If you close your eyes and think about 1975, you probably hear the heavy thud of disco or the soft-rock harmonies of the Eagles. But right in the middle of that transition, Barry Manilow dropped a track that felt like a shot of pure adrenaline. It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow isn't just a song; it's a frantic, celebratory, and slightly chaotic masterpiece that defined the early peak of Manilowmania.
It's catchy. Like, dangerously catchy.
People love to poke fun at the "Fanilow" phenomenon. They think of the sequins and the big hair. But if you actually strip away the kitsch, you're left with a piece of songwriting that is deceptively complex. Barry wasn't just writing jingles anymore. He was crafting the sound of a generation trying to find something to smile about after a pretty rough start to the decade.
The Story Behind the Sunshine
Before he was the King of the Copa, Barry was a guy who knew how to sell a product. He wrote the "You deserve a break today" theme for McDonald's. He wrote for State Farm. Honestly, that background in advertising is exactly why It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow works so well. It has that "earworm" quality that sticks in your brain and refuses to leave.
The song was the opening track on his second album, Barry Manilow II. That's the same record that gave us "Mandy." While "Mandy" was the slow-burn tearjerker that proved he could sing a ballad, "It's a Miracle" was the track that proved he could lead a party. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, but its impact on the Adult Contemporary charts was even bigger, hitting number one.
Think about the lyrics for a second. It’s about a guy who’s been drifting, feeling a bit lost, and then—boom. A miracle. He finds the person who makes the world stop spinning in circles. It’s simple. It’s relatable. It’s exactly what the world needed in '75.
Why the Composition is Smarter Than You Think
Musically, the song is a bit of a chameleon. It starts with those bright, staccato piano chords. It’s very "show tunes meets pop." That makes sense because Barry’s roots were in the theater and the bathhouses of New York where he accompanied Bette Midler.
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The song structure doesn't just sit there. It builds.
You’ve got the brass section kicking in, giving it a big-band energy that most pop songs of the era lacked. Then there's the tempo. It’s fast. If you try to sing along to the verses without catching your breath, you’ll realize just how much wordplay Barry is cramming into those bars. He’s talking about "going through the motions" and "drifting on an ocean," and the rhythm mirrors that frantic energy of someone who has finally found their lifeline.
The Adrienne Factor
You can't talk about Barry's mid-70s output without mentioning Adrienne Anderson. She was his primary lyricist during this golden era. While Barry handled the melodies and the sweeping arrangements, Adrienne brought the heart.
Their collaboration on It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow is a textbook example of how a composer and a lyricist can elevate each other. Barry’s melody is triumphant, but Adrienne’s lyrics acknowledge the struggle that came before the miracle. It makes the payoff feel earned. It’s not just "I’m happy." It’s "I was miserable, and now I’m not, and that is a literal miracle."
The Live Performance Legacy
If you’ve ever seen a clip of Barry performing this live—maybe at the Uris Theatre or during his legendary 1977 TV special—you know he doesn't just stand there. He sells it. He’s sweating, he’s pointing at the audience, and he’s usually wearing something that reflects a disturbing amount of stage lighting.
There’s a specific energy to a Manilow concert. It’s communal.
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When the opening chords of "It's a Miracle" hit, the room changes. It’s one of those rare songs that can bridge the gap between a grandmother and a twenty-something. Why? Because the feeling of relief—the "miracle" of finding a connection—is universal.
Interestingly, the song often served as his opener. It’s the ultimate "I’m here, you’re here, let’s go" track. It sets a bar for the rest of the night that most performers would struggle to hit.
Debunking the "Cheesy" Myth
Music critics in the 70s were notoriously mean to Barry Manilow. They called his music saccharine. They called it overproduced. They basically treated him like the villain of "real" rock and roll.
But here’s the thing: they were wrong.
Writing a hit song that stays in the public consciousness for over fifty years is incredibly difficult. If it were easy, everyone would do it. It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow has survived because it’s built on a foundation of solid music theory and genuine emotion. It doesn't care if it’s "cool." It only cares if it’s true.
When you listen to the production—produced by Barry and Ron Dante (the voice behind the Archies' "Sugar, Sugar")—you hear a level of craft that’s astounding. The layering of the background vocals, the way the bass line drives the chorus, and that iconic "miracle" refrain... it's a masterclass in pop production.
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The Modern Resurgence
Lately, there’s been a shift. Younger generations are discovering Barry through TikTok and streaming playlists. They don't have the baggage of the 70s "rock vs. pop" wars. They just hear a great song.
"It's a Miracle" has found a second life in movies and commercials, often used to signify a moment of sudden realization or joy. It’s become a shorthand for "everything is finally going right."
In a world that feels increasingly cynical, there’s something rebellious about unironically loving a song this joyful. It’s a middle finger to the idea that music has to be dark or edgy to be meaningful. Sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can do is remind someone that miracles—small, personal ones—actually happen.
Specific Details You Might Have Missed
- The Single Edit: The version you hear on the radio is often shorter than the album version, which clocks in at nearly four minutes. The album version has more room to breathe, especially in the instrumental breaks.
- The Key Change: Like many Manilow hits, the song utilizes a key change to ramp up the emotion toward the end. It’s a classic songwriting trick, but Barry executes it with surgical precision.
- The Cover Art: The Barry Manilow II album cover features Barry in a denim jacket, looking surprisingly rugged compared to his later "superstar" looks. It reminds you that at this point, he was still just a guy from Brooklyn trying to make it.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track Today
If you want to experience It's a Miracle by Barry Manilow the way it was intended, you need to turn it up. This isn't background music. This is "singing in the shower at the top of your lungs" music.
Listen for the transition between the verse and the chorus. Notice how the tension builds and then releases perfectly. It’s a physical sensation. You can feel the lift in your chest.
Honestly, we could all use a bit more of that right now.
Actionable Steps for the Manilow Enthusiast
If this song has piqued your interest, don't stop here. The 70s was a goldmine for this specific style of high-energy pop.
- Check out the live version from 'Live' (1977). It captures the peak of Manilowmania and shows why he was such a powerhouse performer.
- Compare the production to Ron Dante’s other work. You’ll start to hear the "Dante touch" in the crispness of the vocals and the bright, poppy percussion.
- Create a "Pure Joy" playlist. Put "It's a Miracle" at the very top. Add some early Elton John, maybe some ABBA, and some Earth, Wind & Fire. Observe how your mood changes after thirty minutes.
- Read up on Adrienne Anderson. She wrote the lyrics for many of Barry's hits, including "Could It Be Magic." Understanding the poet behind the pop star changes how you hear the songs.
Ultimately, the miracle isn't just in the lyrics. The miracle is that a song written five decades ago can still make a person feel like they're walking on air. That’s the power of good songwriting. That’s the power of Barry.