About the song
**Introduction to “Mandy”**
“Mandy,” originally titled “Brandy,” is a classic soft rock ballad that has seen numerous adaptations and reinterpretations since its initial release. The song was penned by Scott English and Richard Kerr, and it first appeared in the music scene in 1971. English’s original version, under the title “Brandy,” made a modest impact, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and receiving some attention in the US. The song’s early life was a testament to its potential, but it was Barry Manilow’s 1974 rendition that truly catapulted it into the spotlight.
Manilow’s version, which was retitled “Mandy” to avoid confusion with Looking Glass’s 1972 hit “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” marked a significant turning point for the song. Released as a single on October 7, 1974, “Mandy” quickly captured the public’s imagination, becoming Manilow’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts. The song’s lush orchestration and heartfelt delivery helped it resonate with listeners, earning it gold status and establishing Manilow as a prominent figure in the soft rock genre.
The transformation from “Brandy” to “Mandy” was driven by Clive Davis’s suggestion for Manilow to record the track. To avoid confusion with the earlier hit, Manilow and his producer, Ron Dante, opted for the new title and made some alterations to the song’s structure. Notably, they removed the first two lines from the fourth verse and repurposed them as a bridge, a change that Scott English later admitted he initially disliked but eventually came to appreciate for its commercial success.
Manilow’s “Mandy” was not just a commercial triumph but also a critical success. Cash Box praised the song for its “lushly orchestrated” quality and Manilow’s “fine piano work,” while Record World highlighted the way Manilow’s performance “builds from his solo foundation to the rafters of Joe Renzetti’s romantic strings.” The track’s emotional depth and melodic charm contributed to its lasting appeal, and it remains one of Manilow’s most beloved hits.
In popular culture, “Mandy” has been featured in various media, including a memorable scene in the TV show *Angel*, where the protagonist performs the song at a karaoke bar. This appearance further cemented the song’s place in the cultural zeitgeist.
Later, the song achieved renewed success when it was covered by the Irish boy band Westlife in 2003, reaching number one in the UK. This version, along with Manilow’s original, showcases the song’s enduring appeal and versatility across different musical eras and styles.
Overall, “Mandy” stands as a testament to the song’s timeless emotional resonance and its ability to connect with audiences across generations.
Video
Lyrics
I remember all my life
Raining down as cold as ice
Shadows of a man
A face through a window
Crying in the night
The night goes into
Morning, just another day
Happy people pass my way
Looking in their eyes
I see a memory
I never realized
How happy you made me
Oh, Mandy
Well, you came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Mandy
Well, you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today
Oh, Mandy
I’m standing on the edge of time
I’ve walked away when love was mine
Caught up in a world of uphill climbing
The tears are in my mind
And nothing is rhyming
Oh, Mandy
Well, you came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Mandy
Well, you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today
Oh, Mandy
Yesterday’s a dream
I face the morning
Crying on a breeze
The pain is calling
Oh, Mandy
Well, you came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Mandy
Well, you kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you today
Oh, Mandy
You came and you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Mandy
You kissed me and stopped me from shaking
And I need you