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
No Other Love
Barry Manilow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There were no soft guitars
Hot summer love under the city stars
I was Mr. Dynamite
And you were my only girl
We held each other through the night
Caught in a whirl
In all of the world
In all of my life
There was no other love
There was no fireside
No Beaujolais for two
Winter was cold but we had me and you
All the words we used to say
All the crazy plans we made
We were so naive that way
So unafraid
No other love
In all of the world
In all of my life
There was no other love
I don't know where it went
Turned into yesterday
Time comes and goes like music in a play
Looking back I still don't know
Why we ever had to end
And it's so hard letting go
Of what we had then
No other love
In all of the world
In all of my life There was no other love
The song "No Other Love" by Barry Manilow is a beautiful tribute to a past relationship that held an unparalleled significance in the singer's life. The opening lines set the mood with a description of a night of passion and intimacy that the singer shared with his lover. The absence of violins and soft guitars in the background is intriguing, as if to suggest that their love didn't require any extraneous embellishments. The next verse takes us to the cold winter months, where there was no fireside to warm them up, but the love they shared sustained them through it all.
The recurring chorus reaffirms the fact that this love was the only one of its kind in the world, and the singer was unable to find a love like that ever again. The culmination of the song is when the singer reflects on the present and how time has flown, but the memories of that intense passion still linger. There's a sense of regret in the lines "Looking back I still don't know, why we ever had to end, and it's so hard letting go, of what we had then." Overall, the song is a powerful reminder of how fleeting but beautiful relationships can be, and it's especially poignant for people who have experienced that "once in a lifetime" type of love.
Line by Line Meaning
There were no violins
The moment was not characterized by a romantic atmosphere created by violins or soft guitars.
There were no soft guitars
The moment was not characterized by a romantic atmosphere created by violins or soft guitars.
Hot summer love under the city stars
The lovers enjoyed the warmth of their love during the summer under the stars of the city.
I was Mr. Dynamite
The artist claims to have been a dynamic and exciting partner in the relationship.
And you were my only girl
The singer acknowledges his partner as the only one in his heart and eyes.
We held each other through the night
The lovers embraced and held each other tightly throughout the night.
Caught in a whirl
The intensity of their feelings had them feeling swept up and lost in the moment.
No other love
There is no other love comparable to what the singer and his partner felt for each other.
In all of the world
None of love in the whole world can parallel their feelings for each other.
In all of my life
The artist acknowledges that even in his life, no other love has been comparable.
There was no fireside
The warmth of a cozy fireside was absent from their relationship.
No Beaujolais for two
The wine of Beaujolais was never shared between the two of them.
Winter was cold but we had me and you
Despite the coldness of winter, the warmth and comfort of their love kept them happy.
All the words we used to say
The affectionate words exchanged between them are recalled in memory.
All the crazy plans we made
In the moment of young love, the partners had made and entertained several exciting and unrealistic plans.
We were so naive that way
The singer admits their naivety in planning and hoping for the future together.
So unafraid
Despite the uncertainties, the two of them fearlessly embraced their love for each other.
I don't know where it went
The singer expresses confusion on what led to the end of their relationship.
Turned into yesterday
The happy moments are referred to as something of the past, now lost and unattainable.
Time comes and goes like music in a play
Time flies like a musical score in a play.
Looking back I still don't know
The singer looks back at the memories and still can’t understand how or when everything went wrong.
Why we ever had to end
The artist wonders why their relationship had to come to an end, despite their strong love for each other.
And it's so hard letting go
It’s painful and difficult for the singer to let go of their past love.
Of what we had then
The singer still holds on to the memories and cherishes what they had in the past.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: O. HAMMERSTEIN II, R. RODGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind