WHAT A STORY!| FIRST TIME HEARING Barry Manilow - Copacabana REACTION

[@robertg7396]

Omg, Amber is so adorable. Watching her chair dance with the biggest grin was priceless. Meanwhile, Tony is bleeding out in the corner. 💃😂

[@jeanstrickland2445]

That was hilarious 😂 😂

[@robertg7396]

@@jeanstrickland2445 absolutely! She was having the time of her life. 😄

[@willdwyer6782]

And meanwhile State Farm Insurance and Old Spice are still using Barry's jingles on their TV commercials after all these years.

[@scapito]

@@willdwyer6782 since 1971 for State Farm, he got a flat $500 for that one.

[@michaelcarey8388]

I admit...I low-key crush on Amber. lol

[@bowwowbuddy]

The extra-long music break between the second and third verses served two purposes. First of all, this is a disco song, so it was time to dance! Second, this was one of Barry Manilow's big production numbers when he did live shows. He pulled out all the stops, feathers, sequins, dancing girls, and then some. (And I could watch Amber smiling ear to ear and doing her disco mambo shimmy-shake for days!)

[@michelepaccione8806]

It also added dramatic tension, since we don’t know who shot who yet.

[@mikey7046]

My mom was a HUGE Manilow fan and I took her to a concert after her and my dad divorced, I really thought I would hate it, but he put on an incredible show for the late 80s technology and most importantly mom loved it.

[@ktrsBklyn]

Extended dance mix, probably, not the radio version ...?

[@helenstravis3834]

I got to see him perform this song as an encore. There were palm trees and he wore a Ricky Ricardo ruffled satin shirt. It was fabulous!

[@raesmith145]

A complete Broadway/ westend musical was built around this song in the 1990s. Also a film was made in the 80s. I had the pleasure of seeing the production at the prince of Wales theatre the westend London. I ended up deliriously happy at midnight that evening, and purchased the cast cd at H .M.V. in picadilly circus.

[@matthewenies3668]

Storytelling was a big genre of pop music in the 70s. One of Barry’s best hits was Mandy in 1975

[@jeanninemiller6584]

When I was in junior high I wanted to change my name to Mandy

[@Kckier]

I named a dog & rabbit Mandy!

[@1anmagnus]

Weirder still it was a cover of Scott English's Brandy

[@kathyastrom1315]

As a fan of the tv series Angel, I can’t think of “Mandy” without hearing David Boreanaz’s character butchering it at a karaoke bar.

[@stephenhanft1226]

My current dog I named Mandy after the Barry Manilow song.

[@woodchucknation]

I Made It Through The Rain and Can’t Smile Without You. Two more classics from Barry Manilow.

[@robertg7396]

Barry is such a guilty pleasure for me. One of my favorites by him is "Even Now". 😊

[@jordancrosno9711]

Mine too! So many good ones, “The Old Songs” one of my favs.

[@acornsucks2111]

what Barry?

[@robertg7396]

@@acornsucks2111 the Barry they were listening to? 🤦

[@gayleeidson6724]

Yes !!!! We played Even Now and Copacabana in our 1979-80 field show in H.S. Marching Band !!!!

[@NavvyMom]

@@gayleeidson6724 So cool! Any chance there's an old VHS of it floating around somewhere that an alumnus could post on YT?

[@scm021374]

He's got tons of hits. Weekend in New England is one of my favorites.

[@jenl3162]

I had to scroll too far for this! What a great tune that is.

[@amyd6591]

I recently rediscovered that beautiful song from my childhood! ❤️

[@RIXRADvidz]

Barry Manilow touched every level of society back in the 60's and 70's, creating many of the hum along tunes that go with your favorite commercials. Pianist for Bette Midler in her burgeoning career, studio musician, Head Liner, Super Mega Star! Musical Icon. He sparks Joy in People when he's on Stage. a miracle a true blue spectacle

[@NavvyMom]

Speaking of Bette Midler, have they reacted to "The Rose" yet?

