17 November 2007

Thoughts on Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow is from Brooklyn. He was born in Williamsburg in 1946. He's famous for a bevy of hits like "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," and of course the ubiquitous "Copacabana".

Manilow has sold more than 75 million fucking records worldwide. 75 MILLION.



In 1978, FIVE of this dudes albums were on the best-selling charts SIMULTANEOUSLY. The only other dudes to ever do that were Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis. Johnny who?

Sinatra was quoted in the 1970's saying in reference to Manilow, "He's next."

In 1988, Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, "Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you."

As well as producing and arranging albums for other artists, such as Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick and Rosemary Clooney, Manilow has also written myriad songs for musicals and movies. Nearly every record the dude put out went Triple Platinum, if not Double Platinum, if not Platinum if not at very least Gold. His live record back in '77 went Quadruple Platinum.



So... I'm here to put an end to the Manilow bashing. The dude is a soft-rock hero. Sure he's cheesey and corny and he's über 70's and all that shit; and I also firmly believe insane record sales doesn't mean a dude is a good because most people are dumb, but Barry Manilow is a bona fide superstar. And referencing him in jokes is just getting old. It's been old. I'm just man enough to say it.

It was OK when John Bender asked Principal Vernon if Manilow knew he raided his wardrobe but that was over 20 years ago. That shit is done now; its toast; its old. Half the people today have no idea who Barry Manilow even is so stop referencing him in your everyday joshing.

You wanna make someone synomous with uncool and unhip and corny? Try Neil Young or Neil Diamond; either one will do.

Give Manilow a rest. The dude is a bona fide legend. I don't even like the dudes music but I respect that he's from Brooklyn and made his way and he's a legitimate superstar. End of story.

Referencing Manilow is just a cheap joke for people with no imagination. Refill your reservoir and work on some new characters to reference. Its like a hack comic doing jokes about being married or how bad parking is in Manhattan.

Dissing Manilow is as funny and ironic as those Urban Outfitters "Jesus Is My Homeboy" shirts. Nexxxxxt.

I hereby declare Barry Manilow off limits.


not funny

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Justin, don't sleep on the Neils.

Anonymous said...

They both suck. I don't even know why C, S & N put up with that dude.

Anonymous said...

what the?

Anonymous said...

Manilow is also awesome because of this:

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/television/story/ar/_a/manilow-shuns-view-over-hasselbeck/20070917180309990001

<3

Gotham City Insider said...

Who knew a piece on Manilow would so polarising :)