It was originally written for David Cassidy, who put it on a single, then it was covered by The Captain And Tennille who put it on their “Love Will Keep Us Together” album, then Berry Manilow got his mitts on it and the rest is history. Personally, I think Cassidy had the best version.
You?
Huh? Never knew there were other versions other than Barry’s. And with my wonky internet, ain’t gonna see or hear them other two for a spell.
Just as well, I guess.
So, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard David Cassidy sing anything, that I can remember.
I think all three of the versions you linked to do the song justice, and are better than songwriter Bruce Johnston’s own version; but Barry’s is the version I grew up with. It’s kind of his signature song, and it really works well with his shtick of starting soft and building to a huge, over-the-top climax.
Sinatra did a version that isn’t gonna be anyone’s favorite.
My favorite is the one on Marcel Marceau’s self-titled LP. No not that one, the one he did a capella.
They’re all bad.
I know. I’d like to say “Well, the best of the worst is … .” but my heart isn’t into that at all.
I went looking for the version by the guy who actually wrote the song and … yeeeech.
Who did that song best? Isn’t that like citing vintage years for RC Cola? Or making urination a Nobel Prize category?
Submitted without comment- Rene Simard.
I thought this had to be a joke thread of some sort.
That song always makes me think of Adventure Comics #477 which had the Plastic Man story “Disco Plas” featuring Rod Sewage, Rupert Hoax and Morrie Banalo (who sings “I write the songs that make the young girls itch, I write the songs that make ASCAP rich”).
If John Cage ever did a version of it, that’s probably the best one.
It’s an easy song to write parody lyrics for, that’s for sure. Mine go:
I write the songs that make the whole world cry,
I write the songs that make you want to die
which nicely sum up my feelings about the song.
Welp, it is, isn’t it?
Since Barry M. as it turns out, did NOT write the song, after all.
Is this a trick question?
I listened to each of the linked songs, at least for 60 seconds or so.
I actually like Toni Tenille’s singing on some ballads. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of them.
Since Rene Simard’s version was submitted without comment, I will refrain for comment, as well.
I recently drove down Highway 47. Toni Rolletti has his own club now. He doesn’t perform much anymore, but if you ask him nicely, he’ll do a song between acts.
Bruce Johnston would have been better if he had done a quiet version with an acoustic guitar. He simply didn’t have the chops for that arrangement.
David Cassidy was better than I expected. Unfortunately, that only gets him up to “not bad,” which isn’t good enough.
It’s a battle of the ehh. I’ll stick with Manilow.
At first glance I read that as ‘Brian Johnson’ and thought that would be, uh, interesting.
Somehow, Bruce Johnston is the only Beach Boy with a Grammy for songwriting because of this song.
I’m going have to give this one to my boy Barry. Why? Because I Really Do Write the Songs 
I had a massive crush on David Cassidy when I was a kid. But I don’t remember him singing that song!
I choose David because he needs some recognition. He had a nice voice (and he was very good looking) but was never able to rise above the teen idol status. His life really turned out crappy. I always felt bad for him…even worse after I heard how he was treated by his father.