[@newmoon766]

I went to a live concert of his on a date in high school, in 1976. He did a medley of those commercial jingles. 😄

[@dawnmarieallenkent2495]

VERY STRANGE MELODY I'd the name of the song where Barry sings all the commercial songs he wrote...fun song!

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

"I am stuck on Band-aids and they are stuck on me", "You deserve a break today", ok he wrote them, now get them out of your head.

[@mauramanning852]

I saw the Divine Miss M in San Francisco back in the mid 70's. Barry wasn't playing for her back then, unfortunately. I had friends who caught them on the gay bath house scene, though. Very fun, explicit show, I was told. When I saw her, she was in her mermaid stage. 🙃

[@sharonlabrecque1655]

Fun great song to dance to.

[@dananichols349]

The juxtaposition between having such upbeat music and such shocking and depressing lyrics are what makes this such an oddly satisfying song.

[@janleonard3101]

It's such melodrama! My sister and I used to act this out when we were kids and we never thought about it being sad or traumatic. It was more like a campy, fun B movie. 💃

[@graciesmom1477]

Barry Manilow was one of the biggest singers at the time. I owned so many of his and Elton John's cassettes. My mother was even crazy for Barry.

[@lifewuzonceezr]

We are called Fanilow's ;)

[@dansomman1896]

Cassettes!!!!! Haven't heard that word in a long long time

[@stevehamilton8824]

Such a huge hit in the 70's. Barry Manilow was a monster at the time and wrote so many hits for himself and others. The Copacabana was a real nightclub that existed. It was in NY City that was run by mob boss, Frank Costello. The club was Latin themed but served Chinese food, yes, very odd. This was late 60's-early 70's

[@jaimeduncan6167]

Hey thanks, I had no idea about that part. I was assuming it was a place in Havana. This prompt me to investigate. I found this in the Wiki : The song was inspired by a conversation between Manilow and Sussman at the Copacabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro when they discussed whether there had ever been a song called "Copacabana". After returning to the US, Manilow - who, in the 1960s, had been a regular visitor to the Copacabana nightclub in New York City - suggested that Sussman and Feldman write the lyrics to a story song for him. They did so, and Manilow supplied the music.[1]

[@timothygil1]

They actually had several locations and would draw in singers of the time to perform, it also was a heavy influence on the "I Love Lucy" TV show and her husband Ricky's club the Tropicana!

[@eileenszudejko3455]

There was a Copa..in Ohio Cleveland... We used to pass it, when heading to my grandma

[@HappierNowe]

My wife’s grandfather was a chef at the Copa

[@RobertBreedon-c3b]

It is in Goodfellas

[@seanelston5694]

Just saw Manilow in concert 6 days ago in Nashville!! 79 years old and still making packed stadiums blow up!! For suggestions.. he's so diverse.. I Write The Songs, Trying to Get the Feeling Again, Even Now, Brooklyn Blues, Let's Hang On, Who's Been Sleepin' in My Bed, I Made it Through the Rain.. and really.. all that is just a start

[@ladydawgfan4832]

Now I feel old! Barry Manilow was the first concert for me and my best friend Amy back in 1978. We were 14 so we had to buy an extra ticket for her Dad. It was at Ravinia Festival outside of Chicago. We had crappy seats and couldn't really see anything, but we could hear the show perfectly so we had a blast regardless.

[@Mirrorgirl492]

Oh wow, really? That's fantastic. What good luck you have to have seen him perform.

[@BarryGGould]

could it be magic is fantastic

[@starshake8998]

Mandy

[@surlechapeau]

Jay &Amber, You'll love his "I Write The Songs" and "Looks Like We Made It"!!!

[@izzonj]

Just remember that Barry didn't write, "I Write the Songs."

[@alhollywood6486]

There may be a C45 tape with me singing all of Barry's hits, but you'll never get it out of me.

[@shanedesselle2590]

Yes! I Write the Songs!

[@rogervondrasek5677]

I love the irony that singer/songwriter Barry Manilow's signature song I Write The Songs wasn't written by him.

[@dirtcop11]

The Copacabana was a nightclub in New York and was named after the Copacabana in Havana, Cuba. The drums you hear are Conga drums, they are tall whereas bongos are short. A fun fact is that the name Lola in the Philippines means "grandmother."

[@willdwyer6782]

1978. Barry had three top ten singles that year. This one only made it to number 8. His biggest hit in '78 was Can't Smile Without You.

[@scapito]

I love seeing him perform Can't Smile Without You.

[@goldilox369]

What? How? I'm lost. This is my favorite Barry Manilow song. But "Can't Smile Without You" is priceless in Hellboy 2. 😊

[@FeaturingRob]

Barry Manilow was really inspired by Broadway musicals, so he loves to tell stories...and 'Copacabana' is a dark tale, in spite of its party-time vibe. One of the reasons I love this song and Barry Manilow. In fact, he has tried to turn this song into a full-fledged stage musical...but it tanked pretty quick. The one thing he has never conquered was Broadway as a composer. "Ready To Take A Chance Again", "Weekend In New England", "I Write The Songs", and "This One's For You" are just a few favorites of mine.

[@marybaillie8907]

I found Barry Manilow's Greatest Hits CD in my late parents collection I inherited. It soon became my favourite housework CD, with this song my favourite. Who couldn't fall for the great rhythm in this song? Barry's vocals so mesmerizing, with the wonderful full band just swinging to greatness. Fabulous memory, complete with bongos. Great reaction, loved it. So much fun. 🎷🎸🎹🎺🎻🥁🎵🎵 Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️❤️ 🇨🇦 🇨🇦

[@janekayser-alexander5790]

I'm pretty sure I have the vinyl album somewhere in my house.

[@gayleeidson6724]

I have that Greatest Hits album on vinyl still ( I'm 57) . I'm so happy that you are enjoying their favorite 🎵🎶 music while doing your housework ! I like to put on Stevie Nicks, Yanni, or REO Speedwagon while I'm cleaning. Next time I will try Barry !!!

[@juliewhite7469]

One of my girlfriends had the greatest hits album when we were in middle school. Her stereo had spotlights with a mini mirror ball on it. We would turn out the lights, turn on the mirror (disco) ball and sing our hearts out into our hairbrush/microphones. 🎶 🥰

[@oneafter9095]

I’ll confess, the first CD I bought when CD’s first came was Barry Manilow’s greatest hits.

[@marybaillie8907]

@@gayleeidson6724 I'm still doing housework at 70. Lol. My choice this morning was Santana. 👍✌️🎶🇨🇦

[@barbieg821]

"I write the Songs" is one of my favorite Barry Manilow Songs!!!!

[@catherinedorney6092]

Same. And time in new England? I forget the title. I'm getting old

[@anthonyrenda7725]

The best love song writer/singer of the 70's.

[@LearnToRefine]

Barry Manilow .. "Could It Be Magic". Genius from start to finish!

[@bruw5640]

There were a lot of story songs like Copacabana in the 70’s. The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia, Angie Baby, Dark Lady are just a few others.

[@juliewhite7469]

And before these Marty Robbins' El Paso.

[@gayleeidson6724]

Barry Manilow's songs are some of the greatest love songs ever !!!

[@angier5775]

Weekend in New England is my fave!!

[@gayleeidson6724]

@@angier5775 I love Somewhere in the Night !!! And Weekend in New England is beautiful 😍❤️, too. I'm going to have to get my greatest hits album out and fire up the Turntable !!! OMG....Even Now !!! It's awesome, too 😊💖.

[@jeannettestogner5164]

Amber, I couldn't stop watching you! You listened to that last verse so intently, and looked so concerned that Lola "lost her youth and her Tony, now she's lost her mind," then as soon as the chorus hit, you were immediately dancing and smiling again!! 🤣🤣🤣 Priceless!! I love you guys. 💕

[@kellyreiterman]

This song was absolutely everywhere back in the day!

[@backgroundsounds8529]

You two crack me up!!! Great dance moves 😊

[@rebo2610]

We named our new dog Lola... "Her name was Lola, she was a showdog!" LOL. We love this song. It was a great disco song. Speaking of "faded," have y'all reacted to Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker? Another sad song about lost love.

