If you think Barry Manilow is just "that guy who sang about Lola at the Copa," you’re missing about 90% of the story. Honestly, the man is a machine. He has charted over 50 Top 40 singles on the Adult Contemporary charts. That's not just luck; it's a relentless grasp on what makes a melody stick in your brain for decades. People like to call it "schmaltzy," but let's be real—the music industry is built on the kind of emotional connection Manilow mastered before most modern pop stars were born.
His discography is a massive, sprawling beast. We’re talking about a career that started with commercial jingles—yes, he wrote the State Farm "Like a good neighbor" tune—and evolved into massive stadium anthems.
The Big Heavy Hitters: A Barry Manilow List of Songs You Already Know
You can’t talk about Barry without the "Big Three." These are the songs that define him, whether he wrote them or just made them legendary.
- Mandy (1974): This was his first Number 1. Fun fact: it was originally called "Brandy" when Scott English recorded it, but Barry changed it to avoid confusion with the song "Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. It’s a masterclass in the build-up. It starts with just a piano and ends with a full-on orchestral explosion.
- I Write the Songs (1975): The ultimate irony? He didn’t write it. Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys did. But Barry’s version became the definitive one. It’s a meta-anthem about the spirit of music itself.
- Copacabana (At the Copa) (1978): This is the one everyone knows the lyrics to after two drinks. It’s a tragic story set to a disco beat. Lola, Tony, Rico—it’s basically a three-minute soap opera. It even won him a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
The Power Ballads That Defined an Era
Beyond the massive hits, Barry’s mid-to-late 70s run was incredible. He specialized in what I call the "crescendo ballad."
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Could It Be Magic is a weird, beautiful hybrid. It’s based on Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor. It’s moody, it’s long (the original album version is over eight minutes), and it feels more like a fever dream than a pop song. Then you have Looks Like We Made It, which is actually quite a sad song if you listen to the lyrics. It’s not about a couple staying together; it’s about two people who have found success apart but realize they might have missed out on each other.
- Weekend in New England (1976) – One of his most vocally demanding tracks.
- Even Now (1978) – Written with Marty Panzer, this one hits hard for anyone who’s ever had "the one that got away."
- Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again (1975) – Pure 70s soft rock gold.
- Ready to Take a Chance Again (1978) – This came from the movie Foul Play and landed him an Oscar nomination.
The Deep Cuts: What Real Fans Listen To
If you want to sound like an expert, you need to look past the Greatest Hits albums. Manilow’s 1984 album 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe is a total curveball. It’s a jazz record recorded live in one take. No overdubbing. No safety net. Songs like "When October Goes" (with lyrics by the legendary Johnny Mercer) show a sophisticated, smoky side of his voice that the radio hits usually hid.
And don't sleep on Ships from 1979. It’s a poignant song about the strained relationship between a father and son. It’s much more grounded and less "glitzy" than his usual fare.
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The Jingles: The Secret Hits
Before he was a superstar, Barry was the king of the 30-second hook. He wrote the "You deserve a break today" music for McDonald's. He wrote "I am stuck on Band-Aid." He was paid $500 for the State Farm jingle and never got a cent of residuals, even though it’s still used today.
"I learned the most about music working in the jingle industry," Manilow once said. "It was the best music college I could ever imagine."
He often performs a "Very Strange Medley" (VSM) during his live shows where he rolls through these commercial hits. It’s a self-aware nod to his roots that the audience absolutely loves.
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The Modern Era and Concept Albums
In the 2000s and 2010s, Barry pivoted to "The Greatest Songs of the..." series. He covered the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. These kept him relevant on the charts, making him the first artist since 1981 to have two albums in the top two positions in the same year.
But his original work didn't stop. 15 Minutes (2011) is a concept album about the pitfalls of fame, leaning into a more modern pop-rock sound. Then there’s My Dream Duets (2014), where he used technology to "sing" with deceased legends like Judy Garland and Whitney Houston. Kinda eerie? Maybe. But technically impressive.
Actionable Insights for New Listeners
If you're just starting your Manilow journey, don't just hit shuffle on a random playlist. Try this:
- Start with the 1978 Greatest Hits double album. It captures the peak of "Manilow-mania" and contains the versions of the songs that actually played on the radio.
- Listen to 2:00 AM Paradise Cafe in the dark. It's a vibe. It proves he's a musician's musician, not just a pop star.
- Watch a live performance. Whether it's a classic 70s special or his recent Vegas residency footage, Barry is an entertainer first. The songs make more sense when you see the theatricality he brings to them.
The barry manilow list of songs is more than just a trip down memory lane. It's a study in craftsmanship. Whether you love the drama or find it a bit much, you can't deny the man knows how to write—or at least pick—a hook that lasts forever.