While he wrote a lot of songs (usually with a handful of trusted colleagues), he didn't write all his hits! Here are 3 of Barry's biggest smashes as first recorded by the original songwriters!
My mom loved Manilow. As a kid and young adult, I thought he was so lame. Now that she's been gone nearly 20 years, his music has a certain comforting nostalgic quality to it. I'm still probably never going to put it on myself, but if it comes on the radio or someone else is playing it, I'm not complaining anymore.
Cool memory, Patrick. That's the power of music. My mom passed about 6 years ago, and as she introduced me to "The Golden Girls" (with its incredible writing to go with impeccable cast) during its first run, I happily remember her when I (often) see the re-runs! Their theme, BTW ("Thank You for Being a Friend"), was written by one Mr. Andrew Gold, a fabulous singer/songwriter/guitar player about whom I've been meaning to write...a lot!
In fact, Andrew did pop up in at least one of my recent articles (https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/inside-tracks-14-nathan-jones-kathy), as he produced and played piano on a particular cover version of a song I was featuring on an "Inside Tracks"! In a pic that's included, you'll find Andrew wearing the old Astros' rainbow jersey!🧢A Dodgers hat spoils the illusion, but you can't have everything!
Back to Manilow, I hope, that along with the warm memories of Mom, you're also gaining an appreciation for the talent and work that goes into the deceptively "simple" and catchy songs he rode to the top! In baseball parlance, and certainly speaking of Barry's arranging prowess, he was certainly a "heavy hitter"!!⚾Thanks, Patrick!
I doubt Manilow will ever really be my cup of tea, but I've definitely expanded my musical horizons as I've gotten older and have a greater appreciation for a much wider variety of music and the work that goes into creating it. And articles like this only add to it.
That's what I like to hear, Patrick! In the late '70s, while I was hanging with The Ramones and seeing The Sex Pistols in San Antonio, in one of their half-dozen US shows, I was also enamored of the musicianship it takes to craft a song the way a Manilow, say, did (was even seen at a couple of his concerts at the time, too)!
Whether you ever end up a Fanilow, or not, it's reassuring to hear my pulling back the curtain on Howie Diddit (how he did it!!) is helping you appreciate his talents! Stay tuned---Part 3 threatens to drop next week!🎼🎵🎶🎤
You betcha, Glenn! As I go over Legacy articles, renewing Spotify links, or otherwise cleaning 'em up, I update the @Glenn Cook thing Substack recently started ('cause that shout-out's been there!), so the clean-up is what brought about them "ringing your bell"! But, always happy to link to well-written related articles!
I love how deep and wide you dig into the histories of each song, even finding images of the LP labels to backup your esoterica! No one's gonna call you a shallow grave digger! I need to find some time to listen to all the other versions of the songs. Reading your posts (post seems like an insufficient word -- I'll think of a better one later...) deserves attention and time, both of which I....what was I saying? Oh look at the clock. Gotta run!
Thank you, Steve....your positive words and compliments mean a lot, especially from you, 'cause I respect your immersion into music. You're highlighting, though, what I've done so eagerly and easily, long before I was writing about it! The attention to detail, the voracious hunger for factoids and "who did this?" and "who did that?" in my articles are exactly what I was doing half-a-century ago, when I was loving'n'listening to the records!
In other words, the good news is...what I do doesn't even come close to work! Like Ringo says, I just "act naturally"! It's just that now, my OCD-Lite has a permanent purpose as I'm able to write it all down! This Barry thing is a perfect example...my late '80s mix-tape that started these "They Write the Songs" articles in the first place!
If I may whisper this in your ear (don't let it get around)....I'm particularly proud of my surmising Barry's rationale for doing a take of "I Made it Through the Rain" with Kenny & Shepperd's original lyrics. If all that's written somewhere, I never found it, but after the digging, I felt connected enough to roll the dice, and make that educated guess...a Plan B for release consideration, as well as gifting Gerard and Drey their Barry own personal Manilow recording!