[@willdwyer6782]

At least you didn't name her after the Lola the Kinks sang about. 🤣

[@rebo2610]

@@willdwyer6782 that was my first reaction when my husband suggested it! It's ok, she's lovely no matter what. She's a tiny chihahuahua.

[@caridemoranville6306]

We named one of our Great Danes Lola and sang the exact same thing to her! We bought her a yellow boa for pictures😂

[@tarynkirchen5961]

They did react to Delta Dawn by Tanya Tucker back on September 8, 2022 :)

[@vernonbolinger9488]

Delta dawn one of the chezziest songs ever

[@sharonvincent4238]

I saw and heard Gladys Knight sing at the Copacabana in New York in the early 1970s. She was great.

[@thegingergyrl455]

This was MY song at 4yrs old. I sang it and danced around to it every time it came on the radio. My brother still remembers that and that’s 45yrs ago! Barry was HUGE in the 70’s.💃🏻🕺🏻

[@audreyturner2983]

This was a great song. Back in 1985 they made a made for tv movie of this song. Starring Barry Manilow, Annette O'toole & Joseph Bologna as Tony, Lola & Rico.

[@l.brandehilton7107]

Wooow.... I really didn't know that. U really learn something new everyday. 😊

[@Citizenesse8]

Barry Manilow is an extreme wonderful Talent. He's an excellent writer, performer, and singer. You really need to go deep into his song catalog. He has so many beautiful songs such as Mandy, Ships, Somewhere in the Night, Can't Smile Without You, and so many more.

[@joycegibbs5267]

one of the greatest singer/songwriters. I saw him in concert, just BRILLIANT xxx

[@nobody_special]

People don't usually get how dark the lyrics actually are. My favorite Barry Manilow song is "Weekend in New England." #fanilow

[@angier5775]

Mine too!! ❤

[@marksperry9062]

Yes! Weekend in New England is great.

[@patcurrie9888]

Yes!

[@SopranoSistah]

This is the funniest reaction to this song.😅😂❤

[@stevenklein3195]

One of my favorite singers of all time. Up up there with the greats of contemporary music.

[@stevenklein3195]

Never tire of his music. His voice is so recognizable. He is a legend and icon and will always be.

[@reedmink]

Deep rabbit hole if you start listening to Barry Manilow. So many great songs to choose from. My favorite is probably “Could it be Magic”.

[@ericaeccleston1393]

I just have to say the comments are making me so happy! Barry is so overlooked and underappreciated. My mom used to play his music nonstop when I was growing up, and also introduced my daughter to him. The three of us saw him together last year and he was still spectacular!! Forever a #fanilow!

[@robertcrundwell2782]

Life goes on! At the beginning of his career, Barry wrote a lot of product jingles such as “Like a Good Neighbor” for State Farm and “Stuck on Band-Aid” for Band-Aid. He also sang in “Give Your Face Something to Smile About” for Stridex and “Finger-Lickin' Good Day” for KFC and many others. He also was Bette Midler's pianist in the beginning of her career singing in bath houses in New York. .

[@carmenrafy]

People use to disco all day to Copacabana. Barry was the man back then. You need to here his song" I WRITE THE SONGS" my favorite.

[@nickimontie]

The extended dance version is fire! 🔥🔥🔥

[@brucefrancis6222]

Barry paints a picture in your mind with this song and the Latin / Havana sounds of the late 50's bar scene.

[@bradsouthers7476]

I saw Barry in concert at the Mabee Center in Tulsa in the early 1980s. He started his second half after intermission with this song. The intro started with that Latin beat and the cowbell, palm trees rose from the stage as the beat built up, Barry came dancing out in one of those shirts with the big frilly sleeves, and you could feel the anticipation as the music reached its crescendo right before the "Her name was Lola" part. Only he didn't sing those words. Instead, at the height of the excitement of that intro, he sang, "O-klahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains". The crowd cheered, Barry stopped, and then said in that New York accent, "What, you were expecting something else maybe?" You can imagine the laughter. He's definitely a showman!

