The 22 Most Annoying Songs Ever

WNBC.com just ranked the 22 Most Annoying songs ever. You guessed it…Barry made the list!

1. It’s A Small World After All-Disney
2. I Love You, You Love Me-by Barney and Friends
3. Mr. Roboto-by Styx
4. The Meow Mix jingle
5. Who Let the Dogs Out
6. Achy Breaky Heart-by Billy Ray Cyrus
7. The Chicken Dance
8. Copacabana-by Barry Manilow
9. Macarena
10. The theme from “Scooby Doo”
11. Y.M.C.A.-by the Village People
12. Hot in Here-by Neely
13. Mambo No. 5-by Lou Bega
14. The theme song from “I Dream of Jeannie
15. Muskrat Love-by Captain and Tennille
16. Mmmm Bop-by Hanson
17. Play That Funky Music-by Wild Cherry
18. Wannabe-by The Spice Girls
19. The theme from “Good Times”
20. Thank God I’m a Country Boy-by John Denver
21. It’s a Sunshine Day-by The Brady Bunch
22. Jump-by Kriss Kross

Sandwiched in between "The Chicken Dance" and "Macarena"...what a dubious distinction.

Say what you want about Copacabana, but that song is probably one of the most recognizable tunes of all time. And as Barry himself says, it's pure genius. In one short song, you have a full length drama. The characters meet, fall in love, a villain appears, one of them is shot and dies, the other pines after him for life.

Most "true" fans, won't admit to liking Copacabana. They balk at the people who only know this song of Barry's and beg for it at the concerts. But let's face it people, it's the highest energy song of the show and it draws the audience in like no other. The tune is catchy. The lyrics are genius rhymes. It really is a masterpiece of musicianship. Annoying? Perhaps... Catchy? For sure.... Most requested? Look at the statistics.... Showstopper? Absofreakinglutely!

Love Copacabana and not ashamed to admit it,
Texas Fanilow

First there was "Mama Mia", then there was "You Gotta Have Friends"

Recently on a touristy stroll in Boston, my daughter spotted this poster up at one of their downtown ticket offices. Which, as usual got me thinking. If, they can design a play around the music of Abba, why not one around the music of Barry and Bette? How hard could that be?

If you put your mind to it, there is enough music from both of these talented performers to create quite a storyline. Boy meets girl. Boy gets girl. Boy loses girl. Girl realizes she loves boy all along. Boy and girl reunite after years apart.

"Sweet Heaven", "Learning to Live Without You", "Even Now", "If I Should Love Again", "Wind Beneath My Wings", "Do You Wanna Dance", and "You Gotta Have Friends" to name a few would fit nicely together to form an outstanding musical...

Bette and Barry's music together in a celebration of friendship and harmony. What could be better?

Hoping for another collaboration from a perfect team,
Texas Fanilow

The Ultimate Manilow...some thoughts

I'm growing weary of diatribes...it's time to move on to more important thoughts. Such as some audio commentary from the Ultimate Manilow DVD. Can I say that I LOVE this DVD? My absolute favorite line is, "it is I, the Ulitmate Manilow". Cracks me up every single time. But what I adore about this DVD is the audio commentary. There are some absolute gems in there.

First gem: "It just makes me realize the power of music and performing and what a gift I've been given". Any fanilow knows the absolute truth in this statement--the power of music and performing. It's what makes us move hell and high water for one chance to see him live in concert. It's what drives us to share his music with every person we meet, know, or briefly encounter (sometimes to their utter disgust).

Second gem: "Sometimes I just feel like a preacher or something leading a congregation of happy, joyous people." Great analogy Barry! You encapsulated the essence of what your concerts are all about: happy and joyous. Smiles all around. Laughter and revelry abound. It's a 90 minute celebration of joy that we all are a little sad to see end. We leave, planning our next trip and hoping to grab some more of that infectious joy.

Once again, thanks Barry for using your gift and giving all of us joy...
Off to watch some more of "the Ultimate Manilow",
Texas Fanilow

Barrynet Message Board...the NEW IM

I'm not usually a complainer. Live and let live is my motto and I try and get along with everyone. Lately, it's extremely hard to abide by those who post incessantly over and over and over again on the Barrynet message board. That's right...it's a MESSAGE board. NOT, and I repeat NOT a chat room. For some reason, these people can't seem to understand the difference between the two.

Last night, trying to be the nice, diplomatic person that I am, I posted directions on how to open an account on MSN messenger...yes, I know perhaps there was a little sarcasm involved there. But seriously, if you want to talk to your "friends", find another place! They should open a chat room on PalTalk and call it "Barry's Leather Lounge"....

Happy in BLOGGER land,
Texas Fanilow

A Time for Action

Dear fellow bloggers,
Since it has come to our attention that Harmony may be in jeopardy, several of us have decided to ban together in prayer for Barry and the fulfillment of his dream..."he just wants to get six guys up on the stage"...

Here's a post from the Bnet. Please consider joining our efforts if you believe in the power of prayer.

Dear Friends and Fellow Barry Fans -

I'm writing to you today what I believe will be the single most important message I could bring to you this year. It deals with Barry, it deals with the power of prayer, it deals with long forgotten talent. My request is simple, take the next few moments to read carefully - take the words into your heart, mind, soul and spirit and then ACT.

We know very well that God does things in His own timing. A perfect timing that's never too late or too early. In my spirit it is the right time NOW for us to move into a realm of prayer like none we've undertaken before. Why you ask?? Because deep down inside of me, I feel the Spirit saying now is the right time for all of us to concentrate all our efforts to bring Harmony to the stage. For we (in the Prayer Circle), that means only one thing ... to pray fervently and continually until we see it come to pass.

Why do we want to do this?? For Barry, certainly, we all know Harmony is his "baby". To show everyone how powerful prayer actually is, of course! It'll be a mighty witness to all... believers and non-believers alike. Because we are being told this is the right time, definitely. Most of all, because it'll remind the world of talent almost totally lost and forgotten. It's to give a legacy to the talented men who were all but eradicated from the history books. So the world will grow and learn by their story.

Now is the time people. All of us, whether a member of the Prayer Circle or not, need to join each other in prayer and bring this project to fruition. In the words of Larry The Cable Guy..."get er done" !!!

Please consider the plea as an invitation to give something back to Barry for his years of giving to us. He deserves it and so does Harmony.What no man has been able to accomplish - God can.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. Most of all, I appreciate your
participation. God moves when His people humble themselves and pray.

May Our Heavenly Father bless you exceedingly,abundantly -
Pat

Waiting on God to move this mountain for Barry,
Texas Fanilow

Stranger than Fiction

I just finished watching "Stranger than Fiction" with Will Farrell. Yes. I know this is a Barry blog...bear with me for a second and you'll see how it all ties in.

Harold Crick is the main character and his life is being narrated by an author that is writing a book. All of her books are tragedies: the main character ALWAYS dies in the end. Harold's life is basically meaningless until it progresses towards its end (I won't spoil the ending for any of you that might want to watch it--I highly recommend it!). At the end of the movie, the narrator says that all our lives are a series of minor incidents that become major when you can see the entire story. And that we should enjoy the simple daily occurences along the way to the final outcome. For me, that statement just served to put the last year of my life and most recently the events of the last month into perspective.

Being a Christian, I always try to see God in everything. Some days I can, and some days I just can't seem to understand why "stuff happens". But God, in some respects, is like an author. He is writing our life story as we live it and he knows the final outcome. He knows how all the little pieces of the plot fit together and how each simple twist and turn can be a major change in the direction of the story. And most importantly, he knows his main characters better than we know ourselves.

God knew that Mr. Manilow needed to be a performer, not just a composer. God knew that his talent would be used in ways Barry himself couldn't even imagine. God knew that I needed the music of Manilow, as did and do so many others like me.

Our lives really are "stranger than fiction" and as Barry always admonishes us, we should enjoy the ride, do what we love, and above all, HAVE FUN...

Happy to be the main character in my life right now,
Texas Fanilow

It's all about the leather...or is it?

Yes. Leather is apparently back in full force in Manilow land for an encore performance in Wednesday night's show. It is all the rage now and the fans have apparently lost all sense of reason and rationale. It's the talk on the Barrynet. As a matter of fact, it's ALL they talk about these days. Don't get me wrong, I like leather as much as the next person (well...have to admit, I'm a suit kind of fan, but I won't begrudge the occasional leather appearance).

HOWEVER. Are we really that consumed that it's all we can find to talk about? Apparently some fans are. I prefer to discuss the music and passion. I prefer to discuss how the music has changed all of our lives. I prefer to discuss the friendships that have been formed and remain due to a mutual admiration and respect for this man's talent and body of work. All the glitz and glamour in the world is not enough to replace the life changes that have happened due to the emotion and feeling and passion in just one song.

Next time the topic of leather comes up, remember that leather ages with time and even dries out losing it's luster. Barry is ageless, never loses his ability to move people, and shines above almost every other singer/songwriter/composer in his field.

