Top Ten Barry Manilow Songs
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Top Ten Barry Manilow Songs
Barry Manilow is one of my favorite pop artists, and one of the more underrated ones these days. Surely, he has a lot of songs, and many of them are similar and bland, but those true classics of his are phenomenal, and some are simply masterpieces how majestic they are. So without further ado, here are top ten of his songs in my opinion along with three honorable mentions.
10. The Old Songs
This is one of the more repetitive of Manilow’s songs for sure as the refrain is repeated similarly a bit too much, but still it’s a strong chorus, and I particularly like the lyrics and the overall sweet tone to this song which gets it this tenth spot.
9. Looks Like We Made It
Another one of his songs which get really repetitive upon more viewings, Looks Like We Made It still had to be on this list as it’s one of his more popular and more memorable outputs with a particularly striking, well written lyrics.
8. My Moonlight Memories of You
My Moonlight Memories of You is one of the most romantic numbers on my list and surely one of the most charming and heartwarming with a particularly sweet beat to it, great lyrics and it’s very memorable in the end.
7. Copacabana
I know that this might seem like a low placement, but that’s because I deem other five songs better. Still, Copacabana, though overlong, is very much a classic from this singer which is much different in style as it’s very quick in tempo, highly entertaining and breezy. It’s iconic by now and quite unforgettable in its Latin feel.
6. Where Are They Now
Where Are They Now is by far the most purely underrated number on my list, the one that most people forget about, but I did not, and I place it this high because it’s simply so potent and powerful in its chorus and absolutely moving lyrics.
5. Mandy
This is another placement that is a bit controversial as Mandy is considered almost unanimously to be the best song he’s ever put out, but I personally find four songs better than this one. Still, Mandy is a classic in particular for how damn romantic, moving it is. It’s a great example of a terrific, successful ballad in every way – from the lyrics to the singing to the rhythm.
4. Stay
One of the more underappreciated numbers on this list is Stay, a number which surely isn’t amazing, but it’s downright catchy in its chorus and a lot of fun. It’s one of Barry’s many ballads that really work.
3. Can’t Smile Without You
How can anyone not like Can’t Smile Without You? This song is infinitely enjoyable and can be listened to countless times without ever getting boring. It’s so damn sweet in nature and wonderful lyrics. It is also a very catchy, perfectly sung song with a very memorable chorus to it that never gets old.
2. Here Comes the Night
The most eighties-sounding song coming from Manilow is Here Comes the Night. It’s a perfect 80s number in every regard as not only is it extremely catchy, but it’s also grand in approach and execution with some of the best singing present from the singer. It’s a shame he didn’t produce more such songs.
1. I Write the Songs
This is it. My number one choice. I Write the Songs is a song about music itself and how beautiful and important it is to all the people in the world. It’s music personified, and thus the lyrics become meaningful and deep. But the singing from Barry Manilow here is majestic and so beautiful plus the song itself is wonderful in every beat. That final chorus gets me chills every time that I hear it. Literally, it produces chills. Needless to say, it’s so amazing that I for the life of me cannot understand how more people do not understand it is his magnum opus. But it’s more than that – it is in my opinion one of the best pop as well as any songs of all time.
Honorable Mentions:
Keep Each Other Warm – This song is more on the forgettable side, but it’s so well sung per usual by Barry plus it also features some very nice beats here and there.
Because It’s Christmas – This Christmas number is very sweet and easily the finest of his many holiday songs that he’s produced over the years.
Could It Be Magic – This number is also quite solid, if not great. I liked its lyrics and a very memorable, more quieter tone to it.