Is it potentially magic by Barry Manilow Barry Manilow is a renowned singer-songwriter and composer who has captivated audiences with his catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics. One of his notable songs, "Could It Be Magic," has sparked discussions about the possibility of magic in our everyday lives. On the surface, the song portrays a tale of a person who falls deeply in love and questions whether their newfound emotions are merely a result of magic or something more tangible. However, beneath the surface, the song holds a deeper meaning that resonates with many listeners. The main idea of "Could It Be Magic" is the exploration of the mystical and enchanting aspects of love. Manilow delves into the idea of love having a magical quality, something that defies explanation and logic.
Full of symbols and inscriptions, it was built during the early 1600s by the Roman marquis Massimiliano Palombara, a member of a group of people known as “The Alchemists of Palazzo Riario” who congregated around the Roman court of Christina, the Queen Regent of Sweden. Christina was an ardent supporter of alchemy and science, and thinkers and science luminaries like Rene Descartes and Athanasius Kircher were often found in her Italian court along with alchemy enthusiasts like Palombara.
Reading from bottom to top on the right, to drop down to the left, this signs follow the sequence of the planets to which is assigned a motto in Latin. Whatever the true story of the door is, it still feeds legends of ancient charm, which every day bring many curious people to visit the door and try to understand its hidden message.
Manilow delves into the idea of love having a magical quality, something that defies explanation and logic. He poses the question of whether love itself is a form of magic that can sweep us off our feet, causing us to question the very nature of our emotions. In the lyrics, Manilow describes the sensation of falling in love as a spell one cannot resist.
"Porta Magica" (Magic Door), alchemy and mystery in the heart of Rome
Rome eternal city, Rome open city, Rome cosmopolitan city. From whatever angle you look at it and whatever definition you want to give it, Rome never ceases to amaze. Its two thousand years of history, imprinted in the urban texture of the city, are mixed with myths and legends, mysteries and curiosities. Such as the "Porta Magica", one of the few alchemical monuments in the world set in a wall of the gardens in Piazza Vittorio, in the Esquilino district, a few steps from Termini station.
Porta Magica (Magic Door), also known as Porta Alchemica (Alchemic Door) or Porta dei Cieli (Door of the Skies), is the only remaining part of the ancient Villa Palombara. To understand its charm, we must go back in time, more precisely to the second half of 1600, when the villa was built by the Marquis of Pietraforte, Massimiliano Palombara, a lover of alchemy and a frequent visitor to the Roman court of Queen Christina of Sweden, also a lover of esotericism.
The legend, narrated by Francesco Girolamo Cancellieri, tells of a pilgrim (today identifiable with Francesco Giuseppe Borri) who, guest of the marquis, searched in the gardens of the villa for an herb able to produce gold. The morning after this search, the pilgrim was seen disappearing through a door, leaving behind some golden straws and alchemical formulas. The Marquis tried for a long time to decipher and understand the content of the formulas, but his efforts were in vain. So, powerless, he decided to publish the formulas by engraving them on the five doors of Villa Palombara, in the hope that one day someone would be able to understand the instructions to create the philosopher's stone.
According to another legend, the door was created by the Marquis Palombara as an access to his esoteric laboratory: in fact, it would have been him who engraved the alchemic symbols on the door in order to make the place gloomy and frightening farmers and curious travelers. Of the five doors, only one has survived the implacable action of time, and it is still visible today almost in perfect condition.
Originally positioned about 100 meters away from the current location, in 1800 the door was actually disassembled and then reassembled in the gardens of Piazza Vittorio, and it was supported by two statues of the god Bes, ancient Egyptian deity of war.
The alchemical symbols, engraved in the marble, belong to the category of classical illustrations of alchemy books dating back to the seventeenth century, of which the Marquis certainly had knowledge. Moreover, the symbols along the door represent the sequence of the planets and their association with the corresponding metals: Saturn-lead, Jupiter-tin, Mars-iron etc.
On the threshold of the door, what is most striking is the palindrome phrase Si Sedes Non Is (if you sit down you don't go) that read in the other verse becomes Si Non Sedes Is (if you don't sit down you go).
The meaning of the symbols and epigraphs engraved on the door are still a mystery, an inexhaustible source of curiosity and interest. Whatever the true story of the door is, it still feeds legends of ancient charm, which every day bring many curious people to visit the door and try to understand its hidden message. Will someone be able to do it sooner or later?
Today I want to tell the story of La Porta Magica (The Magic Door) Rome is an universe made up of many small and big things. The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and all the other attractions that have made it famous; but also many details, stories and legends that not many people know. La Porta […]
These lyrics speak to the universal experience of being smitten by someone, the feeling of being under their spell, and the belief that love itself has a transformative power. Manilow's soothing voice and melodic composition create an enchanting atmosphere that further enhances the idea of love's magic. The song's popularity can be attributed to its ability to tap into the universal longing for love and magic. It encapsulates the idea that love has an otherworldly quality that transcends the ordinary. By exploring the potential magic of love, Manilow invites listeners to ponder the mysteries of love and whether there is something more extraordinary at work. In conclusion, "Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow delves into the idea of love's potential magic. Through its catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics, the song explores the concept of love as a force that defies explanation and logic. Manilow's composition invites listeners to embrace the enchanting aspects of love and ponder the possibility that it may have a touch of magic..
Reviews for "The Enchanting Spell of Barry Manilow's Potentially Magical Music"
- John Doe - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Is it potentially magic" by Barry Manilow. The songs felt repetitive and lacked the catchiness that I have come to expect from his music. The lyrics were also quite uninspiring and unoriginal. Overall, this album was a major letdown for me as a fan of Barry Manilow's earlier work.
- Jane Smith - 2 stars
I have been a fan of Barry Manilow for many years, but I have to admit that "Is it potentially magic" did not live up to my expectations. The production quality felt subpar, and the songs themselves were lacking in substance. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the album, and it was overall a forgettable listening experience for me.
- David Johnson - 2.5 stars
While "Is it potentially magic" had some redeeming qualities, it fell short of the usual magic that Barry Manilow brings to his music. The album lacked a cohesive theme and the songs seemed to blend together without leaving a lasting impression. There were a few standout tracks, but the majority of the album felt average at best. I was hoping for more from an artist of Manilow's caliber.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 stars
I was excited to listen to Barry Manilow's "Is it potentially magic" album, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The songs felt generic and lacked the emotional depth that I associate with Manilow's music. It seemed like a rushed effort and I found it challenging to connect with the material. Overall, this was a disappointment for me as a long-time fan of Barry Manilow's music.