BTW, I had that Kenny album at the time, and I never noticed til this week the difference in title/song spelling (adding "I" and spelling it "through")! Another insight to the attention to detail (Barry's OCD-Lite??!!) by Manilow!! Thanks again, Steve....all the best to your auntie and your dinged digit!!
Great article and, as always, tons of detailed and valuable information which I didn't know. I love what you said about this "surgical precision" of talented artists when covering songs of others (which I find goes hand in hand with being a good songwriter themselves too). Superb analysis!
Thanks, Andres! I appreciate your kind words! There had to be, at some point, at the beginning of Barry's career....he knew he could write, but he was also aware of his ability to arrange (what he was doing for Bette pre-Bell/Arista recording career)---there had to be his "light-bulb" moment where he realized if he kept on the lookout for other songwriters' material, he could widely expand his pool of material to record....and, he didn't have to hire an arranger!
He just surrounded himself with other experts (Ron Dante, his Arista prez, Clive, his coterie of collaborators), and the rest is history....and, not just a little math! I'm not sure there are many artists who, early on, attack their careers with the intelligence, foresight, and dogged determination....a plan....before they ultimately take a stumbling first eight steps wondering, "Gee, what went wrong?" Stay tuned........Part 3 next week!
Manilow > Mick Ronson > Bowie > Ian Hunter > Mott the Hoople...One of these things is not like the others. Love it :) It's like I had a premontion ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know.....I think we need to re-name Ian Hunter, Barely Manilow! That's what freaked me out during our Zoom...I knew I had just put the finishing touches on the Hunter/Barry piece....and, you, from out of nowhere!!👻Spooky!
But, his mere discovery of "Ships" seems to hint that he (and "his people") were constantly on the lookout for Manilow-able songs!! Would you believe a Part 3 next week?!?
Cool song....did you know that 2 members (Dean Daughtry and J.R. Cobb) of The Atlanta Rhythm Section were in The Classics IV, who originally recorded the song a dozen years before ARS (in 1967)? Both versions produced by Buddy Buie. There have been some interesting covers by ladies, which might make this a prime "Inside Tracks" consideration! Hmmm.....🎃
I didn't know that. I was tempted to link to the Dusty Springfield version though. I am almost certain that you have some interesting knowledge about Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE! (who is NOT related to Rick).
OK Son-Of-A Preacher Man is probably Dusty's most popular song. But the motorcycle momma from Sons of Anarchy TV show - Katey Segal (also the mom on Married with Children)... did a decent version of "Son of a Preacher Man": https://open.spotify.com/track/4udjjSPrTtwcbS678wrqkm?si=ebd40daef0db4aa1
"Ooh, you stumped me," said the newly-felled tree. I knew Sagal from "MWC," but don't know much about "SoA," or her recording Dusty's song! I knew Katey sang (she sang background for Dylan, Etta James, and Tanya Tucker...early '70s); in fact, she was one of Bette Midler's Harlettes (long after Manilow left and started Barry-ing others on the charts) in '78 and early '80s. She even sang on Gene Simmons' solo album, and behind Olivia Newton-John on one song ('85's "Soul Kiss"). Goodness! We've got more threads than a seamstress shop!🧵
I've always found Ms. Springfield fascinating, and not just because my mom had adopted the nickname "Dusty" in high school (and used it for the rest of her life)! "Dusty in Memphis" ('68, I believe) is a landmark album, and ends up on many august rags' all-time best lists!
Speaking of Rick, though, I met him once (he came in to my Glendale/L.A. record store, late '80 or early '81), just weeks before his "Working Class Dog" album and "Jessie's Girl" single made him unable to leave the house virtually anytime thereafter! I don't think I've written about that, yet....so, congrats for pulling one out o' me (not unlike a wanton surgeon....not to be confused with a wonton surgeon...he works in a Chinese restaurant, usually making soup)!🍲
It's tidbits like that (he said, shamefully self-promotingly), that come about in my twice-monthly GOLD PASS BONUS posts available only to PAID SUBSCRIBERS! Woo-hoo!
