Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, United States) is … Read Full Bio ↴Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, United States) is an American pop singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana (At the Copa)".

In 1978, five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously, a feat equaled only by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Mathis. He has recorded a string of Billboard hit singles and multi-platinum albums that have resulted in his being named Radio & Records number one Adult Contemporary artist and winning three straight American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. Several well-known entertainers have given Manilow their "stamp of approval," including Sinatra, who was quoted in the 1970s regarding Manilow, "He's next." In 1988, Bob Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, "Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you."

As well as producing and arranging albums for other artists, such as Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick, Manilow has written songs for musicals, films, and commercials. From February 2005 to December 30, 2009, he was the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, performing hundreds of shows before ending relationship with the hotel. From March 2010, he has headlined at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. He has sold more than 80 million records worldwide

Carol Of The Bells / Jingle Bells
Barry Manilow Lyrics

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The bells of christmas
Are ringing in the night
The children string there lights upon the tree
The bells of christmas
They sing to me tonight
Bring back thoughts of you and me

Central Park

Sliding round in the snow
And then after dark
Filling the fires burning glow

The bells of christmas
They ring of what could be
For the bells of christmas
They ring for you and me
Sunday walks watching ships in the bay

Midnight talks we voul
We never let love slip away
The bells of christmas
They ring of what could be
For the bells of christmas
The bells of christmas

The bells of christmas
They ring for you and me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Barry Manilow's "Carol of the Bells / Jingle Bells" evoke nostalgia as they take the listener down memory lane. The song talks about the feelings of love and joy that are associated with the holiday season. The ringing bells of Christmas make the singer reminisce about a special someone who is no longer with them. The children decorating the tree with lights, the snow in Central Park, and the fires burning glow evoke happy memories of this special time of the year. The bells of Christmas ring of the possibilities of a future love, as well as a reminder of the precious moments shared with someone special in the past.

Through the lyrics, Barry Manilow captures the essence of Christmas as a time of joy, love, and hope. The ringing of the bells symbolizes the joy that comes with celebrating the birth of Christ. The snow and the lights represent the beauty of the season, while the fires burning glow indicates warmth and comfort. The lyrics also show that the holiday season is a time when people cherish the memories of loved ones who are no longer with them. The bells of Christmas bring back memories of past times shared with those special people and invoke the hope of creating new memories with new people.

Line by Line Meaning

The bells of christmas
The iconic sounds of the season

Are ringing in the night
Can be heard all around us, during these special evenings

The children string there lights upon the tree
As young ones decorate the holiday's signature emblem

The bells of christmas
Continuing to sound out

They sing to me tonight
A sweet, harmonious melody lifting spirits

Bring back thoughts of you and me
Transporting listeners to warm memories of togetherness

Central Park
A popular destination during the winter festivities

Sliding round in the snow
Enjoying playful activities in the crisp winter weather

And then after dark
Once night falls

Filling the fires burning glow
Warming up by the hearth

The bells of christmas
Still chiming away