The Top Ten Songs of Barry Manilow: Can’t Miss Titles for Pop’s Most Romantic Crooner
Barry Manilow is one of the top five selling artists of all times. So, choosing ten songs isn’t easy. Here are my nominations:
1. “Weekend in New England”
This song not only belongs on this list….it also belongs on any list of the top ten romantic songs of all time. Manilow’s voice is pure on all the tracks I’ve ever heard of this number, even on live versions. Known for its smoothness, Manilow’s voice actually cracks in a few spots here, letting emotion show through. This is a great song for long country drives or long bubble baths. Just pour yourself a glass of wine and loose yourself in the bridge: “I can feel a change coming. I feel the wind blow. I feel brave and daring. I feel my love flow…Now tell me, when will our eyes meet? when can I touch you? when will this strong yearning end? And when, will I see you again.”
2. “Read ’em and Weep”
Newer fans may have missed one. The song was a top 10 pop song around 1984. (Believe it or not, at this stage of his career Manilow was actually compared to a young prince.) The song tells of a painful break-up as carried out on stager. The heart of this song is that even the most powerful actors don’t need words to convey emotion. It’s in the eyes and all that’s needed is to read and weep. And it ends with one of the most regretful lines in Manilow’s entire repreitore: “For all the hours we’ll be spending alone; For the dreams we’ll ignore; And all those promises we promised to keep,
They won’t be kept anymore.”
3. “Could It Be Magic”
This was Manilow’s first big hit. (“Mandy” actually came later.) A strong classical intoduction still managed to get this a lot of airplay back in the 70s. I chose it for my wedding and, hey, that’s reason enough to put it on this list!
4. “Here Comes The Night”
…and here I go out of my mind again” This is the title song from a 1986 album/cassette. The album is better known for Manilow’s excellent cover of “Memories” from Cats. The entire album is worth the investment, but this song in particular still haunts 20 years after the first time I heard it. This isn’t necessarily a sing-along song. Instead, close your eyes and imagine your body gracefully interpretting the emotion on an empty skating rink lit with a solo spotlight.
5. “Looks Like We Made It”
This was a No. 1 hit back in 1977. An oxymoron of sorts, the celebratory title belies another Manilow heartache. “Looks like we made it…left each other on the way to another love…looks like we made it….or I thought so till today until you were there, everywhere.” This album was the first hit off his “This One’s for You” album.
6. “It’s a Miracle”
The best upbeat Manilow song to date. You can’t sit down while this sit is playing. You’ve got to dance. For many years, he opened his show with a combination of this and New York City Rhythm. You can hear this amazing combination on his Live album.
7. “Somwhere in the Night”
Hey, if you’re a guy looking to put your significant other in the mood and this song doesn’t help, maybe it’s time for a different significant other. Long before hip hop made the beauty of a long-anticipated rendevous way too casual, this song celebrated the closeness of lovers. Great for slow dancing!!!
8. “Somewhere Down the Road”
People sometimes make the wrong assumption that all Manilow singles are devoted to lost love and the agony that follows. Okay – that’s true in some of them. This song, though, adds another: hope. “The right love at the wrong time…but our paths are gonna cross again…cause you belong with me.” Beauitufl music, but bad advice perhaps.
9. “Summer of 78”
This is the title song from an album celebrating music from the summer of ’78. Regardless of rather your particular summer was ’78, ’89, ’92 or even 2005, this song is a beautiful ode to summer carelessness and love. (By the way the album includes covers of many songs that were popular during 1978, including “I Go Crazy.”
10. “Ready to Take A Chance Again”
A beautiful song, Manilow celebrates the possibility that he’s ready to love again. It’s an anthem for those who have divorced, broken up or moved out everywhere. It truly is a milestone when you’re ready to take a chance again. This is also known as the love theme from the 1978 movie, “Fowl Play.” It’s worth the cost of the rental just to hear Barry singing while Goldie Hawn drives along California’s Big Sur.