My mom loved Manilow. As a kid and young adult, I thought he was so lame. Now that she's been gone nearly 20 years, his music has a certain comforting nostalgic quality to it. I'm still probably never going to put it on myself, but if it comes on the radio or someone else is playing it, I'm not complaining anymore.
Cool memory, Patrick. That's the power of music. My mom passed about 6 years ago, and as she introduced me to "The Golden Girls" (with its incredible writing to go with impeccable cast) during its first run, I happily remember her when I (often) see the re-runs! Their theme, BTW ("Thank You for Being a Friend"), was written by one Mr. Andrew Gold, a fabulous singer/songwriter/guitar player about whom I've been meaning to write...a lot!
In fact, Andrew did pop up in at least one of my recent articles (https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/inside-tracks-14-nathan-jones-kathy), as he produced and played piano on a particular cover version of a song I was featuring on an "Inside Tracks"! In a pic that's included, you'll find Andrew wearing the old Astros' rainbow jersey!🧢A Dodgers hat spoils the illusion, but you can't have everything!
Back to Manilow, I hope, that along with the warm memories of Mom, you're also gaining an appreciation for the talent and work that goes into the deceptively "simple" and catchy songs he rode to the top! In baseball parlance, and certainly speaking of Barry's arranging prowess, he was certainly a "heavy hitter"!!⚾Thanks, Patrick!
I doubt Manilow will ever really be my cup of tea, but I've definitely expanded my musical horizons as I've gotten older and have a greater appreciation for a much wider variety of music and the work that goes into creating it. And articles like this only add to it.
That's what I like to hear, Patrick! In the late '70s, while I was hanging with The Ramones and seeing The Sex Pistols in San Antonio, in one of their half-dozen US shows, I was also enamored of the musicianship it takes to craft a song the way a Manilow, say, did (was even seen at a couple of his concerts at the time, too)!
Whether you ever end up a Fanilow, or not, it's reassuring to hear my pulling back the curtain on Howie Diddit (how he did it!!) is helping you appreciate his talents! Stay tuned---Part 3 threatens to drop next week!🎼🎵🎶🎤
Thanks for the shout out, Brad! Kilgore is a fascinating place.
You betcha, Glenn! As I go over Legacy articles, renewing Spotify links, or otherwise cleaning 'em up, I update the @Glenn Cook thing Substack recently started ('cause that shout-out's been there!), so the clean-up is what brought about them "ringing your bell"! But, always happy to link to well-written related articles!
I love how deep and wide you dig into the histories of each song, even finding images of the LP labels to backup your esoterica! No one's gonna call you a shallow grave digger! I need to find some time to listen to all the other versions of the songs. Reading your posts (post seems like an insufficient word -- I'll think of a better one later...) deserves attention and time, both of which I....what was I saying? Oh look at the clock. Gotta run!
Thank you, Steve....your positive words and compliments mean a lot, especially from you, 'cause I respect your immersion into music. You're highlighting, though, what I've done so eagerly and easily, long before I was writing about it! The attention to detail, the voracious hunger for factoids and "who did this?" and "who did that?" in my articles are exactly what I was doing half-a-century ago, when I was loving'n'listening to the records!
In other words, the good news is...what I do doesn't even come close to work! Like Ringo says, I just "act naturally"! It's just that now, my OCD-Lite has a permanent purpose as I'm able to write it all down! This Barry thing is a perfect example...my late '80s mix-tape that started these "They Write the Songs" articles in the first place!
If I may whisper this in your ear (don't let it get around)....I'm particularly proud of my surmising Barry's rationale for doing a take of "I Made it Through the Rain" with Kenny & Shepperd's original lyrics. If all that's written somewhere, I never found it, but after the digging, I felt connected enough to roll the dice, and make that educated guess...a Plan B for release consideration, as well as gifting Gerard and Drey their Barry own personal Manilow recording!
BTW, I had that Kenny album at the time, and I never noticed til this week the difference in title/song spelling (adding "I" and spelling it "through")! Another insight to the attention to detail (Barry's OCD-Lite??!!) by Manilow!! Thanks again, Steve....all the best to your auntie and your dinged digit!!