That's something to "chew" on...
Texas Fanilow

Words from the "non fans"

It's easy for those of us that are mesmerized by the Manilow magic to "get it" about Barry and his music. But when those non fans see what we see...it gives us hope and underscores what we have been saying about him all along--his music and his lyrics move us "every single day".

We fans joke about being surrounded by "civilians" in the shows, but in reality, many of us were civilians at one time or another--newly discovering what the die-hard fans knew all along. What is that exactly? That Barry's music makes us happy and gives us joy in a world that's not so joyful at times. That his music makes us smile even when we don't feel like smiling. And that his resilient spirit motivates all of us to be the best we can be in this life and in our own corner of this world.

Just for fun, I did a blog search looking for non fan comments on his shows...here are just a few of many.

http://missmatchblog.blogspot.com
I went to see Barry Manilow on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. I know you might think that I am a dork but I love the guy's music. Remember... he "writes the songs that make the young girls cry"... And let me tell you... his lyrics, well I cried several times during the concert. So.. Some advice... Find the person with whom you can go to your version of a Barry Manilow concert, someone who is going to be willing to share those dorky things that you like to do with you, someone who is willing to learn to like what you like without giving you a hard time about it. And you need to want to do the same for them. And if Barry is actually your secret passion... don't be embarrassed. And keep in mind that a great way of getting your guy to like him is to let him know how great Barry's music is for "setting the mood". You might be surprised about how quickly he will join you at the next concert!

http://www.happiness-project.com
And when the evening began, I was very distracted and troubled. I couldn’t stop thinkingabout something that was bothering me. But eventually the music, the show, the novelty, and most of all, the company of other people, worked to boost my mood. As I began to cheer up, my self absorption lifted (a good example of why there’s a duty to be happy). The words in the songs led me to a meditation on happiness, and I began to ask myself:

Like Mandy, do I give without taking?
Is there tenderness any more in my fingertips?
Yes, I have the magic at
last—am I living up to it?
And so Barry Manilow, with his greatest hits and his favorite songs from the 40’s, 50s, 60’s, and 70’s, worked on me as a call to greater love.

http://www.dieiscast.com
In any event, last night my wife and I were invited to a performance of Barry Manilow’s “Music and Passion” show at the Las Vegas Hilton. To be completely candid, it’s probably not my first choice for a night’s entertainment. I missed out on the original Barry-mania of the 1970s, so a lot of the appeal is lost on me. … the roof really came off the place with the closing numbers. I really liked the way they did “Mandy.” It started with concert footage of 1975 Barry doing the song on TV, and for the second verse segued into 2006 Barry doing it live. I’m normally not a fan of seeing videos at concerts, but this was really neat. The glow sticks really came out for that one. And by the time the band hit “Copacabana,” the place exploded. Just about everyone was dancing in the aisles, and it was obvious that it was truly “a good time had by all.”

The next time you are in Vegas, listen to the comments from the non fans as you are leaving the theatre. Well..perhaps I should say NEW FANS...because that's what happens at Music and Passion. New fans walk out of that theatre every single night!

Here's to the SMSSG and his music...long may he reign!

Texas Fanilow

Looks like he made it...AGAIN!

I was at my local Best Buy yesterday browsing the music section and low and behold, I came across Barry's music. Mind you...in the past few years, there has been ONE rack of his music if you were lucky. Yesterday, there were FIVE...yes that's right FIVE. All the re-releases were there, GSTOF, GTSOTS, The Legacy edition of Live, even the Mayflower CD.

Looks like Barry has finally re-emerged into the pop music world again. A few racks over was Babs, and guess what? Only THREE racks of her CD's. I'm thinking this says something. Barry's music is selling again. Not that we should be surprised. But, somehow it seems fitting and comforting to find him on the shelves once again. And knowing that new fans are out there discovering the magic of Manilow.


Here's to all the new fans and their discovery of "the man and his music",
Texas Fanilow

Barry...we need you more than ever!

I'd like to send the world an invitation.

And throw a party for everyone.

A night of brotherhood and celebration.

And you can bet before the night is done.

Everybody will see that we're a family

And ALL HUMANITY will be dancing in the aisles!

I've been listening to this song lately and am reminded of the absolute joy that occurs at a Manilow concert. With the recent news and events surrounding the shootings at Virginia Tech, it makes it even more apparent that HUMANITY is in need of a huge dose of Barry Manilow.

I'm absolutely dumbfounded that a human being can do something so heinous without regard for human life. Words don't seem adequate right now. My heart and prayers go out to the families of these students and the other students who have survived. Their lives will never be the same...

