: Manilow’s version omitted two lines from the fourth verse: "Riding on a country bus / No one even noticed us" . The Myth of the Dog
: It became Barry Manilow's first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1975.
: The original by Scott English was more "rock and roll" and uptempo. Manilow and producer Ron Dante initially struggled with it until Manilow sat at the piano and slowed it down, finding the "love song hiding" within the arrangement. : Manilow’s version omitted two lines from the
: The song found a new generation of fans in 2003 when the Irish boyband Westlife released their version, reaching #1 in the UK.
: Scott English initially "hated" the changes Manilow made, but he grew to love the version because the massive royalties "bought him houses". Manilow and producer Ron Dante initially struggled with
Watch these videos to hear the contrast between the original rock-inspired version and the famous ballad version:
Before it became Barry Manilow’s career-launching ballad, "" began its life as a faster-paced rock-pop track titled " Brandy ," written and recorded by American musician Scott English in 1971 . While English’s version was a top 20 hit in the UK, it was Manilow’s reimagining that turned it into a global classic. The Evolution from "Brandy" to "Mandy" Watch these videos to hear the contrast between
: Scott English admitted he fabricated the dog story to get a pestering reporter off the phone.