[@TenheadLife]

Seeing Amber torn between the sadness of poor Tony and the beat was awesome

[@Mcvthree3]

The Copa was (or maybe still is) a real mobbed-up nightclub in NYC named for the Copacabana neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It was quite a hot spot for decades.

[@ohjoy6]

"Weekend in New England" is a very romantic Barry Manilow song. 💕

[@tarynkirchen5961]

Such a great song :D Barry Manilow has so many great songs. You might enjoy "American Bandstand", "Jump Shout Boogie", and "Daybreak". His ballads are also so fabulous. You might like "I Made It Through the Rain", "Weekend in New England", "The Old Songs", "Ships", "Somewhere in the Night", and "I Write the Songs". Just an all around amazing singer/pianist. :)

[@timgerke8714]

All great songs. Miracle and Even Now as well.

[@alrivers2297]

I'll add This One's For You and Could it Be Magic

[@markharris1125]

@@alrivers2297 All these are excellent of course but the silly side of me will always have a love for 'Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed?'

[@wendyranta]

American Bandstand is a must listen to!

[@blackprix]

Storytelling at its best in a song that’s what this is

[@christianmattison6096]

This has a lot in common with Bobby Darren's "Mack the Knife". Both are tragic stories set to a snappy toe-tapping tune, Thanks for playing the long version. Love that percussion!!

[@markbarnwell942]

barry does what berry does and is undeniably very very good. one of the good things about age is that i can say i finally gave berry a real chance and what a talent. just good music with stories etc.

[@angelalacour2384]

FINALLY!!! I have waited a long time to see your reaction to this song. I love Barry Manilow and this was probably his biggest hit. I love watching you two chair dancing and having fun.

[@gregbrown7498]

So many ballad songs from him. He wrote a lot of commercial jingles in the early seventies, too. I was born in 1969 so I grew up on his songs. "Can't Smile without You" is great.

[@lisasmith2660]

I remember seeing Barry live and when he sang this live, women dances would fill the stage with feather headdresses and skirts, in high heels like a carnival it was awesome

[@mypl510]

Wow, it is 1978 all over again! I was 10 and I loved watching everyone dance to this at family parties! Such great times and memories.

[@CamoJan]

The great disconnect reminds me of the songs "Mack the Knife" & "Delilah". So murderously fun!

[@alainanash4905]

I may be late to the party but this reaction channel has become my favorite out of the 2 dozen channels and hundreds of reactions I've seen. Great job! I love that young modern couples can appreciate the music I grew up with. Those were some great times. We had the same issues and feelings of today's youth.

[@ApricotRse]

Barry won the 1978 Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal for "Copacabana". This was originally a novelty cut on Barry's album "Even Now" that radio DJs picked up on and started playing on their shows. Public reaction was so positive that Barry's label, Arista Records, released the song as a single. Barry also wrote the music for this song and the lyrics were written by his longtime collaborator, Bruce Sussman. Fun fact: Barry and Bruce have co-written a musical called "Harmony" set to open on Broadway this November at the Barrymore Theatre.

[@charlessheifer2264]

The Copacabana was a New York City nightclub that opened in 1940 and became the hottest club in the entire world. It eventually expanded and existed in several locations. The Copacabana had the greatest entertainers perform such as Danny Thomas, Eddie Fisher (Carrie's dad), Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis, Jr., Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, etc. The Barry Manilow song "Copacabana" is named after the nightclub. There were always VIP's in the audience and on one occasion in 1957 players from the NY Yankees (including Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford) got into a brawl defending Sammy Davis, Jr. (who was the headline performer that night) from racial slurs hurled at him from drunks in the audience. Music and Passion were always the fashion at the Copa ...

[@payleighsteele1540]

Barry is a consummate showman. Always was. It’s as much his show as the music.

[@ColoradoGrami]

Manilow is GREAT in concert. Saw him at the Fox theatre in St. Louis which is a gorgeous experience in itself. What a memorable night. Thanks for the sweet memory. 💖

[@One_Proud_Papa]

Barry was huge in the 70s. Such a fun rabbit hole.

