Throwing back to the week of January 17, 1976, we find Barry Manilow atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘I Write the Songs,’ which spent a single week at #1 after debuting on the chart a month and a half earlier.
Two other versions of this song were released in 1975 — one by Captain & Tennille on their album Love Will Keep Us Together, and another by David Cassidy for his album The Higher They Climb. Neither was released as a single.
Neither Manilow nor Captain & Tennille nor Cassidy actually wrote ‘I Write the Songs.’ That honor belongs to Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys, who won a Song of the Year Grammy for his composition.
Johnston says the “I” in the song is God, not Brian Wilson. Wilson, on the other hand, wrote ‘God Only Knows.’ I know which one I prefer.
I’ve been alive forever
And I wrote the very first song
I put the words and the melodies together
I am music and I write the songs
[Chorus]
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
[Verse 2]
My home lies deep within you
And I’ve got my own place in your soul
Now when I look out through your eyes
I’m young again, even though I’m very old
[Chorus]
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
[Bridge]
Oh, my music makes you dance
And gives you spirit to take the chance
And I wrote some rock ‘n’ roll so you can move
Music fills your heart, well, that’s a real fine place to start
It’s from me, it’s for you
It’s from you, it’s for me
It’s a worldwide symphony
[Chorus]
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
[Chorus]
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
[Outro]
I am music (Music) and I write the songs
Meet Me In Montauk 
Wow! I’ve spent 48 years of my life assuming that Manilow wrote his signature song (and that he, not God, was the “I.”)This would be a bit like finding out that Billy Joel didn’t write “Piano Man” or that Elton John didn’t write “Your Song” (though I am not putting Manilow in the same league as either artist).
I’m sure I am far from the only person who assumed Manilow wrote this song and was singing about himself!
c
I never really liked Manilow or his music so I never paid attention but I agree it seems like he would have written the song.