Music Review: Barry Manilow's Greatest Songs of the Eighties

First of all, no matter how old he seems to get, Barry Manilow continues to be the greatest romantic crooner of this century. He writes the songs that make the young girls cry. Second of all, for all the big hair, scary fanny-packness of the 80s, the music during that time was pretty rocking.

Now put those two together, and you have some sort of bizarre fanny-pack romance that I don’t want to understand. If this intrigues you, you’ll love Barry Manilow’s newest edition to his greatest songs of the decade series—Songs of the Eighties.

Manilow has wooed his way into the hearts of many Americans, such as the always fabulous Bette Midler and even Frank Sinatra who said in the 1970’s, “He’s next.” You, however, may recognize him as the man who sang “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” and “Can’t Smile without You.”

His achievements seem endless. He’s sold more than 76 million records worldwide, and in 1978, five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously. Ever since 2000, Manilow has made a tremendous comeback. I like to think it was all the Moms making their kids listen to his greatest hits while cleaning the house. And although you may assume these kids, myself included, grew up associating his voice with mop water, they have instead revived Manilow’s music and are probably forcing him into their own children’s lives.

However, what it really comes down to is not only does his music and voice enchant through the decades, but also through the generations. I let my mother, who’s been 36 for several years now, borrow Greatest Songs of the Eighties. She loved it and lent it to my 18-year-old sister who loved it. I really hope to get it back someday because I too loved it. 

Article Author: Janica Unruh

Janica Unruh has her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the college of Professional Writing at the University of Oklahoma. She is happily married to a very nerdy engineer and enjoys writing more than breathing, but refuses to give up the latter.

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