Could this be the magic Barry Manilow Barry Manilow is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter who has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world. Known for his melodic tunes and heartfelt lyrics, Manilow has become a legend in the music industry. One of his most famous songs, "Could It Be Magic," perfectly encapsulates the magic that Manilow brings to his music. Released in 1973, the song immediately became a hit and has remained a classic ever since. The hypnotic piano intro combined with Manilow's smooth vocals creates a mesmerizing experience for the listener. The lyrics of the song are filled with longing and hope, capturing the emotions of a person falling in love.
"When I showed up at the recording studio and heard the bubblegum-sounding track (complete with cowbells and a girl trio!) I was thrown for a loop," Manilow recalled. "He had treated 'Could It Be Magic' in a young-sounding uptempo way that in no way resembled the style I had hoped for."
With the record label itching for a follow-up to Amy, Manilow brought Could It Be Magic to Orlando and told the producer it should be very romantic and build slowly to a climax that makes you feel as if the performer is totally carried away with passion. Spirit move me every time I m near you Whirling like a cyclone in my mind Sweet Melissa, angel of my life time, Answer to all answers I can find Baby I love you Come, come, come into my arms Let me know the wonder of all of you Baby I want you, now, now, now and hold on fast Could this be the magic at last Lady take me hight upon a hillside High up where the stallion meets the sun I could love you, build my world around you, Never leave you till my life is done Baby I love you Come, come, come into my arms Let me know the wonder of all of you Find more lyrics at Mojim.
The lyrics of the song are filled with longing and hope, capturing the emotions of a person falling in love. Manilow's ability to convey these emotions through his voice is truly magical. His velvety voice effortlessly glides through the verses, weaving a tale of love and anticipation.
Could this be the magic barry manilow
This early Barry Manilow hit is a dramatic ballad full of passionate longing, just like he intended it to be. But it took a few years to get it right. It all started one evening in 1971 when Manilow was playing Chopin's "Prelude Op. 28, No. 20 in C Minor" at his Manhattan studio apartment. After taking a dinner break, he sat down at his spinet piano and wrote "Could It Be Magic," unaware he'd lifted the chord changes from the classic piece's chorus until he played back the recording.
"Thank goodness the melody and verses were my own," he wrote in the liner notes to his 1992 compilation, The Complete Collection and Then Some.
He sent the cassette tape to his songwriting collaborator Adrienne Anderson, who immediately stopped what she was doing and wrote the lyrics.
Around this time, Manilow was a member of Featherbed, a group of session musicians who had a minor hit with the Anderson-penned single "Amy," featuring Manilow's vocals, earlier that year on Bell Records. The song was produced by Tony Orlando, whose band Dawn was making the charts with bright pop hits like "Knock Three Times."
With the record label itching for a follow-up to "Amy," Manilow brought "Could It Be Magic" to Orlando and told the producer "it should be very romantic and build slowly to a climax that makes you feel as if the performer is totally carried away with passion." Orlando agreed, then proceeded to refashion Manilow's ballad into an uptempo, "Knock Three Times"-style piece of bubblegum.
"When I showed up at the recording studio and heard the bubblegum-sounding track (complete with cowbells and a girl trio!) I was thrown for a loop," Manilow recalled. "He had treated 'Could It Be Magic' in a young-sounding uptempo way that in no way resembled the style I had hoped for."
It's important to note that Manilow never wanted to be a performer, but Bell Records was so impressed with his voice on the two Featherbed tracks, they offered him a solo contract. With his solo debut album on the horizon, he was determined to bring his original vision to life. Working with producer Ron Dante (of The Archies), he created a soaring, eight-minute epic ballad (which he describes as a "musical orgasm") for the 1973 release. Few people bought the album, but he broke through the following year with Barry Manilow II and its hit singles, "Mandy" and "It's A Miracle."
As a result, Arista Records, which had swallowed up Bell Records in a merger, re-issued Manilow's debut album as Barry Manilow I and released an edited version of "Could It Be Magic" as a single. It went to #6 on the Hot 100 in September 1975.
Manilow wasn't surprised when the song finally became a hit because he'd consistently wowed huge audiences with the tune before it ever landed on the radio. At the time, he was Bette Midler's music director and piano player, so when Bell Records wanted him to hit the road to promote his debut album, he felt guilty at the thought of abandoning Midler. Instead, he asked if she'd be willing to let him perform some songs during her own shows - to audiences of thousands of people. She agreed, and he brought down the house every time he sang the ballad.
