Barry Manilow has composed dozens of absolutely beautiful songs. Many of these songs haven’t been heard outside his enormous fan base. Radio air-time and public appearances have never given way to showcasing these songs in the manner they deserve in reaching a broader audience and sharing the multitude of talent that is Barry Manilow!
So often I hear people say “Barry Manilow; yeah he’s the guy who sang Mandy”. My response; yes, he is, but he’s also the musician, who has done so very much more.
One such song is “When the Meadow Was Bloomin’”. Barry wrote the music set to poignant lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
The song can be heard on one of Barry’s holiday albums “Because it’s Christmas” because of that, I’ve found myself listening to it often these past few weeks. It’s not really a holiday song in the classic sense, but one that touches my life throughout the year.
As is the case with much of the “music of Manilow”; when I hear certain songs they reach a place, bringing about feelings often known only to me. They bring about the catharsis I need to remember, feel and move forward.
I hope you’ll discover this song and really hear it. If you’ve been to that place, once good, but now for any number of reasons part of the past, you’ll understand why it means so much to me.