Struggling to smile without Barry Manilow
sidelined due to a brief spell of flu, I found myself searching on Apple Music for an artist to calm my weary body and spirit. Amidst scrolling, reminiscence hit like a crescendo in a full orchestra – the name Barry Manilow emerged, evoking memories of lazy Sundays and the comforting aroma of my mother’s cooking.
Before my rock purist friends raise their eyebrows at me during our next visit to the record store, I must confess my fondness for Barry Manilow. Unapologetically, I have always embraced his music, even when he transitioned from making hit songs to donning rhinestone jumpsuits and dancing the merengue on stage.
Barry Manilow, a Brooklyn-born artist and former jingle writer, holds a special place in my heart and record collection. While he is now 82 and bears a porcelain-like visage, his recent battle with Stage 1 lung cancer did not dampen his spirits. Following his surgery, he launched a new song, announced an upcoming album release, and is set to start a Las Vegas residency in May.
Reflecting back, it seems ironic that Manilow’s breakthrough hit, “Mandy,” coincided with an encounter with an adult magazine bearing the same name. This juxtaposition symbolizes my simultaneous exposure to Manilow’s music and the rebellious spirit of rock and roll.
During the mid-’70s, Manilow rose to prominence, becoming a musical phenomenon. While other artists, such as David Pomeranz and Dan Hill, shared a similar vein of melancholic tunes, Manilow’s songs dominated the American charts with such authority that a parody song titled “I Need Your Help, Barry Manilow” was released in 1979.
The allure of Manilow’s music lies in its ability to resonate with the Filipino spirit, deeply rooted in a fondness for soul-stirring ballads. Our cultural inclination towards “hugot,” expressing emotional turmoil through music long before the term became popular, fosters a communal experience, especially in the realm of karaoke. These nostalgic melodies have a way of lingering in our minds, becoming the soundtrack of our candid moments as we age.
Despite diversifying my musical tastes over the years with the likes of Boston, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac, my affinity for classic Manilow remains unwavering. Similar to comfort food, the songs that captivated us in our youth linger in our hearts indefinitely. They resurface unexpectedly, triggering a flood of memories in the most obscure settings.
In essence, artists like Manilow serve as the eternal soundtrack of our lives, transcending generations and connecting us to moments of vulnerability and authenticity. These melodies become ingrained in our consciousness, marking our journey from youth to maturity, resonating with us as we navigate the complexities of life.