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Friday, May 23, 2014

"Somewhere Down the Road" by Barry Manilow

Song#:  0859
Date:  12/19/1981
Debut:  76
Peak:  21
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  His pop chart days were quieting down, but Manilow still ruled the AC airwaves. This second single from his "If I Should Love Again" album just missed out on the pop Top 20, but it became his 12th #1 song at AC.

ReduxReview:  He was still in classic Manilow mode and this was another choice epic ballad from him. I'd probably consider this the last blast single of his heyday. His output after this would be a bit strange as he tried to keep up with the changing sounds and it didn't work very well. Soon he would end up doing projects that would suit him better without worrying about singles and he did quite well. But this song was almost like a goodbye in a way even though he and we as listeners didn't realize it at the time. I miss him already!

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  This song was hand-picked by Clive Davis for Manilow. It was written by Tom Snow and Cynthia Weil. Weil wrote many hits with her husband Barry Mann. Together, they wrote the rock standards "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" and "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration," both by The Righteous Brothers, along with hits like "Here You Come Again" (Dolly Parton), "On Broadway" (The Drifters/George Benson), and around this time period, "Just Once" (Quincy Jones and James Ingram).

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2 comments:

  1. This song gets an 8/10 for me, I'm not the biggest fan of Barry Manilow but have always liked this song a lot and always felt this song deserved to be in the Top 10.

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    1. Me too. I admit I'm a Fanilow. The first single I ever bought with my own money was "Mandy" way back in the day. Still have it.

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