Great article and, as always, tons of detailed and valuable information which I didn't know. I love what you said about this "surgical precision" of talented artists when covering songs of others (which I find goes hand in hand with being a good songwriter themselves too). Superb analysis!
Thanks, Andres! I appreciate your kind words! There had to be, at some point, at the beginning of Barry's career....he knew he could write, but he was also aware of his ability to arrange (what he was doing for Bette pre-Bell/Arista recording career)---there had to be his "light-bulb" moment where he realized if he kept on the lookout for other songwriters' material, he could widely expand his pool of material to record....and, he didn't have to hire an arranger!
He just surrounded himself with other experts (Ron Dante, his Arista prez, Clive, his coterie of collaborators), and the rest is history....and, not just a little math! I'm not sure there are many artists who, early on, attack their careers with the intelligence, foresight, and dogged determination....a plan....before they ultimately take a stumbling first eight steps wondering, "Gee, what went wrong?" Stay tuned........Part 3 next week!
Fascinating stuff. Look forward to reading Part 3!
Manilow > Mick Ronson > Bowie > Ian Hunter > Mott the Hoople...One of these things is not like the others. Love it :) It's like I had a premontion ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know.....I think we need to re-name Ian Hunter, Barely Manilow! That's what freaked me out during our Zoom...I knew I had just put the finishing touches on the Hunter/Barry piece....and, you, from out of nowhere!!👻Spooky!
But, his mere discovery of "Ships" seems to hint that he (and "his people") were constantly on the lookout for Manilow-able songs!! Would you believe a Part 3 next week?!?
https://open.spotify.com/track/4GWQYgA00ta6S6mI9YXXif?si=268ae37a1e5645e9
Cool song....did you know that 2 members (Dean Daughtry and J.R. Cobb) of The Atlanta Rhythm Section were in The Classics IV, who originally recorded the song a dozen years before ARS (in 1967)? Both versions produced by Buddy Buie. There have been some interesting covers by ladies, which might make this a prime "Inside Tracks" consideration! Hmmm.....🎃
I didn't know that. I was tempted to link to the Dusty Springfield version though. I am almost certain that you have some interesting knowledge about Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE! (who is NOT related to Rick).
OK Son-Of-A Preacher Man is probably Dusty's most popular song. But the motorcycle momma from Sons of Anarchy TV show - Katey Segal (also the mom on Married with Children)... did a decent version of "Son of a Preacher Man": https://open.spotify.com/track/4udjjSPrTtwcbS678wrqkm?si=ebd40daef0db4aa1
"Ooh, you stumped me," said the newly-felled tree. I knew Sagal from "MWC," but don't know much about "SoA," or her recording Dusty's song! I knew Katey sang (she sang background for Dylan, Etta James, and Tanya Tucker...early '70s); in fact, she was one of Bette Midler's Harlettes (long after Manilow left and started Barry-ing others on the charts) in '78 and early '80s. She even sang on Gene Simmons' solo album, and behind Olivia Newton-John on one song ('85's "Soul Kiss"). Goodness! We've got more threads than a seamstress shop!🧵
I've always found Ms. Springfield fascinating, and not just because my mom had adopted the nickname "Dusty" in high school (and used it for the rest of her life)! "Dusty in Memphis" ('68, I believe) is a landmark album, and ends up on many august rags' all-time best lists!
Speaking of Rick, though, I met him once (he came in to my Glendale/L.A. record store, late '80 or early '81), just weeks before his "Working Class Dog" album and "Jessie's Girl" single made him unable to leave the house virtually anytime thereafter! I don't think I've written about that, yet....so, congrats for pulling one out o' me (not unlike a wanton surgeon....not to be confused with a wonton surgeon...he works in a Chinese restaurant, usually making soup)!🍲
It's tidbits like that (he said, shamefully self-promotingly), that come about in my twice-monthly GOLD PASS BONUS posts available only to PAID SUBSCRIBERS! Woo-hoo!
Springfield article alert, as part of a special collab last October: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/cuts-both-ways-1-balcony-weekend
I called my mom Dusty too. She never did housework..🙃