[@Shrykespeare]

I tried to think of any other famous singers named Barry other than the triumvirate of Gibb, White, and Manilow. The only one I could come up with was Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, a former medic for the Green Berets, whose big hit song was, appropriately, "The Ballad of the Green Berets", from 1966. (He only had two songs released as singles, and the second was called "The 'A' Team", also from 1966. You should check it out, or maybe save it for Memorial Day.

[@surlechapeau]

Barry Mann - "Who Put the Bomp (In the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)" comes to mind, which they've done already

[@Shrykespeare]

@@surlechapeau Oh, right. Good catch. The only other kinda-musical Barry was Barry Williams from The Brady Bunch, but I'm fairly sure they didn't do their own singing on those episdoes when they formed a singing group.

[@jennifermorris6848]

I love Barry. Saw him in person four years ago.

[@nurse37919]

Love love Barry!!!! My parents took me to see him when I was 5-6 - been in love with him ever since!!!

[@scapito]

Yes! There's something about seeing him live that is so special.

[@debbie7505]

Barry Manilow fans are hilarious. He has tons of fans but sometimes people won’t admit they are fans. For someone with no fans he has a lot of albums, concerts, etc. I saw him in concert a couple of times. Also I don’t know if you know but when he first started out he wrote commercial jingles. A lot of famous jingles were written by him. There is a song that goes through them. I don’t remember what it’s called but it was on one of his albums.

[@davehess1019]

Barry is one of the greatest singer song writers ever , great music, All the time, As sure as I'm standing here, This one's for you, somewhere in the night, you oughta be home with me, incredible songs

[@gbh0031]

Barry Manilow has so many great songs. “I Write The Songs” is one of his best. I had all his albums (yes vinyl) as a kid.

[@cmonman3639]

The funny part about I Write the Songs is that Barry Manilow didn't write it. Bruce Johnston from the Beach Boys wrote I Write the Songs.

[@lawrencedavis4406]

That song should be retitled "I Write The Songs (But Not This One)" haha...but I view Barry as a real talent, so much so that he transcends guilty pleasure...I have his boxset, which I got for cheap, cuz there is so much melody & craft that it's so undeniable, I was like screw it & bought it...and there was this punk record on a flexidisc in a Bloom County comic book by their fictional band Billy & the Boingers and one of the songs, "Billy & the Boingers" has a line "mom's got her Barry", which is funny...

[@cmonman3639]

@@lawrencedavis4406 Barry Manilow's not exactly my cup of tea but I have a soft spot for him since my mom loved him. I associate Barry Manilow with my family cleaning the house on Saturdays.

[@suzanneprock7286]

I loved Barry Manilow in the 80's especially, he's such a talented singer/musician and quite the showman.

[@stlee25]

Could not stop smiling all through this video watching Jay air playing the bongos and Amber chair dancing. Thanks for making me smile today! You can't go wrong with Barry Manilow

[@debbiedebster5806]

I confess as well to being a "Fanilow" 🤣 I used to make up dances to his records as a kid.. my friend and I loved him too, on Fridays we'd sing "LOOKS LIKE WE MADE IT!" 😉❤✌

[@wendyjohnson9489]

And that's what it felt like in the clubs

[@CB-gr1uk]

Every song he put out was a hit. His greatest hits is gold!

[@richardsmith5477]

Barry is very gifted talent. Not only did he put out music like this. He also did jingles, “Jingles” are what’s referred to catch tunes for commercials. One of his I think was for McDonald’s “You deserve a break today”, he had many others as well.

[@lifewuzonceezr]

His medley is one of my Favourites!!! And IAM off down the rabbit hole. I want to buy cassettes!! XooX

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

He did put “You deserve a break today” in his medley, but that isn’t one of the ones he wrote. He DID write “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there,” which is still used today.

[@Kayellen]

My favorite commercial song of his was …I am stuck on Band-aid brand ‘cause Band-aid’s stuck on me!

[@markmyers6472]

If I remember correct "I am stuck on bandaid cause bandaid's stuck on me" and "Wouldn't You like to be a Pepper too" are a couple of other jingles he did....

