The Manilow concert was fantastic. I mean, REALLY, REALLY FANTASTIC. I am a certified Fanilow now. Ok, it’s not like I wasn’t one before … but now I’ve proven it to the rest of the world. We were on the floor in seats that were so good, I could see the wrinkles on Barry Manilow’s pants. That good. And the music? Oh my goodness. I’ve waited close to 30 years to hear that music live, and it was so worth it. I flicker’ed the whole thing (the links are over in the sidebar), and we called Mandy for … well, “Mandy” of course, and Kymberlie for “Copacabana”. We were at the end of our row, and the row was two seats shorter than the row in front of us – so we had plenty of room to dance in the aisle. I sang to every song I knew, loud and probably off key. I didn’t care. There was even new music (the songs I didn’t sing to) from the upcoming Manilow musicals.
The kicker for me had to be when the gay couple sitting behind us got up and danced with us, and told me that it was so much fun sitting by us for the concert. They tried to tell me that I had tears in my eyes at the end of “I Write the Songs” … I tried to deny it, but come on… he writes the songs of love and special things. He writes the songs that make the young girls cry. How could I not be moved by that?
I’ll write more tomorrow about my amusing memories of my favorite songs from my childhood – but I think that “I Write the Songs” has to be one of my all-time favorites. It was a fabulous ending for a fabulous concert. I’m still buzzing, and it’s been over for a few hours now. What a thrill!
We love you, Barry!!! Whooo hooooooooo!!!
9 replies on “All That I Expected…”
I’m glad you called me! Did you sneak off and buy the CD when Mike went to the bathroom?
Little bit of trivia for you from your font of useless information: Barry Manilow actually didn’t write “I Write the Songs.” A man by the name of Bruce Johnston did.
Just too cute!
So, what’s the real story about “Mandy.” Is it just an urban legend that Mandy was a dog? I heard him be coy about the meaning of the song, but it seemed like Mandy was a real person in his life.
Yes, and Bruce Johnston used to be with the Beach Boys. He wrote the song about Brian Wilson actually. Thanks to the song, he was the only Beach Boy to win a Grammy. David Cassidy sang the song first, but Manilow made it what it is today. The song isn’t about Manilow (obviously) and Manilow originally did not want to record it, worried that people would think he was an egomaniac. (I still think he’s an egomaniac, but that’s besides the point.)
I also read somewhere that Mandy was originally recorded by someone else as “Brandy” – so I’m not sure what the story is behind that one.
OMG! I SAW YOU! You were in the row just ahead of us!! I was sitting next to that BEAUTIFUL young girl who kept crying (she is 25, btw)! My husband (blonde, balding) was on my left, and those gay guys were sitting next to him!! HOW COOL IS THAT? I recognize you from your pictures… I wonder if I have you in any of my pics… gonna go see now… 🙂
GET OUT!!! Nuh uh. No way!!! You were in Section D too? I thought you were somewhere really close to the stage?!?
Ok, that is just too bizarre. Wow.
We were in section d – row 4. You were in section D – row 3, right? You didnt think that was close? we couldnt even see the huge screens because they were BEHIND US! We were almost as close as you can get, girl! Okay, well we coulda gotten rows 1 or 2… but THAT’S IT!
No, I was in section D, but back in row 19. So while you were up close and personal, I was far enough back to see the big screen TV – but still close enough to see the wrinkles in Barry’s clothes.
Just how does that man change outfits so fast? And into leather pants even?
By the way – I did some googling, and no – Mandy is not about a dog. Scott English just said that to be snarky, and unfortunately – it spread. You can read more here.