One of the first times was at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado. Midler's vocals weren't reaching the crowd at the open-air venue, so Manilow was sure his own performance would bomb, only to be rewarded with his first standing ovation. He recalled in Steve Baltin's Anthems We Love:
"And I went out there and thought, This is going to be dreadful. After I finished 'Could It Be Magic,' I saw people standing up and I thought they were running, they were running to get out. But they were giving me a standing ovation. And it was the first standing ovation I ever had. And it was because of 'Could It Be Magic.'"
The "sweet Melissa" that Manilow sings about is said to be Melissa Manchester, his Arista labelmate who was also Bette Midler's backing singer.
Manilow thinks the best songs are the ones the come the quickest, like this one. "I knew I was onto something. Sometimes you just know it. It came so fast - the ones that come fast I know that I have something going," he told Steve Baltin. "The ones that I struggle with never work. But the ones that come fast, something’s in it. All I could tell you was that I loved this song."
Donna Summer recorded an uptempo disco version, produced by Giorgio Moroder, for her 1976 album, A Love Trilogy. The single went to #3 on the US Dance chart, #21 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and #52 on the Hot 100. It also peaked at #4 on the UK Singles chart.
Her rendition changed the "sweet Melissa" lyric to "sweet Peter," as a nod to her then-boyfriend, Peter Muhldorfer.
The English pop group Take That recorded a cover based on Summer's 1976 arrangement for their debut album, Take That & Party, in 1992. The single peaked at #3 in the UK and won the award for Best British Single at the 1993 Brit Awards.
Manilow's opinion of the Orlando-produced original has softened over time. "Now years later I play his rendition of it and it's just a great record," he told Steve Baltin. "It's a great rendition of 'Could It Be Magic.'"
A reworked version pairing the brass and strings orchestration with new drums, bass, and synthesizers was included on Manilow's 1993 Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection.
This was used in these movies:
Game Of Thrones: The Last Watch (2019)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Looking For Mr. Goodbar (1977)
And these TV shows:
Doctor Who ("Partners In Crime" - 2008)
Gavin & Stacey ("Episode #2.2" - 2008)
Jonathan Creek ("The Eyes Of Tiresias" - 1999)
Moonlighting ("North By North DiPesto" - 1986)
The arrangement of "Could It Be Magic" also adds to the enchantment of the song. With its lush orchestration and soaring crescendos, the music elevates the listener to a whole new level. It is no wonder that this tune has become a staple in Manilow's live performances. But what truly sets "Could It Be Magic" apart is Manilow's ability to connect with his audience. Whether he is performing on stage or through the speakers of a stereo, he manages to make each listener feel like he is singing directly to them. This personal touch is what makes Manilow's music so special and enduring. Over the years, Manilow has continued to captivate audiences with his magic. His live performances are legendary, with fans constantly singing along to every word. His music has the power to transport listeners to another time and place, evoking nostalgic emotions and fond memories. Barry Manilow is a true musical icon, and "Could It Be Magic" is a testament to his immense talent. With his ability to create melodic masterpieces and connect with his audience on a personal level, Manilow continues to capture the magic that has made him a beloved figure in the music industry..
Reviews for "The Timeless Magic of Barry Manilow's Live Performances: From Las Vegas to Broadway"
1. Jenny - 1 star
I was really looking forward to seeing Barry Manilow perform live, but "Could this be the magic Barry Manilow" was a huge disappointment. The performance lacked energy and enthusiasm, and Manilow seemed bored on stage. The setlist included mostly unknown songs, leaving the audience feeling disconnected and unengaged. Overall, it was a lackluster experience that left me wishing I had spent my money on a different concert.
2. Mark - 2 stars
As a long-time fan of Barry Manilow, I had high expectations for "Could this be the magic Barry Manilow," but unfortunately, it fell short. The show felt outdated and didn't showcase Manilow's talent to its full potential. The sound quality was poor, making it difficult to fully enjoy the music. Additionally, the stage setup was lackluster, lacking any visual spectacle. It's a shame to see such a talented artist not living up to his potential.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had heard great things about Barry Manilow's live performances, but "Could this be the magic Barry Manilow" left me underwhelmed. The show felt repetitive, with Manilow playing too many slow ballads and not enough upbeat songs. The lack of variety in the setlist made the performance drag on, and I found myself losing interest. While Manilow's voice was still impressive, the overall show lacked excitement and failed to leave a lasting impression.