[@merrillundgren1790]

You made me laugh out loud!! 😂🤣 Your reaction “it was a party and now it’s a crime scene! What up!?” This must be an extended remake of the original on the Even Now album. I had never heard this version (the middle musical interlude part). I like the original better. The live version from his hey day in the 1980’s is excellent with the big band and the horns is AMAZING!

[@sheilameyers152]

It was a real dance club! It was a real big hit back then ! We did the Latin swing dance all night! Fun fun fun!

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

I can still picture Barry in his costume with the poofy sleeves...

[@anderspemer358]

This version, 5:46 long, was called "Copacabana (Disco)" and was on the US/Canada double-LP version of Greatest Hits in 1978, the year the song was released some months before on the "Even Now" album. The double Greatest Hits album was not officially released overseas, instead "we" got a one-LP version with about half the songs. I assume Copacabana was on that, too, but I don't know which version. And in the UK they got an album with the same cover art, called Manilow Magic, with a slightly different track list than the "rest of Europe" Greatest Hits. :) Somehow, this double album was still the first Manilow record my Mum found, after she had seen Foul Play and just loved that theme music song "Ready to take a chance again" and read about it somewhere, finding Barry's name out. It must have been some record store that had direct imported the American only double album. I'm so glad they did! Little nine year old Anders discovered Barry, too, and I assume I was by far the youngest male attendant the only time Barry performed llive on Swedish soil in September 1983. :) Another song which there was a special, as far as I know, otherwise never released version of on that Greatest Hits album, was "Ir's a Miracle". Luckily, there's a KZbin clip where the promotional single of that version is played: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKvKp2WshrqGkLs

[@CarolynStewart-v5q]

Amber and Jay, Barry Manilow is a prolific song writer and back in the day wrote a huge amount of commercial jingles that are still played today. Manilow is nationial treasure and still going strong in his 80's!

[@jenniferwebb1005]

When I was a little kid, my dad and I would ride around singing this song. Such a great memory.

[@lilpoohbear653]

This song is pure magic....love ths tory, Barry's voice...the BIG MUSIC feel...will alway remember the lyrics no matter how old I get!!!

[@SCVIndy]

Lucky to have seen Barry perform this song back in the day at the Greek Theater here in LA

[@davidmaggs6217]

I’m from the north west of England, not far from Liverpool and in 1993 had a really bad accident after which I spent nearly 2 months in the burns unit of a local hospital. The Matron ( ward Manager ) became a good friend and was a huge Barry Manilow fan. We spent many hours talking as I slowly recovered. She told me she going to the USA on holiday, a week in Las Vegas then on to Los Angeles. When she came back I asked her how her holiday went. She loved it especially when she and her husband went on a “ houses of the stars tour” around L.A. She got excited when they left the coach to take photos of Barry Manilows mansion. She said she was practically hysterical when a large limousine drove down the drive, passed through the gates, paused as the rear window opened and Barry waved to the fans. That was the last thing she remembered until her husband picked her up from the ground. That’s right, a 25 year veteran nurse who had seen some horrible sights due to her job had fainted because her favourite artist had waived at her. She wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed to tell me story. I always think of that story every time I hear a Barry Manilow song, because without The Matron and her excellent team of Nurses, and auxiliary staff I wouldn’t be here 30 years later to tell the story.🤓

[@jacqueline4514]

My Favorite Barry Manilow song!!! On my prom night in 1985, after the prom we drove into Manhattan from Brooklyn and danced at the Copacabana! They didn’t makes us show IDs ❤😂 A song you might want to react to is one I danced to that night “Point Of No Return” by Expose! 😊

[@kbusby4824]

Walked right by Barry at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, Illinois in the early 80s when I was in high school. He was in town for a concert and was apparently staying at the hotel attached to the mall. Great vocalist.

[@kitcatsaunders]

This is def a guilty pleasure song for me.Barry Manilow is def worth going down the rabbit hole on with him. Barry used to be a back up singer for Bette Midler before he broke out on his on for his solo career. He ‘sgot a lot great music . Good vibes smile and blessings 😊🙏🤗

[@voxandlocks]

Barry was actually Bette's MD, and co-produced her debut album for Atlantic. She famously felt abandoned when he went solo a couple of years later. The whole saga is really well documented from both sides.

