Hello and welcome everyone to this retrospective collection of my music. As I listened to this compilation, my life actually flashed before my eyes! Let me tell you what I thought about as each song played:
I Write The Songs: I remember hearing the demo of this song and thinking, "I can't record this song. Everyone will think I'm this incredible ego-maniac! I mean, I AM this incredible ego-maniac, but who wants to tell that to the world?" Well, Clive Davis, president of Arista Records, convinced me that it would be a number one record for me and that no one would think that I was an ego-maniac if I recorded it. Besides, the song wasn't about me anyway.
He was right about the hit record!
One Voice: I actually wrote this song in a dream. I wrote the music and lyrics while in bed and then when I was done, went to the piano, pressed the 'record' button on the tape machine and just sang and played it. It was a very surreal experience.
The Old Songs: Written by David Pomeranz (who wrote the beautiful "Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again") and Buddy Kaye. It's fitting that Buddy would write a love song to old love songs since he's written so many classics himself.
I Don't Wanna Walk Without You Baby: I loved recording this Frank Loesser classic. My mother used to sing this to me when I was a child.
Some Good Things Never Last: I recorded this lovely song on the "Barry Manilow" album in 1989. This duet version with Debra Byrd is the way we perform it in concert. Isn't Debra a fine singer?
Somewhere Down The Road: This song, written by Cynthia Weill and Tom Snow, is one of my favorites.
When I Wanted You: My "teed-off song!". I get a lot of daily frustrations out whenever I sing this one!
Stay: I wrote this one with my friends and then back-up singers, Kevin and James. We were always surprised at how well it went over considering no one had ever heard it before.
Even Now: Marty Panzer and I wrote this one and it's another one of my favorites. It never fails to affect me when I sing it.
Read 'Em And Weep: So many words! Jim Steinman is an incredibly talented man. I think he wrote and produced a find sounding record. Don't you?
Somewhere In The Night: Helen Reddy had had a big hit with this song and I resisted recording it because it was a good record. Clive loved it though and encouraged me to do it.
I Made It Through The Rain: This song was originally written about a musician who stands up for his music against all odds and against the critics (I wonder WHO that could be about). The lyrics went: "I made it through the rain, I kept my songs protected....etc." We changed around so that it would affect more people than just musicians.
Daybreak: Adrienne and I wrote this song in Mill Valley, California, on a sunny day overlooking a beautiful green dell. Adrienne was miserable because she missed New York and I was a wreck because my new fame was overwhelming me. And that's how you write uplifting songs!
Please Don't Be Scared: One of the most important songs I've ever sung. I once told Mindy Sterling that I thought she was given the gift of songwriting in order to write this song for the world to hear.
Looks Like We Made It: This is a deceptive song. The title sounds very uplifting and positive, but the song is about an unhappy romance.
Some Kind Of Friend: Up tempo! Aggressive! Rock 'n' Roll! Finally.
Bermuda Triangle: This was another fun song to write. It was also fun to perform this one live.
Mandy: Each year that I sing "Mandy", it becomes more and more emotional for me, because "Mandy" was my first girl, so to speak.
If I Should Love Again: A little known song, but a favorite of mine.
All The Time: I received more letters about this song than any in my career. I'm very proud of it.
Copacabana (At The Copa): When we wrote this song, we had a ball. Who woulda' thought it would become the most successful song I've ever had.
Keep Each Other Warm: A song for all time. Listen to the lyrics and think about our world. I sing it as a love song to the planet these days.
Weekend In New England: One of the most romantic songs I've ever sung. I felt like Nelson Eddy singing to Jeannette MacDonald when I recorded it!
Lonely Together: My one attempt at leaning a little towards country music. It's a sweet song.
Can't Smile Without You: One of my favorite productions. I love how it builds and builds to a vaudeville type ending.
Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again: This is a gorgeous song. There's a beautiful bridge that we had to eliminate for the sake of timing. When I sing it in person, I always try to include David's bridge.
Could It Be Magic: Another song I'm extremely proud of.
Brooklyn Blues: A very personal song. Eddie Arkin's arrangement is stunning.
Who Needs To Dream: The "big ballad" from "Copacabana" the movie. Annette O'Toole (who played Lola) cried real tears when I sang this song to her. I was so moved.
Ready To Take A Chance Again: This theme song from "Foul Play" was a thrill to do. I loved slowing it down right before the first chorus so that the music matched the film's slow pull back.
If I Can Dream: I believe the words to this song. I hope you do too.
Ships: Ian Hunter's version is very different. It's a great song and works any way you do it.
This One's For You: One of my favorites. It's a love song that can be sung to anyone you love. Sometimes I sing it with my Grandmother in mind.
London: My love song to one of my favorite towns. Ah! London "is it fair that I miss you so much?"
So there you have it. Fifteen years of music and memories. Thank you for being there with me. I hope you've had as much fun as I have. Here's to the next fifteen!
