Barry Manilow - Could It Be Magic (original Bell version)

Barry Manilow - Could It Be Magic (original Bell version)

From the Bell Records album "Barry Manilow" (Bell #1129, 1973).

Barry's second version of "Could It Be Magic", the first being the Tony Orlando-produced "Featherbed" version. When this LP was reissued in 1975 on Arista Records as "Barry Manilow I", several songs had been reworked and remixed, including this one. This version has never been reissed on LP or CD.

[Ladysensei]

My wedding music October 19, 1985. My husband chose that song because people told him he looked like Barry Manilow. Just like this photo here. We had 10 wonderful years together. Unfortunately he passed away one week before our 10th wedding anniversary. Tomorrow it was 36 years ago we said I do. I still miss him and so much has happened since he passed in 1995. One thing remains this song is still perfection. 🙏🏻

[JanineHart-Hueber]

Just attended his Boston concert last night at the Garden and he was fantastic! Unfortunately he didn't do the full-length version of this, my favorite song, but he really was wonderful! He also turned me onto Chopin's music!

[kimmaguder]

Listening to the lyrics of this song, it sounds like a prayer. He is manifesting her into his reality like a sacred twin flame ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[nickpembury]

I've often heard people discuss what is the saddest song ever written: Gloomy Sunday, Superstar, In My Life, etc, etc. For me it is the original version of Could It Be Magic. A doomed declaration of love to a woman written by a gay man in the throes of a desperate, wretched crisis, knowing that his declaration is a destructive act, knowing the consequences will be catastrophic, yet proceeding because he cannot accept who he is. Everyone suffers. Nobody escapes. It is tragedy at its rawest. The way Barry Manilow delivers the lines here, his voice rasping, almost breaking in desperation as the illusion of his true feelings, his true self, disintegrate, is one of the most dreadful, most devastating, most self-knowing moments in popular culture. But there is a happy ending. Donna Summer's interpretation of the song is one of self-realisation, her performance a powerful, joyous declaration of self-acceptance and self-belief. For me she redeems the pain of the original version without diminishing it: in her hands it becomes a song of hope, of true love, a song whose time has come.

[raiderdanCA]

Digging this original out was so worth it ... sitting here in tears, and completely fulfilled. His greatest performance EVER ...

[TheQ-Continuum]

Still touring and performing in his late 70's and still going strong. This for me, was his finest piece of work in a long and illustrious career !!

Who’s here in 2025 if so you’re a legend 🎉🎉🎉❤

[ParchCraftAustralia]

Perfect beyond compare...it conjures every feeling of angst i had as a teen in the 70s ....and melds them with the knowing and experience i have now to just be ...everything i could ever feel in this moment. Magic.

[travelingaroundtheworld]

Barry has put up with a lot of criticism over the years, he has persevered and truly made it through the rain. ❤️

[bshs]

Crossing the Continental Divide near Chama, NM in 1981, after a break-up with my fiancée, in a cross-country trip to get my head together. This number was on the radio, of my '72 VW Super-Beetle. Thank you for this great post! :)

[ageoftheexile]

I've been looking for a different version of this song! So glad to find one that is longer. This is my absolute favorite Barry Manilow song. Silly as it may sound, I'm honored that I get to hear it. Thank you for uploading this!

[alisonbrown]

First time I heard it years ago loved it This song made me a fan

[jeannetrangata]

I never heard this rendition before.  It's quite lovely.  Barry's one of my all time favorites.  :)

[Jase]

Don't know how I feel about the record scratching.
I can feel it deep in my bones.
Takes me back to a lonely childhood where I held onto music/musicians like a little child tightly grasping her Mother's hand in a large crowd.
My innocence was forever taken to some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard.
My spirit heals as I remember being broken into pieces.
And it breaks as I remember being healed.

[PamelaRP]

God I love this song Barry. Glad when it was re-released that it was a #1 hit for you. A big big hit for you and am glad it was. This version is a little different. Love you Barry till the day that I die.

[jacquelinesuzann]

This is the best version of this song! And kudos to barry for giving a shout out to the one and only Miss Melissa Manchester his bestie ⬆️🔝💯💖⚜🎤🎭🎵🎶🥂👍

[rositanovele]

Sorry my dear I know exactly how you feel about this. My husband also passed away, he use to like Born Jovi a lot and now I even found difficult to listen to Born Jovi songs...be strong and take care.

[j.a.brookes]

Beautiful, romantic, thrilling melody and lyrics.  And not the same without the piano prelude.  Thanks.  8-)

[ricoz]

I grew up appreciating this man's music.
He sang so many great songs but this may be his greatest.
It is to me a song of HOPE.

[Padrefan]

I saw a episode of Dark Shadows 1st season and 1st episode. They played the prelude to this song and I was waiting for Barry Manilow to start singing