDS” (GREENFIELDS STUDIO SESSIONS)
When two legends meet, magic happens — and nowhere is that more evident than in “Words”, the breathtaking duet between Barry Gibb and Dolly Parton from Barry’s acclaimed album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, Vol. 1. The collaboration unites two of music’s most iconic voices — one from the soul of pop harmony, the other from the heart of country storytelling — in a performance that feels timeless, tender, and deeply human.
Originally written and recorded by The Bee Gees in 1968, “Words” has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful ballads in the Gibb catalogue — a song of love, sincerity, and the power of expression. In the Greenfields version, recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville, Barry reimagines the song as a gentle, acoustic masterpiece, with Dolly’s voice weaving gracefully through his like sunlight on water.
From the first guitar strum, the production is stripped down and organic — warm acoustic tones, soft pedal steel, and harmonies that seem to float in the air. Barry opens the song in a hushed, reflective tone, his voice full of experience and emotion. Then Dolly joins him, her unmistakable Appalachian sweetness adding a sense of comfort and grace. Together, their voices blend in perfect harmony — two artists with entirely different styles, united by shared authenticity and mutual respect.
The chemistry between Barry and Dolly is palpable. Both are legends who have spent decades defining their respective genres — Barry, the last surviving Gibb brother, carrying the legacy of The Bee Gees; Dolly, the queen of country music and one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Yet in this recording, there’s no ego, no spotlight competition — only artistry, humility, and a deep reverence for the song itself.
Barry has often spoken of his admiration for Dolly, calling her “one of the most beautiful souls in music.” In interviews, he described how emotional he felt recording with her:
“She walked into the studio, and everything just felt right. When Dolly sings, the whole room lights up. You can feel the love in her voice — it’s pure.”
Dolly, in turn, expressed her affection for Barry and the Bee Gees’ legacy:
“Barry’s music has always touched people’s hearts — it’s full of truth and emotion. To sing ‘Words’ with him was an honor.”
The performance captures that mutual warmth perfectly. There’s a gentle melancholy in their delivery — as though both artists are reflecting on long journeys through life and music. Each phrase carries depth, and when they sing together on the chorus —
“It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away” —
it feels like a promise kept to the millions who have loved their music for decades.
The video, filmed during the Greenfields Studio Sessions, amplifies the intimacy of the song. Set in a softly lit Nashville studio, it shows Barry and Dolly facing each other, sharing smiles, and communicating through the music. There’s no need for elaborate staging — just two friends, two icons, and a song that says everything words can’t.
Critics and fans alike praised “Words” as one of the standout moments of Greenfields, calling it “achingly beautiful” and “a masterclass in simplicity and emotion.” The entire album — which features Barry collaborating with artists like Alison Krauss, Keith Urban, Olivia Newton-John, Jason Isbell, and Brandi Carlile — was designed as a tribute to the enduring power of The Bee Gees’ songwriting. But it’s this duet with Dolly that stands as its emotional centerpiece — a meeting of hearts and histories.
In many ways, “Words” represents more than just a song. For Barry Gibb, it’s a conversation between past and present — between memory and endurance. For Dolly Parton, it’s another chance to honor the art of storytelling through music. Together, they give the song a new kind of immortality — one grounded in warmth, honesty, and the quiet beauty that only two lifelong dreamers could create.
As the final notes fade and their voices linger in harmony, “Words” becomes exactly what it has always been — a love letter written in melody. And with Barry and Dolly singing side by side, it’s a letter signed by two of the most enduring souls in music history.
