Although the main criteria for a song to make it onto my music posts is that I have to like it (why on earth would I play something I don’t like???), I do consider my readers when I’m choosing a song, usually way into the wee hours.  I consider whether it was a hit, the type of music, the artist, and whether it played well in Canada and the UK, where about half of my readers live.  Tonight, however, is the exception.

Tonight I am playing a song by Barry Manilow, who some will turn their noses up at, for his music is often considered passé.  This song peaked at #4 in the U.S., #3 in Canada, and as far as I can find was never even played in the UK.  I am playing it … because I like it, because it makes me think of someone, because I am incredibly sad tonight over the state of this nation that I once considered my home, and … just because I want to.  So, I hope you’ll listen, but if not, that’s okay too — at least you will enjoy the trivia.  If you hated it, give me a request and I’ll try to play something you like later this week!

Barry Manilow, even when he was at his peak in the 70s and 80s, was under-appreciated by the general populace, however a number of people in the music industry recognized his talent, including Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan, who once told him “Don’t stop doing what you’re doing, man. We’re all inspired by you.”

According to SongFacts …

In the late ’60s and early ’70s, Barry Manilow got his start in the music industry by working as a commercial jingle writer. Many fans probably don’t realize that several of his slogans are still used today, including his lines for State Farm (“Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there”) and Band-Aid (“I am stuck on Band-Aid brand ’cause Band-Aid’s stuck on me!”) Manilow also penned tunes for KFC, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and McDonald’s.

For years, Barry Manilow was a mainstay act in Las Vegas. In 2004, he signed a two-year deal with the Las Vegas Hilton to be the resident performer. The deal was extended for another two years in 2006. After doing some one-off shows in New York City, Cleveland, and Detroit from 2007 to 2008, Manilow announced that his final show at the Hilton in Vegas would take place on December 30th, 2009. However, in March 2010, the singer signed a new deal to be the resident guest at the Paris Hotel & Casino. In December 2011, Manilow finally ended his Vegas run after 7 years performing almost exclusively in Sin City.

In the late ’80s Barry Manilow used to live next to Ronald and Nancy Reagan in the Bel-Air region of California. Manilow told Us magazine that Secret Service was always around, with helicopters periodically flying over to keep the former US President protected. Manilow also joked that his new neighbors “cramped his style of sunbathing in the nude.”

In 2006, Australian officials announced that they were using Barry Manilow’s music to keep unruly hooligans off the streets. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, officials would blast Manilow’s tunes from 9pm to midnight to deter youth gangs from congregating in residential areas. In response, Manilow released a humorous statement arguing that the tactic wouldn’t work because the youths might actually like his music.

Barry Manilow was sued by an Arizona judge in 1993. The judge, who had recently attended a Manilow concert in Tucson, complained that the volume level of the show was far too loud and that he had contracted tinnitus by attending. Manilow’s production company, a concert promoter, and the city of Tucson were also named in the suit, which was eventually settled out of court.

Somewhere In the Night
Barry Manilow

Time, you found time enough to love
And I found love enough to hold you
So tonight I’ll stir the fire you feel inside
Until the flames of love enfold you
Layin’ beside you lost in the feeling
So glad you opened my door, come with me
Somewhere in the night we will know
Everything lovers can know
You’re my song, music too magic to end
I’ll play you over and over again
Lovin’ so warm, movin’ so right
Closin’ our eyes and feelin’ alive
We’ll just go on burnin’ bright
Somewhere in the night

You’ll sleep when the mornin’ comes
And I’ll lie and watch you sleepin’
And you’ll smile when you dream about the night
Like it’s a secret you’ve been keepin’
Layin’ beside you lost in the feeling
So glad you opened my door
You’re my song, music too magic to end
I’ll play you over and over again
Lovin’ so warm, movin’ so right
Closin’ our eyes and feelin’ alive
We’ll just go on burnin’ bright
Somewhere in the night

We’ll just go on burnin’ bright
Somewhere in the night!!

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Richard Kerr / Will Jennings
Somewhere In the Night lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group