Can't Smile Without You - Barry Manilow (1978) 2/8/21

You may be surprised to learn that today's “Great Song of the '70s” was a case of “the third time's the charm!

In 1975, singer/songwriter David Martin released “Can't Smile Without You,” a song he had written with Christian Arnold and Jeff Morrow. Unfortunately—most likely because he was an unknown artist--the song did not chart.

Meanwhile, Richard Carpenter heard the song and thought it had possibilities, so he and Karen recorded it for their 1976 “A Kind of Hush” album. In a rare misstep , he didn't feel confident in the song's hit potential, so he released it as the “B” side of the Carpenters' single, “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft,” a song that turned out to have even LESS hit potential, peaking at just #32 on the Hot 100.

And that's when Barry Manilow took a crack at it.

Barry wrote up a new arrangement. changed some lyrics, came up with his own version, and released it as a single from his 1977 “Even Now” album.

And like I said, the third time was the charm! “Can't Smile Without You” went to #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, and #2 on the Hot 100. In Canada, the matching numbers were 4 and 2, respectively, and in Australia, it peaked at #3!

TRIVIA: Jerry Lewis would sing the song on his yearly MDA Telethon, with schmaltzy lyrics for the occasion.

“Can't Smile Without You:” A “Great Song of '77” for Barry Manilow...building on groundwork by David Martin and Richard Carpenter.

Barry Manilow (1977):

The Carpenters (1976):

David Martin (1975):

Jerry Lewis (MDA):