As I received my annual "Happy Hollidays" message from Barry Manilow, I realized that we all have guilty pleasures in our lives.

http://www.manilow.com/A_Special_Holiday_M...ust_For_You.htm

I remember having to hide all of my Barry albums in college, so my roommates wouldn't run away screaming. I remember buying my very first album, Barry Manilow One Voice, when I was 9 years old. Skipping work when I lived in Houston to be early in line for Barry Manilow tickets. Going to the concert with my former boyfriend, and singing "Daybreak" with all of the 50 year-old Jewish women in the audience, while husbands and boyfriends hid their faces in embarrassment. I don't care anymore. Barry kicks ass! ...and I, this cool sports junkie, who would rather drink Guinness and watch the New York Rangers or Yankees on t.v. in a sweatshirt and Levis than go to some hip club, profess my loyalty to him on this very thread.

Cattledog, does that holiday message come as an email greeting? I have a friend, who like you, loves Mr. Manilow and she would find that to be a great little pre-christmas gift.

It did come with an e-mail greeting, but you have to be registered with his official web site. Actually, I am not quite sure how I originally got on it? But you could use that link, and click where it says "e-mail to a friend". Your friend has good taste!

Love "Weekend in New England" and of course Mandy's a classic. Love so many of his songs.

Hi, my name is Mariner Duck Boy and I am a Barry Manilow fan. Yes, I am a Manilow Maniac.

I used to own all of his albums but my love for Manilow has died down a bit. When I was doing my own "Top 30 Charts", Barry always had a song somewhere in the Top 30. I think when I stopped doing this (my own charts) Mr. Manilow was #2 or 3 on the All time Artist list. Yeah, I know. It's sad & pathetic

My favorite Barry album is "2:00am Paradise Cafe". I also really enjoyed "Manilow" when Barry looks totally G-A-Y on the cover.

For songs, it's "Copacabana", "Weekend In New England", "Mandy", "You're Looking Hot Tonight", "I'm Your Man", "I Am Your Child" and his duet of Ude No Naka E (In Search of Love) with my other all time favorite male singer, Japanese pop legend Saijo Hideki.

[ December 19, 2003, 07:23 AM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Boy ]

My Mom use to sing "Copacabana" all the time. It drove me NUTS!!!

I do love it in "Serial Mom" when Kathleen Turner is going out to kill someone, she's listening to "Daybreak." THAT was funny!!

His concept album, Here at the Mayflower, which was released in early 2002 was perhaps his most brilliant album since 2 A.M. Paradise Cafe. If you like his old style of pop tunes, this album (with all new music) is a must!

Cattledog -- Thanks again. I missed the link the first time.

Looks Like We Made It is a great pop song. I like some of his other songs too, but I think I like him more as a songwriter than a singer; his voice is a little thin for some of those big, heavily orchestrated ballads.

Cattledog, MDB, did you see the Will & Grace a few weeks ago that had Barry in it? (I can't remember if you commented on the W&G thread). The fans in line for tickets to the show called themselves "Fanalows". Hee.

Mmmmmm.....Guinness.....nectar of the gods.......

[ December 19, 2003, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

Yeah, I got an e-mail about the show from Barry's website. I really don't watch "Will & Grace" anymore. But, I did set the VCR for it since I was in Toronto last Thursday. I finally watched it the other night, and couldn't believe that Barry was only on for 5 seconds. However, it was a very funny episode, and I KNOW EXACTLY HOW WILL FELT!

I know what you are saying about his voice, and how he tends to modulate the final chorus of each song, but it's really about the whole package. I know that Sara Gilbert's character was kind of a joke on "Will & Grace", but when they showed the line of people singing "Mandy", it was very true. His music just makes (some) people feel really good inside. "I Made It Through The Rain" gets me every time I hear it.

You know about me and Stevie Nicks Cattledog. You just know what I could say about THAT. Now if I only had chiffon, platforms, and a gold shawl...

Back to Barry, though. My aunt and I used to make fun of Barry Manilow, but I've gotta admit, he's done several songs I like. A lot.

"Weekend in New England" = WOW.

[ December 19, 2003, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: DestinyRules ]

I am certainly not the least bit ashamed (anymore ) to admit that I have most of his CD's in my collection (including a few old albums on vinyl, too), have seen Barry live in concert twice (he puts on a great show, btw) and believe that SO many of his ballads rank among the all-time classics....not just the obvious ones like Weekend In New England, Mandy and I Write The Songs, either....I remember watching all of his television specials when I was a kid (much to the dismay of my family ), having no idea that Barry was gay (duh! ) but listening intently to the lyrics to so many of his songs that I was touched by and, in some cases, seemed to apply directly to me -- especially songs like All The Time, Even Now, Lay Me Down and Ships, even though the latter was not an original Manilow composition....as others have already said, a few of his other songs like I Am Your Child, Looks Like We Made It and I Made It Through The Rain have very powerful messages that really hit home, at least to me.

It has always bugged me a little than other singers and songwriters who have been successful performing similar ballads have been praised by the critics while Barry has been almost universally panned by the national media since day one....I have a VERY wide range in musical taste (I have even come to like SOME country songs and artists in recent years, which I used to absolutely abhor), as reflected in my huge and ever-growing collection of CD's, but Barry's music will always be among my favorites.

[ December 19, 2003, 03:25 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

Thanks for helping me come out about Barry. In high school, a friend and I used to have "get sad" nights were we would play Barry record albums and sigh about our non-existent love lives. As a gay kid, Barry's song "All the Time" was about ME and helped me survive. His concert in Dallas on the SMU campus, was one of the highlights of my life. One day I intend to thank him personally. And thank you for letting me get real. Meet me at the Copa...Copa Cabana...

Manilow is the consumate performer. I have seen perform at least ten times over the years and am amazed at the level of his talent. "Where Are They Now" (" how I miss those companions who walk the canyons of my mind..." ) is my all-time favorite obscure Manilow hit.

Thanks for sharing that, CowboysFan....for years, I thought I was the ONLY person in the world who felt that way and if I had a dollar for every time I "secretly" listened to that song as a kid, I would never have had to work a day in my life ....as the powerful lyrics say, " All the time I thought there's only me, crazy in a way that no one else could be......All the time I thought that I was wrong, wanting to be me but needing to belong......"

Did anyone else watch Barry's Christmas Special a few weeks ago on A&E? It was Live by request. His guests were Cyndi Lauper, Bette Midler via tape and Jose Feliciano. Nice way to kick off the holiday season. Why? Because It's Christmas!

Didn't Barry recently get some "work" done to his face? He looked good, although IMHO I think he has lost some of his voice. He also sounded different when he spoke...like he aquired a lisp. I don't remember him lisping in his younger days. He's always entertaining. Right off the bat, someone requested Copa! Of course, Barry sang it, but I think he was looking for Holiday requests.

I think I have seen Manilow in concert 4 times in 4 different venues. Hawaii, Seattle, The Gorge at George and in Portland. Glad to see other Manilow fans out there.

I've been catching the tail end of a version of Jingle Bells that I suspect is Barry, but haven't heard enough of the song or the dj identify it.

"uuuuhhhhh jingle bells

ja ja ja jingle bells

jingle *pause* all the way"

something like that. anyone?

And the next line in "All the Time" always cut me through to the heart, and still reminds me of my angst as a gay kid. "If I'd have just believed in all I had...If someone would have said,'You're not so bad.'" Hell I might as well go on...
"All the time. All the wasted time. All the years, waiting for a sign. To think I had it all...ALL the time!"

Thanks Barry for making a gay kid from South Texas believe that one day I would find a place where I would belong and be loved. This is why I love OutSports, y'all.

I had enough security with OutSports that I knew I could come out with my Barry obsession! Would you believe that Culture Club is on my cd player as I type this--another guilty pleasure perhaps?

Anyway, you all have mentioned some great, great songs. If I had to pick my all-time favorite, it would probably be, "When I Wanted You" off One Voice, which as a Top 40 single has curiously been left off every Greatest Hits package of his that I have seen. Also, I used to play "Tryin' to Get The Feeling" over and over as a kid. Finally my other favorite is new from Here at the Mayflower called "Some Bar by the Harbor". It is beautiful and is symbolic (to me) about a former relationship.

By the way, I remember not having enough money at the record store ($8.99!) to buy his Live album. My grandfather (God rest his soul), who never had much money, insisted that his grandson get what he wanted regardless of the price. Some nice stranger offerred to give me a dollar or two since I was short. My grandfather in his wonderful Brooklyn accent said, "Hey! He's my grandson! I will give him the money!". He only had a couple of bucks in his pocket at the time. I adored my grandfather (whom my whole family has always said that I take after) and will miss him always--it was his birthday 4 days ago--and will always remember him doing that for his lousy grandson. The cassette is now virtually unplayable, but I keep it to this very day. I think you all know why!

[ December 20, 2003, 07:08 AM: Message edited by: Cattledog ]

Hey GAYHAWK:
Sounds like a version of Jingle Bells originally done by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. it is fabulous. Bing Crosby White Christmas Album

I am sure that Barry did a version of this arrangement too.

thanks cowboy, I have the next two days off, thank dawg, so maybe I'll tune in to the station that plays it.
I'm certain that it wasn't Bing singing, but thanks for the heads up

I'm just curious, and I'm not even sure if it's appropriate to ask in this forum, but, has Barry ever been married or stated publicly what his sexual orientation is? I know about him playing back-up for Bette Midler back in her bath-house days, but that doesn't mean he's gay. Just curious if anyone has anything to share on this. By the way, I don't own any of his CDs, but I'd sure like to pick one up, because I've enjoyed his music over the years. Can anyone recommend a specific greatest hits compilation, (or other CD), that's a good one to start with?

I've seen him 2 x in conceert many yrs ago. EEEEK eek! But he still sounds GREAT!

Apparently, those of us Barry Manilow aficionados are not alone. Currently, 2 Nights Live! is #05 and Ultimate Manilow is #19 on the Amazon.com Top Sellers chart. Also, the platinum-selling Ultimate Manilow sits at #03 on Billboard's Pop Catalog Album chart. :cool:

Yea! I am a happy man even if I just spent $202.00 on 2 Barry Manilow concert tickets for his October 09, 2004 show at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
Tickets went on sale this morning at 10.00 a.m.

[ August 16, 2004, 07:08 AM: Message edited by: Cattledog ]

Does Pat consider Barry a guilty pleasure as well or are you just going to drag him with you like all those straight women whose men tag along?

Yes, I consider Barry Manilow a guilty pleasure as well. I saw him at the PNC Bank Arts Center a couple of years ago. But I'll be disappointed if he doesn't sing Weekend in New England.

He was even a good enough sport to accompany me to see Rick Springfield in Atlantic City last month.

...just 3 1/2 days until Barry is at the Wachovia Center. :cool:

I saw him in concert here about 4 years ago. He was great and he really sings LIVE. You'll have fun.

Are you here for the weekend or just for the show?

Joe, we will be in Philadelphia (actually staying in Lester, PA--don't ask, we're poor) from Friday night through Monday morning.

Have fun at the Barry concert, Cattledog!

Classic, MDB!

I was thinking about wearing an outfit like this?

You and Pat have some strange fantasies C-Dog!

MDB flashback: 1985.

Barry records a duet of his "In Search Of Love" with my favorite Japanese male singer of all time. The Japanese title is "Ude No Nake E". Duckboy is in ducky heaven.



[ October 06, 2004, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: Mariner Duck Boy ]

Jeez, and I thought my ABBA guilty pleasure was bad...

I'm afraid I won't be able to outdo Barry with my outfit Sat. night. And I certainly won't be able to out(hair)do him either.

Hard to believe that there have been persistent gay rumors about BM for so long.

I'm sure I remember Fallon Carrington wearing an eerily similar jacket and hair don't on Dynasty.

hoooo boy!

I saw him on Deborah Norville one night. I thought she might play up the hokie, campy bit, but she was a class act and played the whole segment "straight". Asked him about several of his songs and what they meant to him, and then had him play a few notes of each.

Even in a news room studio, he still managed to light up the screen. Some good tunes that I remembered, and some that I had forgotten, but still were great to listen to.

My faves: It's A Miracle, Trying to Get the Feeling, Ships (that pass in the night - reminds me of my own relationship with my parents) and of course, Copa.

i so don't think of barry as a "guilty pleaure".
some of the songs border on the corny but as sturdy as they are, they last...
my favorite, "When October Goes"...been playing it off the hook lately for some reason.

2am Paradise Cafe is the perfect cd for a cold fall/winter night snuggling by the fire.

I think Cafe is my favorite Manilow album. Even Now is probably my second choice.

My first lover, Tim, & I often made love while Barry played in the background. I remember one time in particular getting done while "Weekend In New England" played on the turntable. I also was thrilled when I bought Bette Midler's tribute CD to Rosemary Clooney and found that our Barry had produced it. And their duet on "Slow Boat To China" has me praying for an album of duets! Barry & Bette together again, at last! Though I never had the pleasure of seeing them at The Continental Baths I can imagine!

Yeah, Barry Manilow (Sade, too) is definitely good intimate music. I know someone else that can attest to this, but I will leave it there wink .

OK, I find that kind of creepy. Personally, I don't even want to envision Barry as I am finishing...because if I did, I wouldn't finish! eek!

Barry needs more remixes. I remember how the dance floor would fill up everytime the DJ played the "I'm You Man" remix. Fun song.

OH MY GOD!!! You're so....GAY!!!

On a lighter Barry note, love the "Very Special Medley" from his first live album, appropriately titled "Barry Manilow Live". This was the medley of all of the commercial jingles he had written. And "The Last Duet", his duet with Lily Tomlin, making fun of the all superstar duets (Mathis/Williams, Streisand/Summer, Streisand/Diamond, etc.) in the mid to late 1970's.

How Philadelphia saved Barry Manilow's career!

[/QUOTE]OH MY GOD!!! You're so....GAY!!!

Damn right, hun! I've even downloaded most of the Abba songs in their original Swedish just because......

[ October 08, 2004, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: BillyC ]