I like Manilow, except that, as a heterosexual male, I’m not allowed to admit it. And all of his songs are arranged according to the same formula, building to a big, overblown climactic finish. And some of his more fanatical fans scare me. But aside from all that: yeah, he’s cool. Surely his appearance on Family Guy bumped him up a notch or two in coolness.
There’s nothing wrong with Frankie and Dean. Nothing at all.
Well said. I wouldn’t say either Diamond or Manilow is at the very top of my list of favorite music, but I like them both just fine and consider them to be excellent songwriters. Don’t have any Manilow in my collection, but I bought this mostly to get “Cherry, Cherry,” which I think is awesome.
Neil’s okay. But I love Barry. I grew up in the '70s on his music. One Voice is the last Manilow album I bought, having moved on to other things, but I do love him so.
Now I’ve realized I have no Barry on CD or mp3. Off to download!
BTW, please do no report me to the Dave Barry blog, where Manilow-hatin’ is the norm. I don’t want them to kick me off.
I’m 30 but I like Neil Diamond. My uncle used to play his stuff all the time and I think that’s how I picked up my appreciation for him. There are a lot of thritysomethings who like Neil Diamond, in fact. Many of my friends are much bigger fans than I. Of course, my wife hates him. I guess it’s like what Bill Murray said in What About Bob?: “there are two types of people in this world – those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t.”
I’m not really a Manilow fan but when he was playing in DC a few years ago a friend had some free tickets. I went and had a really good time. That man puts on an excellent show. I cam away with much more respect for him after that. He has a great voice, he knows how to work a crowd, and his songs are better than I gave them credit for.
Back in the late '70’s the local radio station had a very unchanging playlist. So, riding to work in the morning with my uncle, at precisely 7:45 AM, I would be forced to listen to ‘Copacabana’. Every single morning. Gah!
However, I actually met Barry somewhere in the late '80’s. He is the most humble, genuine, and nicest famous person I’ve ever met. Can’t say a bad thing about him. So, I started listening to his stuff. Not my most favorite, but I can appreciate it.
Hand me a slice of porcupine pie, and I’ll join in. I like Neil a lot more than Barry, but Barry’s good.
I like Barry and I am not ashamed.
I saw him in concert once and I had front row seats. My sister is the crazy Manilow fan and she camped out for the tickets for over a week. Since I was part of the support team, bringing her food and such, I got tickets.
I couldn’t get a date for the concert though.
Weekend in New England is the best song to play when having sex.
Neil Diamond is great and if you like the rocking stuff check out Cherry Cherry (live version).
I don’t care one way or the other about Diamond and Manilow, but I loves me some Billy Joel. Does that count?
Dude, you suck.
Barbarian wanders off wondering if some sort of biological switch is gonna force him to like Manilow and Diamond in six years
I’ve always liked both Manilow and Diamond for decades. Manilow put words to the “Bandstand” theme and had a medley of commercial jingles. I had a very much-loved dog named Mandy.
As for Diamond, he’s cool again. He’s been making albums with Rick Rubin, and his latest, “Home Before Dark,” is on track to become his first Billboard #1 album ever.
I used to pooh-pooh Diamond, but once many years ago I got roped into going to one of his shows.
He got my respect. He worked really really hard to give a good show. Thoroughly professional in every way.
Well, doesn’t everybody like Billy Joel? 
I can’t honestly say that I’m major fans of either.
… but …
… when “Daybreak” by Manilow comes on the radio I invariably crank it up!
My husband says the same thing about “Barely Man-Enough.” He got dragged to a concert by a girl who wanted to go, so he went. Not a great fan of the music, but was a killer show with outstanding production and the guy worked his ass off.
The best I can do is admit to cranking “Mandy” on the car radio, singing along on the top of my lungs and hoping no maniac is hiding in my back seat because how embarrassing would that be, but, no, I won’t help you throw off any stigma.
I have a funny Neil Diamond related story though. My nephew is into good rock music and has been known to go to some great concerts with his dad. One day his mom decided to play a little trick on him. She said, “Drew, Daddy made a bad mistake. Instead of getting tickets for Neil Young, he got them for Neil Diamond! He feels terrible so just go along with it. But don’t worry, Grammy and Papa love him so how bad could it be.”
Just want a then-14 year old wants as a recommendation. Grammy and Papa love him, indeed.
Thank you for this thread!
I have loved–LOVED!–Barry Manilow since I was about 9 or 10 (1974 or so…) and just saw him in concert for the first time 2 weeks ago. I am not ashamed to admit wiping away tears of joy at hearing “I Write the Songs”, “I Made It Through The Rain” and “Mandy” in a live setting. It truly moved me to hear these songs that meant so much to me as little girl performed live. Barry’s show was fabulous, absolutely the BEST concert I have ever seen.
Neil Diamond is also in my top 5 favorite music artists of all time. I’ve seen him in concert and he puts on a fabulous show–and he’s touring this summer!!
My top 5 artists of all time:
Barry Manilow
John Denver
Neil Diamond
Rick Springfield
Phil Collins
I have not played any John Denver songs since his death…too sad, I cry every time!
I am 34 and I love both of them and listen to them on my Ipod almost every day. A lot of people that claim to hate them are flat-out lying. The evidence is stronger for Neil Diamond but Barry has it too. Here in Beantown where people take their Red Sox super-seriously, “Sweet Caroline” is the unofficial song of the Red Sox. Go into a large piano bar sometime and people are going to request Neil Diamond left and right and maybe Barry as well. They get quite the crowd response and these venues aren’t populated by old people much. Of course there is the objective evidence of ticket sales and venues as well.
I heard just this morning that Neil Diamond never had a #1 hit but he is very likely to this week. I don’t know the song but had instantly strong sales in the past few days.
I love Neil Diamond.
I cannot stand the cloying treacle that is Barry Mannilow.
“Mandy” is an awesome song. I’m not fond of the rest of Manilow’s oeuvre, but how many people get the one great song anyway?
And I do like Neil and am not embarassed.
I am, however, 28, and possibly young enough that it’s “cool” again.