“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” was written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees in August 1970, in the same session as “Lonely Days”, while the brothers were reuniting after a split. The song was first offered to Andy Williams, who covered it on his album You've Got a Friend. The Bee Gees recorded it on 28 January 1971 at IBC Studios in London, produced by Robert Stigwood and the group. Polydor released it on 28 May 1971 as the first single from the album Trafalgar, with “Country Woman” on the B-side. Described as folk rock with country soul leanings, it is a slower, almost country-ballad performance.
It was the Bee Gees' first US No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped Cash Box and reached No. 1 in Canada, though it did not chart in the UK. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. Later versions include those by Johnny Mathis (1971), Cher (1973), Teddy Pendergrass (1991), Michael Buble (2003, his first single, with Barry Gibb on backing vocals), Barry Manilow (2007), Diana Krall (2009) and Barry Gibb with Sheryl Crow (2020).
