James Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 ...Weekend In New EnglandShipsSomewhere In The NightReady To Take A Chance AgainTryin To Get The FeelingLooks Like We Made ItWhen I Wanted YouEven NowSomewhere Down The RoadI Made It Through The RainMandyThese songs are Barry Manilow songs. They all were loved by, and moved millions of people (most importantly, James )Nuff said, and case closed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Marshall Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I don't mind Barry's stuff. Even his big band/standards album is OK. But has my life been improved by his contributions? No. Would I miss his songs if he had never recorded? No.To me there is nothing special about him. He is very accomplished at sitting right smack dab in the middle of the road. That doesn't make it for me. I need more oomph with my music.AND...David Cassidy's [along with backing vocals and a superb arrangement from Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston, who actually wrote the song and won the grammy] version of 'I Write the Songs' eats Manilow's version for breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks in between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzVQ24Ralno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Barry's done incredibly well over the course of 30+ years, and his recent resurgence of popularity certainly owes much to his very loyal fan base.James not to take away from Barry's list of accomplishments, but of the songs you listed, he was more of an interpreter than a songwriter. Weekend In New England - songwriter Randy EdelmanShips - songwriter Ian HunterSomewhere In The Night - songwriters Richard Kerr and Will JenningsReady To Take A Chance Again - songwriters Norman Gimbel, Charles FoxTryin To Get The Feeling - songwriters David PomeranzLooks Like We Made It - songwriters Richard Kerr and Will JenningsWhen I Wanted You - ?Even Now - songwriters Barry Manilow, Marty PanzerSomewhere Down The Road - songwriters Tom Snow, Cynthia WeilI Made It Through The Rain - songwriters Barry Manilow, Bruce Sussman, Bruce; Gerard Kenny, Jack Feldman, Drey ShepperdMandy - songwriters Scott English, Richard Kerr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 There are virtually no artists I like that don't write their own music. That's a basic prerequisite for me to get into an artist, at least as a rule. A couple exceptions are Elvis, and Barry Manilow. I don't care that Barry Manilow didn't write most his stuff, it's all Barry Manilow, and it's moved millions of music listeners out there.Nuff said, and case closed!!! (again) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 There are virtually no artists I like that don't write their own music. That's a basic prerequisite for me to get into an artist, at least as a rule. A couple exceptions are Elvis, and Barry Manilow. I don't care that Barry Manilow didn't write most his stuff, it's all Barry Manilow, and it's moved millions of music listeners out there.Nuff said, and case closed!!! (again) I've got no issues with artists who don't write their own music. Those songs in someone else's hands might not have sounded anywhere as good or "moved millions of music listeners." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 You can't forget about "Could It Be Magic"! One of his best!Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlesteve Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Bruce wrote I Write the Songs" inspired by Brian Wilson. Cassidy recorded it first and took it to #11 in the UK. After hearing Cassidy, Clive wanted Manilow to do it, he was reluctant, as he was more humble than the song comes across and was more about the inspiration, not autobiographical. Clive said you're recording it. He was right, it did ping.("Barry you better record it or I'll give it to the new kid, that Carmen guy" ;-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 James... what can I say! Another incredible thread. And Marvin, you talented, handsome musical genius... you are both right on with your comments on Barry!Let me add that Barry's first love was writing songs... Clive nixed so many of them, and TOLD Barry he needed to record songs he (Clive) believed would be hits... and they were. Clive's greatest strengh, for all his failings, was hitmaking!In Ultimate Manilow, he sings the songs his fans love to hear...I Made It Through The NIght is one of the most inspirational songs ever... which I could find a video singing it live.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN5vY1Gl5Ns&feature=related Songwriters: Manilow, Barry; Sussman, Bruce; Kenny, Gerard; Feldman, Jack; Shepperd, Drey;Here's a video that was shot the day after we were there to meet him. It starts out fuzzy, but then clears up... and he does a little of I Made It Through The Rain... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsbj_G7hAEw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Did I say I Made It Through The Night? ... I did that too, but of course the song is called I Made It Through The Rain!I get all farklempt when I talk about him!!!! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=161675&id=1663268975 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HT from Mo Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Barry isn't the only one who rarely records a song that he's written/co-written.On the "country" side of music, George Strait doesn't write the songs he sings. I don't know why that is but it works! I don't know the exact number of #1 hits he's had over the last 15+ years but there are quite a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Barry's fans loved everything he wrote... while he recorded the songs, they weren't big hits... but like someone said previously, his core fan base is so large they sold albums... big time. He has a huge "marketing machine" behind him now that promotes to the huge fan base. I swore I'd never join the fan club, but this year, after 30 years... I gave in. I'm officially a Fanilow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelley Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I love Barry Manilow too..and I don't care who writes the songs...as long as he sings them One of my favorite song Eric sings is "Hungry eyes"..and I know he didn't write that....it's the way the song is sung that matters to me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Barbara, my ex-husband worked Barry's concert in Chicago a few months ago and he said all of Barry's roadies, (the ones that always travel with him, mind you) call him...are you ready? "Barely Man-enough". I am a Fanilow and Ava and I are excited about seeing his show with you. She's obsessing about dressing like Carmen Miranda. Peanut (Lola) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnO Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Christ!!!!Tommy....which musical stiff should we dredge up next that'll result in a thread like this?Liberace, perhaps? Peter Allen? Cannibal Corpse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 "All The Time" is a great song that is written by Manilow. Not even close to being a hit for him, but terrific song, nonetheless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Tim, you're right, I was remiss in leaving out "Could It Be Magic"..that's a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Christ!!!!Tommy....which musical stiff should we dredge up next that'll result in a thread like this?Liberace, perhaps? Peter Allen? Cannibal Corpse? My thoughts exactly...Sorry James! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Barry has written (most) of these commercial jingles that we are all familiar with or has sang on them...State Farm Insurance (like a good neighbor...)Band-Aid (stuck on me)Feelin' free (Pepsi)Grab a bucket of chicken (KFC)McDonald's You deserve a break today (As long as you don't call 911)Feelin' free (Pepsi). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 May I say that on top of his greatness... his foundation the Manilow Fund For Health and Hope does a lot of good. Fans can get a meet and greet by donating $1200 to the fund and meet their guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Remember these? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJyFq9KMpzk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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