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 