"I Don't Want to Walk Without You" by Barry Manilow

Song#:  0131
Date:  04/12/1980
Debut:  81
Peak:  36
Weeks:  11
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  Manilow pretty much owned the radio airwaves in the 70s. With ten Top 10 hits, his six other chart songs peaking in the Top 30,  and all but his debut album hitting the Top 10, it was his decade of superstardom. But like many stars who made it big in the 70s, the changes of the 80s would signal a decline in popularity. Manilow got an early taste of this as his 1979 album "One Voice" only yielded one Top 10 hit ("Ship" #9) and sales fell short of expectations. The album would also end up being his last Top 10 until "Ultimate Manilow" unexpectedly hit #3 in 2002. This song was the third single from the album and his first to peak outside the Top 30.

ReduxReview:  At the time, being a "Fanilow" was not something you put out there. I listened to my Manilow 45s behind closed doors and kept my adoration to myself. Fortunately I found out my BFF in high school was also diggin' on the Barry so I at least had someone to cruise around with blasting his hits. These days I don't hide my love for the Manilow and I'm finding out there are plenty of others out there who are proud to say they dig this Brooklyn guy. This particular song I wouldn't put on my list of favorite Manilow songs, but it is not a bad little tune. It is a catchy, old-timey sing-along that can be hard to resist once you get into it. (Note: The very first 45 single I bought was "Mandy." Still have it!)

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  If this song sounds very old-fashioned, there is a reason. It is an old standard written in 1941 by Jule Styne and Frank Loesser. The song was used in the 1942 film "Sweater Girl" where it was sung by Betty Jane Rhodes. It was also a #1 song in 1942 by Harry James.

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