The song “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” was written by Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees.

Quick Scoop: Who Wrote It?

  • The writers of “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” are Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb , members of the Bee Gees.
  • The song is officially credited to the Gibb brothers and first appeared as a Bee Gees single in 1971.
  • Al Green’s famous version is a cover; the songwriting credit still belongs to Barry and Robin Gibb.

A Bit of Background

  • “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” became the Bee Gees’ first number one hit in the United States, marking a major milestone in their early ’70s career.
  • The song’s emotional tone and classic soul-ballad feel are a big part of why it has been covered repeatedly, including by Al Green, who gave it a smoother, deeply soulful reinterpretation.

Why People Still Ask This

  • Many listeners first meet the song through Al Green’s version, which leads to confusion over whether he wrote it or just performed it.
  • Because the Bee Gees wrote for both themselves and others, some of their compositions—like this one—are strongly associated with multiple artists over time.

TL;DR: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” is a Bee Gees song written by Barry and Robin Gibb, later made even more famous by Al Green’s cover.

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