[@shirleydurr411]

So glad you did the long version with the instrumental. We loved dancing to this one back in the day. "Music and passion were always in fashion." And this song has both.

[@southernwanderer7912]

This has always been my favorite song by Barry Manilow. Too bad you didn't do the live version. It's always a treat to see him sing this.

[@dvsreed]

Barry Manilow singing" Could it be Magic" on the Midnight Special is a spectacular performance. Should not be missed

[@shellygill5029]

This is my favorite Manilow song because of its upbeat island sound disco, ballroom dance vibes. Barry is a music writer, singer and performer. He wrote so many songs that he performed and for tv commercials and others. I believe he is still performing today. He wrote some beautiful love songs: I write the Songs The Whole World Sings, Looks like We Made It, Mandy ( which I believe you already did). Copa Cabana is one of those vibes that makes you jump out of your chair and dance all around the house. Even with the sad lyrics, it's just a happy song. 💃

[@scapito]

Ironically, he didn't write I Write The Songs. He wasn't shy about using others songs as well as writing so many for others.

[@willdwyer6782]

@@scapito Yeah Bruce Johnston wrote and recorded that one first.

[@scapito]

I meant to mention that he has residency at Westgate resort in Vegas.

[@realityiscool9483]

I've always loved that 70s groove. Born in 78. The strings and harmonies are nice on the ear

[@marksperry9062]

People forget just how huge Barry was in the ‘70’s, and how many hits he had in a short period of time. Copacabana was a departure from his usual music, his way of dipping his toe into disco, which a lot of non-disco artists did. He also won his only Grammy for it, oddly enough, since many other sings better showcase his singing.

[@wendyhodges7172]

Amber dancing to this is just the best 😊 I love this song! It is one of my favorite Barry Manilow songs!

[@lynnelle66]

Barry has wonderful songs. He at one time played piano for Bette Midler. Also, Kelly Ripa named her daughter Lola because of this song. You may have watched her on “Live with Kelly and Ryan” TV show.

[@SpottedQ]

According to interviews Barry has given over the years, this song was written as spoof, silliness to dance to and a reason to "camp" it up, plus, y'know he wanted to write a disco song. He wrote it as a novelty and it became one of his biggest hits. Go Barry!

[@CraigDavis_14]

Manilow premiered this song on one of his TV specials. It was electric.

[@keithroberts4952]

My fav part of the song is when Barry sings "who shot who"! Great story telling!

[@jeanstrickland2445]

Great song choice! Hope you enjoy it😊

[@mariamacdonald3163]

I love his song called One Voice. He was an amazing song writer, too. Thanks for playing this!

[@lindaweathers8182]

Was??? He still is...even at his age he is still performing and cranking out hits. He might be bigger these days than back in the 70s-thru-2000s. Even the younger generation are digging him. He still tours & packs arenas & stadiums not just in the USA but all over the world. He fills the house where ever he is performing and people love the man. He is a living legend.

[@meltorme-ntor2933]

The 70s were the decade of the story song, many of them upbeat, even if the story was a sad one. It was weird, but we loved it.

[@johndalessandro9157]

For a time Barry Manilow was the hottest thing north of Havana. He had about a dozen hit songs. Singer, songwriter, pianist!

[@shellymarquez2184]

This is a song that my 18 year old son started singing literally at age 2! It’s been “his” song ever since! ❤

[@lockwoc]

Check out Manilow Sings Sinatra. He won a Grammy for that album. The arrangements and musicality are amazing. He doesn't try to copy Sinatra per se. It is more of a tribute album.

[@sentinelmortgagecorp4291]

I’m a classic rock and 80’s music guy and have seen a lot of concerts but once I saw Barry in the 90’s and it turned out to be one of the best shows I ever saw.

[@user-qm5ms8ie1q]

Amber is really fun. Love both of you.😊❤