Speechless,

Texas Fanilow

Sharon Stone vs Barry Manilow--NO CONTEST!

The Copacabana Catfight: Sharon Stone vs. Barry Manilow (from Eonline)
No doubt Sharon Stone did good last night at the Billie Awards when she helped raise a ton of cash for the Women's Sports Foundation. However, did she really need to do it at the expense of a music legend like "Copacabana" crooner Barry Manilow? … when Manilow's pic popped up on a monitor, Stone cracked, "Oh, look! That was after the third face lift...I mean, hip replacement." Manilow's rep declined to comment, but a Manilow pal says Stone should zip it. "That’s a shame that she would stoop so low," the pal said. "It certainly shows her own true colors." Stone's rep declined to comment.

That’s it…enough already. First of all, let me just say that because I am NOT like this certain B_ _ _ _ _ of a woman, I won’t say what I really think about her. Suffice it to say her reputation and her “body” of work, if you call it that, can’t even hold a candle to the talent and longevity of Mr. Manilow. When people make fun of other people, they are insecure. They belittle people they don’t know or understand to make themselves feel more important. The following article betrays who she really is and what she’s all about:

“Young people talk to me about what to do if they're being pressed for sex? I tell them (what I believe): oral sex is a hundred times safer than vaginal or anal sex. "If you're in a situation where you cannot get out of sex, offer a blow job. I'm not embarrassed to tell them."
(from an article on www.contactmusic.com)

Great role model, Sharon. Maybe you should have a chat with Barry. I’m sure he could tell you how to act in public! Enough said.

Sick of people shooting their mouths off,
Texas Fanilow

Barry in the sports world...some images to ponder

Yes. It's official. I've lost my mind. The deep thinking Manilow fan was dragged down today when chatting about Barry and his sports expertise. I guess even the serious minded individual has to have fun every now and then...right???

Heading to therapy,

Texas Fanilow

Shadowman...it must be surreal

How can we ever be able to understand what it's like to be Barry Manilow? He walks out on stage and the idol worship begins. Fans scream, women swoon, the applause is deafening. All the while, he's just a man, living his life to the best of his ability, trying to make a difference in this world.

I wonder sometimes if he ever shakes his head in total disbelief that his fans feel the way they do about him. "No one knows you but they all love you... Look how many believe they need you... Look how many have tried to read you, no one can...every fan needs a fantasy."

We spend hours online and chatting about what we think he is like and dislikes. How he feels about his fans, his life, his music. We ponder what he's doing when he's not being "our Barry". We wonder which song he likes to sing the most and which song he detests singing over and over again. In all honesty, we can't possibly know the "real" shadowman?

Or do we? We see the way he treats his friends, many who have been with him since the beginning and still admire him. We see how he loved his grandparents and mother and how family is very important to him. We see how he loves the world and cares about the impact he makes among his fellow man. We see integrity in the way that he remains above reproach and is never a subject of tabloid press or inuendo. We see how he searches for the truth and has a deep spirituality about him.

"If they could see behind the smile and find the fear and doubt, they'd turn away, they'd have the whole thing figured out..."

Pondering the shadows,
Texas Fanilow

Can't Smile Without You...what it's all about...

I'm still astounded at the way critics treat Barry's music. This one gave his song a B...the noise at the end??? What's that about?

You know. The real draw of that song is Barry's interpretation of the lyrics. You just can't avoid smiling when you listen to it. It's such an uplifting melody. The whistle at the beginning just sets the tone for the rest of the song.

And once again, it's the memories that are made listening, singing, and watching those lucky ladies that got to sing with him on stage. Leave it to Barry to pick such a great "fan" interaction and lend himself to so many wonderful memories.

I can't smile without you, Barry.
Thanks for the grins from ear to ear....
Texas Fanilow

The Mentor: A Music Legend Shares His Take on the Making of an Idol

In his own words: "I try to teach them. You gotta love what you are doing...my show in Vegas is Music and Passion, and I ain't kidding. That's my life".

If you're a Manilow fan, you've got to pick up this special issue of People. It gives you insight into why Barry does what he does and why he considers himself an arranger.

For those of us that have followed his career, he's more than that. He's a mentor, yes. But not just to those Idol kids. He's a mentor to every one of his fans. He inspires us to live our passions, whatever those might be. He inspires us to treat people as he treats people, with respect and love. He inspires us to keep trying even when it seems like we may never succeed. And he inspires us to become better human beings. That my friends, is the real definition of mentoring.

Thanks Barry, for mentoring me by setting an example of kindness, perserverance and passion.

From a grateful fan,
Texas Fanilow