"Could It Be Magic" is a popular song by the American singer and songwriter, Barry Manilow. The track was first released in 1973 and has since become one of his signature songs. It was written by Adrienne Anderson and Barry Manilow himself. The lyrics of the song tell a story of finding love and the magical feelings that come with it. Over the years, "Could It Be Magic" has been covered by various artists, but Barry Manilow's version remains the most well-known. The song's popularity was further boosted by its inclusion in Manilow's debut album, "Barry Manilow," which quickly became a commercial success.
The song's popularity was further boosted by its inclusion in Manilow's debut album, "Barry Manilow," which quickly became a commercial success. The music video of "Could It Be Magic" was not released initially, as music videos were not as prevalent at the time. However, with the rise of the internet and platforms like YouTube, fans can now enjoy the official music video on Barry Manilow's official YouTube channel.
[Review] The Lost Witch – Melvin Burgess
How I read it: I received a free ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Get it at Amazon UK: The Lost Witch
Bea has started to hear and see things that no one else can – creatures, voices, visions. Then strangers visit Bea and tell her she is different: she has the rare powers of a witch. They warn her she is being hunted. Her parents think she is hallucinating and needs help. All Bea wants to do is get on with her life, and to get closer to Lars, the mysterious young man she has met at the skate park. But her life is in danger, and she must break free. The question is – who can she trust?
This book was, in short, utterly baffling.
I’m no stranger to Melvin Burgess’s work – often heralded as the godfather of UKYA, his 1996 novel JUNK is a controversial, yet extremely popular book. THE LOST WITCH is completely different – it’s still YA, but instead of being a gritty look at drug addiction and runaways, it’s a fantastical tale about witches. And I LOVE WITCH BOOKS.
In books, I mean. Don’t burn them.
I thought I knew what I was in for when I read the blurb, and to be honest, the first quarter or so of the book is exactly what it says on the tin. Bea, our protagonist, slowly begins to realise that she has the powers of a witch. She’s also drawn to Lars, the cute and mysterious older boy at the local skate park. It sounds pretty typical of a lot of paranormal romance and fantasy YA, but after the first chunk of the book it goes off in a completely different direction to what I was expecting.
This is a really surreal novel – there’s some seriously weird scenes (including one with a man with two faces) and I found it to be quite quirky in a slightly creepy way. A lot of the book takes place in the countryside and Burgess’s descriptions effectively evoke an atmosphere of ancient, earthy magic – perfect for a story about animal-shifting witches who are connected to nature.
Bea isn’t the greatest character – I found her a bit irritating and I was slightly weirded out that she was 13 at the beginning of the novel (she’s 15 by the end), especially considering the way her relationship with Lars develops. I would have personally aged her up (to 15 going on 16/17), although I suppose her young age makes the numerous questionable decisions she makes seem more realistic. Lars, on the other hand, is probably the most interesting character in the book – he starts off seeming like a generic YA male love interest but soon reveals different sides of himself that kept me curious.
Burgess’s writing style is interesting, though I honestly thought for a while that the novel was set in the 90s – it was only when Bea used her phone that I realised it was actually meant to be set in the present day. Still, it made the novel feel a little more timeless and rustic, almost – like it was stuck in a dreary part of England which hadn’t caught up with the rest of the country yet.
This book isn’t for everyone – Burgess has a very unique style of writing – but it’s definitely a surprising and unpredictable read, which makes it worth picking up. I loved the creepy, quirky atmosphere and the developing darkness – I’m interested to see what happens in the sequel.
For fans of: THE WREN HUNT by Mary Watson, HALF BAD by Sally Green, THE WITCH’S KISS by Katherine & Elizabeth Corr
Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.
On YouTube, the video for "Could It Be Magic" has garnered a significant number of views and positive comments from fans across the world. The video showcases Manilow's captivating stage presence and his ability to deliver a heartfelt performance. The visuals combine elements of magic and romance, enhancing the overall theme of the song. Furthermore, the YouTube algorithm recommends other related videos, allowing fans to explore more of Barry Manilow's discography, watch live performances, and discover covers of "Could It Be Magic" by other talented artists. With its timeless appeal, "Could It Be Magic" continues to captivate audiences and remains a beloved classic in Barry Manilow's extensive repertoire. Thanks to YouTube, fans can easily access and enjoy this magical song whenever they want..
Reviews for "Unexpected Samples: The Rap and R&B Influences on 'Could It Be Magic"
1. Sara - 2/5 stars - I can't believe this video has so many views! The quality is terrible, the editing is amateur, and the audio is muffled. I was excited to watch a performance of Barry Manilow's "Could It Be Magic," but I was sorely disappointed. The video seemed like it was recorded on an old VHS tape and uploaded straight to YouTube without any effort to improve it. There are much better versions available online, so I would suggest skipping this one and searching for a higher quality performance instead.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - This is by far the worst Barry Manilow video I've ever watched. The audio is completely out of sync with the video, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the song. The video quality is extremely poor, and it's as if someone recorded this performance with a potato. I'm a big fan of Barry Manilow, but this video ruined the experience for me. It's a shame that such a legendary artist has to be represented by such a low-quality video on YouTube.
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I was hoping to find a good performance of "Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow, but this video fell short of my expectations. The video quality is grainy and the audio is distorted, making it difficult to fully enjoy the song. Additionally, the video seems to be poorly edited, with awkward cuts and transitions that detract from the overall viewing experience. I would recommend looking for a different video rendition of this song to fully appreciate Barry Manilow's talent.