Originally, the song was written for Joe Cocker, but the group ultimately released it themselves. Barry rushed the track through, but it never reached Joe, who was given 'Delta Lady' by his management instead".[3]
This song was recorded on 19 and 21 March 1969. Its B-side, "Sun In My Morning", was also recorded on March 19.[2]
Release
Released in the United States on 1 June 1969, the single charted, only reaching No. 54 on Billboard, but cracked the Top 40 on Cash Box, reaching No. 32. It achieved top ten placings in Brazil, New Zealand and some European countries, even topping the chart in Denmark, but in the brothers' native Britain it peaked only at No. 23. The promotional video, featuring Barry, Maurice and Colin performing the song in a park, is very rare. The band's manager, Robert Stigwood, made the decision to release the song as a single. Maurice later revealed, "We've got another one that we'll put straight out if it doesn't make it".[3] The song was felt by both brothers to be more suited to Joe Cocker's singing style than their own. Barry said, "This was a mistake that Robert [Stigwood] very rarely made", while Maurice remarked, "I don't think it's us but I quite like it".[3]
The original single mix made its CD debut on the 1980s reissue of Best of Bee Gees where it replaced "Spicks and Specks" which had been left off the CD for contractual reasons. It had previously appeared on the 1976 budget compilation Massachusetts which had largely consisted of B-sides and non-album tracks.
Cash Box commented on the fact that the song goes through "several musically-exciting changes."[4]Record World said "Those Bee Gees have another smash with 'Tomorrow Tomorrow'...which is embellished with horns and lots of strings."[5]Billboard called it "a strong driving rhythm ballad" with a "powerful lead vocal by Barry Gibb."[6]
