we would sing what we would [imagine] the strings doing. But in this case he did that himself, and I thought it was great. 'Massachusetts' was our first #1 in England". Release Before the release of this song, Australians Colin Petersen and Vince Melouney were facing deportation, and it appeared that they might have to leave the band as a result. On 12 August, British fans staged a protest on behalf of the musicians at the cottage of Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Three days later Bee Gees fan Deirdre Meehan chained and handcuffed herself to Buckingham Palace to protest the possible deportation. Ultimately, the musicians were allowed to stay. On 27 August 1967, Beatles' manager Brian Epstein told Maurice Gibb that "'Massachusetts' is a great song that would be very successful." Epstein died later that night. When it was released in the UK, the title was "Massachusetts (The Lights Went Out in)" but the subtitle was later dropped. In America, Atco Records delayed it to release "Holiday". The song "Massachusetts" has a minor claim to fame in the history of British radio as it was the second record played on BBC Radio 1. The first song to be played was "Flowers in the Rain" by The Move. It was the first No. 1 hit single by a non-Japanese artist on Japan's official hit chart, Oricon Singles Chart, on 1 April 1968, and would end up as the band's biggest selling single there. Cash Box said that it is "a splendidly arranged ballad somewhat in the Scott McKenzie bag." Personnel Robin Gibb – lead vocals Barry Gibb – rhythm guitar, harmony vocals Maurice Gibb – bass guitar, piano, Mellotron, harmony vocals Vince Melouney – rhythm guitar Colin Petersen – drums Bill Shepherd – orchestral arrangement Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Notable cover versions Yugoslav rock band Siluete recorded a version of the song in 1967 for the Yugoslav TV show Koncert za ludi mladi svet (A Concert for Young Crazy World). The video for the song eas shot in the Wild West town settings in the Avala Film Studios. The Seekers recorded this song following the death of Maurice Gibb. Rita Wilson and Leslie Odom, Jr. covered the song in 2022 for Wilson's album Rita Wilson Now & Forever: Duets References Bee Gees songs 1967 songs 1967 singles UK Singles Chart number-one singles Number-one singles in Germany Oricon Weekly number-one singles