About the song
“Mandy” by Barry Manilow is one of those timeless ballads that resonates deeply with listeners, and it’s a song that truly helped establish Manilow as a household name. Released in 1974 as a single from his second studio album, Barry Manilow II, “Mandy” became his first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1975. The song’s success was a pivotal moment in Manilow’s career, setting the stage for his future as a pop music icon throughout the 1970s and beyond.
Interestingly, “Mandy” was originally written and recorded under a different title—”Brandy”—by Scott English and Richard Kerr in 1971. Scott English’s original version had moderate success in the UK, but it was Manilow’s rendition that truly brought the song to life. When Manilow decided to record the song, the title was changed from “Brandy” to “Mandy” to avoid confusion with the hit song “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass, which was popular around the same time.
Manilow’s version of “Mandy” is noted for its heartfelt, emotional delivery and lush orchestration, which became a hallmark of his style. The song tells the story of a man reflecting on a past love, filled with regret and longing, which is conveyed beautifully through Manilow’s expressive vocals. The poignant lyrics and memorable melody have made “Mandy” an enduring favorite, often covered by other artists but never quite equaled in its original form. This track not only launched Barry Manilow’s career but also became a defining moment in the landscape of 1970s pop music.