I Write the Songs 1/16/20

I might get roasted for daring to call this song a "Great Song of the '70s."

There's definitely a faction out there that doesn't like the song, the artist, and possibly the songwriter.

But personally, I cannot, in good conscience, ignore the artist, who had a score of BIG hits in the 70s...or the songwriter, who is a member of my all time favorite group: The Beach Boys.

Bruce Johnston wrote "I Write the Songs," but didn't have a hit with it--solo or otherwise. (I've never understood why The Beach Boys didn't record it.) Many people believe that Bruce composed it with Brian Wilson in mind, but he insists it's about God...and that makes sense if you listen carefully to the lyrics.

Barry Manilow didn't want to record it. He was afraid it would make him sound like a monumental egotist and turn off his fans. He also wasn't fond of the irony of singing about writing songs in a song he didn't write.

At this point, Clive Davis, the legendary president of Barry's label, Arista, stepped in, persuaded Barry to record it, and released it as a single. Bruce was thrilled. Barry crossed his fingers.

In the end, it worked out pretty well: In January of 1976, the song went to #1 in the U.S., #2 in Canada...and #5 in both Australia and South Africa.

Barry still sings it during his concerts...and Mike Love will occasionally let Bruce sing it at a Beach Boys concert.. Did that sound a bit snarky? I hope so.