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
the way we were
Barry Manilow Lyrics
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Light the corners of my mind
Misty water-colored memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures
Of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
Oh, can it be that it was all so simple then?
Or has time re-written every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, would we? Could we?
Mem'ries
Maybe beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter
We will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
The way we were
The way we were
Barry Manilow's song The Way We Were is a poignant and reflective tune that brings back memories of the past. The opening verse speaks of how memories light the corners of the mind, stating that memories are not easy to forget. Misty water-colored memories are evocative of emotions that bring both happiness and sadness to the individual. The memories are of the way we were.
The second verse talks about the pictures of smiles we left behind. The smiles represent the times when we were happy and content with our loved ones. The way we were is a nod to the simpler times in life when everything was more innocent and pure. The lyrics ask whether it was all so simple then or whether time has rewritten every line. These lines emphasize that the memories we have today may be different from what actually happened then, as they have been skewed by time and life experiences.
In the chorus, the lyrics ask if we had the chance to do it all again, would we? Could we? This is an existential question, wondering whether we could have lived our lives differently if we had the opportunity to go back in time. The memories we have of the way we were may evoke joy and laughter or sadness and pain, and some of these memories may be too painful to remember as they remind us of times when we experienced great loss.
In conclusion, The Way We Were is a touching, nostalgic song that brings to mind memories of the past. It is a reflection of how one can look back on life with both nostalgia and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Mem'ries
The memories of the past
Light the corners of my mind
The memories still linger at the back of the mind, like a faint light in the corner
Misty water-colored memories
The memories are vague, like they are seen through watercolors
Of the way we were
The memories are about the way things used to be
Scattered pictures
The memories are like pictures, not in a coherent order
Of the smiles we left behind
The memories of the smiles we had in the past and have left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
Remembrance of the mutual smiles exchanged by them
For the way we were
Those smiles and happy times were because of the way things were back then
Oh, can it be that it was all so simple then?
Wondering if it was easy to be happy back then, without any complications
Or has time re-written every line?
Is it possible that time has changed the picture entirely?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Thinking about if there was another opportunity to go back in time and relive those moments
Tell me, would we? Could we?
Uncertainty about whether it would be possible to relive those moments or make things differently
Mem'ries
Recollection of the past memories
Maybe beautiful and yet
Memories can be both beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
Certain memories can be too painful to recall
We simply choose to forget
We consciously choose to overlook such memories in order to not feel the pain again
So it's the laughter
What's worth remembering is the laughter and joy they shared
We will remember
We will hold on to the good times and not let go
Whenever we remember
Whenever the memories resurface
The way we were
Remembering the way things used to be
The way we were
Recalling how things used to be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind