Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | George Gershwin | 20110315 | 20111016 (R2) | Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of ten famous composers of the Great American Songbook. He explores their genius through rare recordings and de-constructs their songs at his piano. Recorded at Barry's home in America, the series gives a songwriter's insight into the art and craft of songwriting. It covers over sixty years of composition examining the work of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerry Herman and Kander and Ebb. Among the rare recordings are songs by Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, and a never before heard Barry Manilow recording, made when he was three years old. George Gershwin is the first composer in the spotlight, who left school in 1913 to pursue a career as a song plugger and composer in New York's Tin Pan Alley. His first hit song was Swanee, which was recorded by Al Jolson in 1920. He went on to create an impressive body of work, including celebrated musicals like Funny Face; jazz standards and popular songs like They Can't Take That Away from Me [which was posthumously nominated for an Oscar]; and the ambitious opera Porgy and Bess. Barry Manilow looks at the life and work of American composer George Gershwin. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 02 | Irving Berlin | 20110322 | 20111023 (R2) | Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of ten famous composers of the Great American Songbook. He explores their genius through rare recordings and de-constructs their songs at his piano. Recorded at Barry's home in America, the series gives a songwriter's insight into the art and craft of songwriting. It covers over sixty years of composition examining the work of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerry Herman and Kander and Ebb. Among the rare recordings are songs by Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, and a never before heard Barry Manilow recording, made when he was three years old. This week, he looks at Irving Berlin, a self-taught pianist and composer who published more than fifteen hundred songs. He began writing music for Tin Pan Alley and Broadway in the 1920s and also worked on musical films starring Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and other Hollywood stars, penning classic hits like White Christmas. Berlin was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 10 January 1977, in recognition of his long career and contribution to the popular culture of the United States. Barry Manilow looks at the life and work of American composer Irving Berlin. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 03 | Harold Arlen | 20110329 | 20111030 (R2) | Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of ten famous composers of the Great American Songbook. He explores their genius through rare recordings and de-constructs their songs at his piano. Recorded at Barry's home in America, the series gives a songwriter's insight into the art and craft of songwriting. It covers over sixty years of composition examining the work of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Frank Loesser, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerry Herman and Kander and Ebb. Among the rare recordings are songs by Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, and a never before heard Barry Manilow recording, made when he was three years old. This week he celebrates Harold Arlen, composer of the Oscar-winning song Over The Rainbow, who was born Hyman Arluck in Buffalo, New York, back in 1905. Harold sang in the synagogue where his father was cantor, from the age of seven, and formed his first group (the Snappy Trio) whilst still in his teens. After moving to New York City in 1925, Arlen achieved fame by writing songs for various reviews and for the shows at Harlem's Cotton Club. Many of his songs, including Stormy Weather, became jazz standards whilst songs like That Old Black Magic also had their roots in jazz. During a long, and successful career, Harold wrote over 400 songs and collaborated with the likes of Ted Koehler, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin and Yip Harburg. Barry Manilow celebrates Harold Arlen, who composed Over the Rainbow. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 04 | Frank Loesser | 20110405 | 20111106 (R2) | Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of ten famous American composers, playing rare recordings and de-constructing their songs at his piano. Recorded at Barry's home in America, the series gives a songwriter's insight into the art and craft of songwriting, covering over 60 years of composition. This week he celebrates Frank Loesser, the Pulitzer, Tony and Academy award-winning lyricist and songwriter. Born in New York in 1910, Loesser was briefly a newspaper reporter before his first lyrics (In Love with the Memory of You) were published in 1931. He moved to Hollywood where he wrote songs for dozens of films and whilst serving in World War II, he began writing music in addition to words. His compositions included Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition, Heart and Soul [aka Chopsticks - the music was written by Hoagy Carmichael] and he picked up an Oscar in 1949 for Baby, It's Cold Outside. His major film score was Hans Christian Andersen (1952), which provided Danny Kaye with several memorable songs, while his stage successes included Guys and Dolls (1953) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1963) which is currently playing on Broadway, with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe. Frank died of lung cancer in 1969 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the following year. Barry Manilow turns the spotlight on American lyricist and songwriter Frank Loesser. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 05 | Leonard Bernstein | 20110412 | 20111113 (R2) | Barry Manilow turns his attention to the composer Leonard Bernstein, who was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on 25 August 1918. Bernstein is particularly unusual - whereas Gershwin was a popular composer who aspired to write classical music - Bernstein was a classical musician who wrote popular music. Through musical successes such as On The Town, Candide and West Side Story he brought a complexity of arranging styles and musicianship that was unrivalled amongst Broadway composers. Barry shows how Bernstein's ability to orchestrate his own melodies had such a great impact on musical theatre and defined Bernstein as a composer. As he deconstructs West Side Story's Officer Krupke, Barry illustrates Bernstein's expert use of dissonant chords and rhythm structures. Barry Manilow turns his attention to the composer Leonard Bernstein. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 06 | Jule Styne | 20110419 | 20111120 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues to look at the lives and works of his favourite composers, de-constructing their songs at his piano. This week he celebrates Jule Styne, the vocal coach turned Broadway and Hollywood composer, who was born in England in 1905. During a successful career, which included collaborations with Frank Loesser (previously featured in this series), Sammy Cahn (Time After Time), Leo Robin (Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend) and Stephen Sondheim (Gypsy), Styne won two Grammy awards, a Tony award, an Oscar and was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. This programme includes a never-before-heard Barry Manilow recording, made when he was just three years old. Barry's grandfather recognised that his young grandson had talent and at the weekend they would take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, into Manhattan, where there was a recording booth. You put in a quarter and made a recoding and, remarkably, the ones Barry made in this way have survived! We hear evidence of Barry's precocious talent in a tune written by Jule Styne, Papa Won't You Dance with Me. Barry Manilow celebrates the English-born composer Jule Styne. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 07 | Rodgers And Hart | 20110426 | 20111127 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues to look at the lives and works of his favourite composers, de-constructing their songs at his piano. This week he celebrates a songwriting duo - Rodgers and Hart. Richard Rodgers wrote with Larry Hart for twenty years in one of the most successful of songwriting partnerships. He then went on to write with Oscar Hammerstein for another twenty years - a feat which no other composer has equalled. Tonight we begin a two part exploration of the work of Richard Rodgers, beginning with his relationship with Lorenz Hart. The son of German immigrants, lyricist Lorenz Hart began his theatrical career by translating German plays, while the New York-born Richard Rodgers studied composition at the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School), before their partnership began in 1919. After five years of failure Rodgers was about to give up and become a clothing salesman, when the two had a breakthrough hit - Manhattan. From that point on Rodgers and Hart created an almost unbroken stream of hits, including the shows On Your Toes, A Connecticut Yankee and Pal Joey. Among the pair's songs: My Romance; The Lady Is a Tramp; and a song that started life as The Prayer, followed by The Bad in Every Man, before becoming a smash hit as - Blue Moon. Barry Manilow celebrates the songwriting duo Rodgers and Hart. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 08 | Rodgers And Hammerstein | 20110503 | Barry Manilow looks at the second episode in Richard Rodger's career, his songwriting partnership with the lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The grandson of theatre impresario Oscar Hammerstein, Oscar II was writing books and lyrics for Broadway musicals by the early 1920s. Among his early collaborators were Vincent Youmans, Rudolph Friml and Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote Showboat in 1927), before he formed his famous partnership with Richard in 1943. During their 16-year collaboration, Rodgers and Hammerstein produced the enduring classics Oklahoma! Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music and the Pulitzer Prize-winning South Pacific. After Hammerstein's death in 1960, Rodgers wrote his own lyrics to No Strings and collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on Do I Hear a Waltz. His last show was 1970's Two by Two. Barry Manilow celebrates the songwriting partnership of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 01 | 08 | Rodgers And Hammerstein | 20110503 | 20111204 (R2) | Barry Manilow looks at the second episode in Richard Rodger's career, his songwriting partnership with the lyricist and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The grandson of theatre impresario Oscar Hammerstein, Oscar II was writing books and lyrics for Broadway musicals by the early 1920s. Among his early collaborators were Vincent Youmans, Rudolph Friml and Jerome Kern (with whom he wrote Showboat in 1927), before he formed his famous partnership with Richard in 1943. During their 16-year collaboration, Rodgers and Hammerstein produced the enduring classics Oklahoma! Carousel, The King and I, The Sound of Music and the Pulitzer Prize-winning South Pacific. After Hammerstein's death in 1960, Rodgers wrote his own lyrics to No Strings and collaborated with Stephen Sondheim on Do I Hear a Waltz. His last show was 1970's Two by Two. Barry Manilow celebrates the songwriting partnership of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 09 | Jerry Herman | 20110510 | Barry Manilow continues his songwriter's insight into the Great American Songbook. This week he celebrates the composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. Gerald Herman was born in New York in 1931 and raised in Jersey. Self-taught as a musician, he studied drama at the University of Miami, where he began writing for revue. His first big success on Broadway came with 1961's Milk and Honey, which picked up Grammy and Tony nominations, but it was Hello, Dolly! that really launched him into the big time. Opening in 1964, Hello, Dolly! ran for ran for 2,844 performances and became Broadway's longest-running musical. It won ten Tony awards, including Best Composer and Lyricist, while the 1969 film adaptation picked up three Oscars. Herman's later works include Mame, Mack and Mabel, and La Cage Aux Folles, while subsequent accolades include the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Awards, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Tony Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, and a 2010 Kennedy Center Honor. Barry Manilow celebrates celebrates the composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 01 | 09 | Jerry Herman | 20110510 | 20111211 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues his songwriter's insight into the Great American Songbook. This week he celebrates the composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. Gerald Herman was born in New York in 1931 and raised in Jersey. Self-taught as a musician, he studied drama at the University of Miami, where he began writing for revue. His first big success on Broadway came with 1961's Milk and Honey, which picked up Grammy and Tony nominations, but it was Hello, Dolly! that really launched him into the big time. Opening in 1964, Hello, Dolly! ran for ran for 2,844 performances and became Broadway's longest-running musical. It won ten Tony awards, including Best Composer and Lyricist, while the 1969 film adaptation picked up three Oscars. Herman's later works include Mame, Mack and Mabel, and La Cage Aux Folles, while subsequent accolades include the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein Awards, induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Tony Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award, and a 2010 Kennedy Center Honor. Barry Manilow celebrates celebrates the composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 01 | 10 | Kander And Ebb | 20110517 | Barry Manilow concludes this series with a look at composer John Kander and lyricist and librettist Fred Ebb, whose long and successful songwriting partnership ended with the latter's death in 2004. They've been rewarded with Tonys on Broadway, Oscars in films, and Emmys on television, and as Kennedy Center honourees they were praised for tackling 'serious, challenging subjects - Nazism, abortion, murder, capital punishment, prison torture, greed, corruption - with an originality and fearlessness rarely seen in popular entertainment'. Kander and Ebb were behind some of the great creations of the musical stage including Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as New York, New York, a song immortalized by Frank Sinatra. As a neighbour of Fred Ebb's in New York, Barry Manilow was the first to hear the famous opening vamp of this tune. He heard it over and over again, as the pair searched for the lyric, while brushing his teeth in the bathroom! Barry Manilow concludes the series with a look at Kander and Ebb. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 01 | 10 | Kander And Ebb | 20110517 | 20111218 (R2) | Barry Manilow concludes this series with a look at composer John Kander and lyricist and librettist Fred Ebb, whose long and successful songwriting partnership ended with the latter's death in 2004. They've been rewarded with Tonys on Broadway, Oscars in films, and Emmys on television, and as Kennedy Center honourees they were praised for tackling 'serious, challenging subjects - Nazism, abortion, murder, capital punishment, prison torture, greed, corruption - with an originality and fearlessness rarely seen in popular entertainment'. Kander and Ebb were behind some of the great creations of the musical stage including Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, as well as New York, New York, a song immortalized by Frank Sinatra. As a neighbour of Fred Ebb's in New York, Barry Manilow was the first to hear the famous opening vamp of this tune. He heard it over and over again, as the pair searched for the lyric, while brushing his teeth in the bathroom! Barry Manilow concludes the series with a look at Kander and Ebb. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 01 | Jerome Kern | 20130103 | International superstar Barry Manilow returns with a second series celebrating the lives and work of the great songwriters. Over ten programmes, Barry covers some 70 years of song writing, beginning with the father of the popular song, Jerome Kern (the man who took us from three quarter time to four beats in the bar). Barry traces the development of the songwriter's art through legends like Cole Porter, great partnerships like Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and extraordinary songsmiths like Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry illustrates the development of the popular song, from the traditional partnership of lyric and melody writing, through to studio-derived tracking designed to sell on the radio and jukebox. He comments on the influence of British writers like Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse; looks at the transition of style from musical theatre to pop song, via Bacharach and David; and finishes with the dominance of the Motown sound and writers Holland Dozier Holland. This is a fascinating insider's look at the songwriters art, told through the lives and work of some of its greatest exponents. Barry Manilow celebrates the work of the great songwriters, beginning with Jerome Kern. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 01 | Jerome Kern | 20130103 | 20140708 (R2) | International superstar Barry Manilow returns with a second series celebrating the lives and work of the great songwriters. Over ten programmes, Barry covers some 70 years of song writing, beginning with the father of the popular song, Jerome Kern (the man who took us from three quarter time to four beats in the bar). Barry traces the development of the songwriter's art through legends like Cole Porter, great partnerships like Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and extraordinary songsmiths like Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry illustrates the development of the popular song, from the traditional partnership of lyric and melody writing, through to studio-derived tracking designed to sell on the radio and jukebox. He comments on the influence of British writers like Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse; looks at the transition of style from musical theatre to pop song, via Bacharach and David; and finishes with the dominance of the Motown sound and writers Holland Dozier Holland. This is a fascinating insider's look at the songwriters art, told through the lives and work of some of its greatest exponents. Barry Manilow celebrates the work of the great songwriters, beginning with Jerome Kern. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 02 | Cole Porter | 20130110 | 20140715 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues his second series celebrating the lives and work of great songwriters. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry looks at the work of another giant of the Great American Songbook. He was a wealthy, well-travelled playboy, who triumphed over tragedy and wrote sophisticated, witty, wonderful music and lyrics - Cole Porter. Barry Manilow celebrates Cole Porter, the wealthy playboy who wrote wonderful music. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 03 | Harry Warren | 20130117 | Barry Manilow continues his second series celebrating the lives and work of great songwriters. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry looks at the life and work of a man who wrote over 800 songs, which appeared in 300 films. He was Oscar-nominated eleven times; and had 42 top ten hits and 21 number ones - yet few know his name - Harry Warren. Barry Manilow celebrates the prolific yet little-known American composer Harry Warren. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 03 | Harry Warren | 20130117 | 20140722 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues his second series celebrating the lives and work of great songwriters. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry looks at the life and work of a man who wrote over 800 songs, which appeared in 300 films. He was Oscar-nominated eleven times; and had 42 top ten hits and 21 number ones - yet few know his name - Harry Warren. Barry Manilow celebrates the prolific yet little-known American composer Harry Warren. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 04 | Howard Dietz And Arthur Schwartz | 20130124 | Barry Manilow continues his second series celebrating the lives and work of great songwriters. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry looks at the life and work of a man who wrote over 800 songs, which appeared in 300 films. This week's show celebrates two extraordinary songwriters, one amazing team. Two business men who went on to write some of the greatest songs in the American Songbook, who they did it without giving up their day jobs as an attorney and publicist - Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Barry Manilow celebrates two extraordinary songwriters - Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 04 | Howard Dietz And Arthur Schwartz | 20130124 | 20140729 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues his second series celebrating the lives and work of great songwriters. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry looks at the life and work of a man who wrote over 800 songs, which appeared in 300 films. This week's show celebrates two extraordinary songwriters, one amazing team. Two business men who went on to write some of the greatest songs in the American Songbook, who they did it without giving up their day jobs as an attorney and publicist - Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Barry Manilow celebrates two extraordinary songwriters - Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 05 | Johnny Mercer | 20130131 | 20140805 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues to celebrate the lives and work of great songwriters. This week he looks at the life and work of a musical colossus. A man who wrote an unimaginable number of hit songs over a 40 year period with numerous composers and did it without any formal musical training - Johnny Mercer. The music includes That Old Black Magic, I Remember You, Goody Goody, Too Marvellous For Words, Skylark and Moon River. Barry Manilow celebrates the musical colossus Johnny Mercer, writer of Moon River. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. Barry Manilow continues to celebrate the lives and work of great songwriters. This week he looks at the life and work of a musical colossus. A man who wrote an unimaginable number of hit songs over a 40 year period with numerous composers and did it without any formal musical training - Johnny Mercer. The music includes That Old Black Magic, I Remember You, Goody Goody, Too Marvellous For Words, Skylark and Moon River. Barry Manilow celebrates the musical colossus Johnny Mercer, writer of Moon River. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 06 | Alan Jay Lerner And Frederick Loewe | 20130207 | Barry Manilow continues his celebration of songwriting greats. This week it's the turn of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, two legendary writers of musical theatre whose work includes Camelot, Brigadoon and My Fair Lady. The featured music includes With A Little Bit of Luck, I Could Have Danced All Night, Get Me To the Church on Time, The Rain in Spain, Almost Like Being In Love and How To Handle A Woman. Barry Manilow celebrates two great writers of musical theatre whose work includes Camelot. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 06 | Alan Jay Lerner And Frederick Loewe | 20130207 | 20140812 (R2) | Barry Manilow continues his celebration of songwriting greats. This week it's the turn of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, two legendary writers of musical theatre whose work includes Camelot, Brigadoon and My Fair Lady. The featured music includes With A Little Bit of Luck, I Could Have Danced All Night, Get Me To the Church on Time, The Rain in Spain, Almost Like Being In Love and How To Handle A Woman. Barry Manilow celebrates two great writers of musical theatre whose work includes Camelot. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 07 | Sammy Cahn | 20130214 | International superstar Barry Manilow returns with a second series celebrating the lives and work of the great songwriters. Over ten programmes, Barry covers some 70 years of song writing, beginning with the father of the popular song, Jerome Kern (the man who took us from three quarter time to four beats in the bar). Barry traces the development of the songwriter's art through legends like Cole Porter, great partnerships like Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and extraordinary songsmiths like Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry illustrates the development of the popular song, from the traditional partnership of lyric and melody writing, through to studio-derived tracking designed to sell on the radio and jukebox. He comments on the influence of British writers like Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse; looks at the transition of style from musical theatre to pop song, via Bacharach and David; and finishes with the dominance of the Motown sound and writers Holland Dozier Holland. This is a fascinating insider's look at the songwriters art, told through the lives and work of some of its greatest exponents. Barry Manilow celebrates the man with 23 Oscar nominations, Sammy Cahn. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 07 | Sammy Cahn | 20130214 | 20140819 (R2) | International superstar Barry Manilow returns with a second series celebrating the lives and work of the great songwriters. Over ten programmes, Barry covers some 70 years of song writing, beginning with the father of the popular song, Jerome Kern (the man who took us from three quarter time to four beats in the bar). Barry traces the development of the songwriter's art through legends like Cole Porter, great partnerships like Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and extraordinary songsmiths like Johnny Mercer and Sammy Cahn. Sitting at the piano in his Palm Spring home, Barry illustrates the development of the popular song, from the traditional partnership of lyric and melody writing, through to studio-derived tracking designed to sell on the radio and jukebox. He comments on the influence of British writers like Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse; looks at the transition of style from musical theatre to pop song, via Bacharach and David; and finishes with the dominance of the Motown sound and writers Holland Dozier Holland. This is a fascinating insider's look at the songwriters art, told through the lives and work of some of its greatest exponents. Barry Manilow celebrates the man with 23 Oscar nominations, Sammy Cahn. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 08 | Anthony Newley And Leslie Bricusse | 20130221 | Two of the greatest British songwriters are the subject of Barry's series 'They Write the Songs' this week. Two men from opposite sides of the tracks, one a working class boy; the other a university graduate who came together to write some revolutionary musical theatre, hit songs and film soundtracks - Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Barry Manilow looks at the work of British songwriters Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 08 | Anthony Newley And Leslie Bricusse | 20130221 | 20140826 (R2) | Two of the greatest British songwriters are the subject of Barry's series 'They Write the Songs' this week. Two men from opposite sides of the tracks, one a working class boy; the other a university graduate who came together to write some revolutionary musical theatre, hit songs and film soundtracks - Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. Barry Manilow looks at the work of British songwriters Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 09 | Burt Bacharach And Hal David | 20130228 | Barry Manilow marks the transition from the writers of the classic Great American Songbook to those of a new post Beatles era with this week's song writing partnership. New, complex musical arrangements with changing rhythms and crafted lyrics to match are the hallmarks of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Music includes Anyone Who Had A Heart, Broken Hearted Melody, Magic Moments, Make It Easy on Yourself, Close To You, Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head, The Look of Love, What the World Needs Now .. Barry Manilow looks at the work of the great songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 09 | Burt Bacharach And Hal David | 20130228 | 20140902 (R2) | Barry Manilow marks the transition from the writers of the classic Great American Songbook to those of a new post Beatles era with this week's song writing partnership. New, complex musical arrangements with changing rhythms and crafted lyrics to match are the hallmarks of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Music includes Anyone Who Had A Heart, Broken Hearted Melody, Magic Moments, Make It Easy on Yourself, Close To You, Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head, The Look of Love, What the World Needs Now .. Barry Manilow looks at the work of the great songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 02 | 10 | Holland-dozier-holland | 20130307 | The writing team who formed the Motown sound, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland are considered to be one of the greatest in pop music. Not only did they produce countless hit records for the likes of The Supremes and The Marvelettes, but their work also marks the emergence of 'the track' as being the dominant influence in songwriting and record production - even over lyric or melody writing. In this, the last of the series, Barry Manilow celebrates their contribution and reflects on the development of songwriting over eighty years ... Barry Manilow looks at the Motown writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 02 | 10 | Holland-dozier-holland | 20130307 | 20140909 (R2) | The writing team who formed the Motown sound, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland are considered to be one of the greatest in pop music. Not only did they produce countless hit records for the likes of The Supremes and The Marvelettes, but their work also marks the emergence of 'the track' as being the dominant influence in songwriting and record production - even over lyric or melody writing. In this, the last of the series, Barry Manilow celebrates their contribution and reflects on the development of songwriting over eighty years ... Barry Manilow looks at the Motown writing team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |
| 03 | 20180515 | This week features Rodgers and Hart's 'Babes in Arms' - a show that features five songs that became standards, including 'Where or When' and 'My Funny Valentine' but which has never been fully re-vived; 'Ballroom' which was written by Billy Goldenberg and the great lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman and nominated for eight Tony Awards; 'All American' which featured the first book Mel Brooks ever wrote for a musical and starred Ray Bolger (the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz); and 'Do Re Mi' written by the team who brought you 'Singing in the Rain' Betty Comden and Adolph Green and Jule Styne, who wrote the score to 'Gypsy' and 'Funny Girl' ... Don't you want to hear their lost songs?? Barry Manilow returns with They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180515 | 20190706 (R2) | This week features Rodgers and Hart's 'Babes in Arms' - a show that features five songs that became standards, including 'Where or When' and 'My Funny Valentine' but which has never been fully re-vived; 'Ballroom' which was written by Billy Goldenberg and the great lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman and nominated for eight Tony Awards; 'All American' which featured the first book Mel Brooks ever wrote for a musical and starred Ray Bolger (the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz); and 'Do Re Mi' written by the team who brought you 'Singing in the Rain' Betty Comden and Adolph Green and Jule Styne, who wrote the score to 'Gypsy' and 'Funny Girl' ... Don't you want to hear their lost songs?? Barry Manilow returns with They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180522 | This week Barry introduces three shows, 'The Happy Time', 'House of Flowers' and 'Coco'. All of them featured the biggest stars of their day including Robert Goulet, Dianne Carroll, Pearl Bailey and believe it or not - Katherine Hepburn. The shows were written by some of the best in the business too, John Kander and Fred Ebb (The Happy Time); Alan Jay Lerner and Andre Previn (Coco) and Harold Arlen - the genius who wrote 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and Truman Capote. Yep. Truman Capote, who famously the wrote 'In Cold Blood' (House of Flowers) ... How could all of these shows be forgotten? Join Barry to hear why they should not! Barry Manilow returns with episode two of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180522 | 20190713 (R2) | This week Barry introduces three shows, 'The Happy Time', 'House of Flowers' and 'Coco'. All of them featured the biggest stars of their day including Robert Goulet, Dianne Carroll, Pearl Bailey and believe it or not - Katherine Hepburn. The shows were written by some of the best in the business too, John Kander and Fred Ebb (The Happy Time); Alan Jay Lerner and Andre Previn (Coco) and Harold Arlen - the genius who wrote 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and Truman Capote. Yep. Truman Capote, who famously the wrote 'In Cold Blood' (House of Flowers) ... How could all of these shows be forgotten? Join Barry to hear why they should not! Barry Manilow returns with episode two of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180529 | This week Barry features one of his favourite shows of all time 'The Grass Harp', which starred the great Barbara Cook but lasted for just seven performances; 'Hot Chocolates' a musical that starred Louis Armstrong; and Jerry Herman's first breakthrough show that is rarely even talked about today, in spite of the fact that it led to 'Hello Dolly' - 'Milk and Honey'. Barry Manilow returns with episode three of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180529 | 20190720 (R2) | This week Barry features one of his favourite shows of all time 'The Grass Harp', which starred the great Barbara Cook but lasted for just seven performances; 'Hot Chocolates' a musical that starred Louis Armstrong; and Jerry Herman's first breakthrough show that is rarely even talked about today, in spite of the fact that it led to 'Hello Dolly' - 'Milk and Honey'. Barry Manilow returns with episode three of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180605 | A star studded edition featuring Liza Minnelli's first partnership with Kander and Ebb when she was just 19, in a show called 'Flora the Red Menace'; Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, two giants of the cabaret scene who appeared in a show called 'Golden Rainbow', from which Sammy Davis Jnr memorably recorded 'I've Gotta Be Me'; Jimmy Durante who starred in Cole Porter's long forgotten show The New Yorkers in spite of the fact that it contained one of the greatest standards of all time 'Love For Sale'; and a show called 'Simple Simon' that featured the woman who introduced the all time hit 'Ten cents A Dance' - Ruth Etting. Barry Manilow returns with episode four of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180605 | 20190727 (R2) | A star studded edition featuring Liza Minnelli's first partnership with Kander and Ebb when she was just 19, in a show called 'Flora the Red Menace'; Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, two giants of the cabaret scene who appeared in a show called 'Golden Rainbow', from which Sammy Davis Jnr memorably recorded 'I've Gotta Be Me'; Jimmy Durante who starred in Cole Porter's long forgotten show The New Yorkers in spite of the fact that it contained one of the greatest standards of all time 'Love For Sale'; and a show called 'Simple Simon' that featured the woman who introduced the all time hit 'Ten cents A Dance' - Ruth Etting. Barry Manilow returns with episode four of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180612 | This week's forgotten shows are rich in plots and tunes! Barry brings us a rainmaker faker in '110 Degrees in the Shade'; a gangster who just wants to sing and dance in 'Legs Diamond', the gold prospecting West in 'Paint Your Wagon' and a sophisticated comedy of manners in 'The Gay Divorce'. Recovered songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones and Cole Porter. Barry Manilow returns with episode five of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180612 | 20190803 (R2) | This week's forgotten shows are rich in plots and tunes! Barry brings us a rainmaker faker in '110 Degrees in the Shade'; a gangster who just wants to sing and dance in 'Legs Diamond', the gold prospecting West in 'Paint Your Wagon' and a sophisticated comedy of manners in 'The Gay Divorce'. Recovered songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones and Cole Porter. Barry Manilow returns with episode five of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180619 | This week's edition features 'the world's greatest entertainer' Al Jolson, but even his pulling power couldn't save a show called 'Sinbad' from disappearing into history; Anthony Quinn, famous for the film 'Zorba', was not quite so successful at keeping the musical version on Broadway where it played for just 11 weeks ... And 'Lost in the Stars' which garnered more fantastic reviews than 'Hamilton', including this from the New York Herald Tribune, 'A work of truth, beauty and immense artistry, a triumphant piece of theatre'. Long forgotten, though the songs are spectacular ... Barry Manilow returns with episode six of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180619 | 20190810 (R2) | This week's edition features 'the world's greatest entertainer' Al Jolson, but even his pulling power couldn't save a show called 'Sinbad' from disappearing into history; Anthony Quinn, famous for the film 'Zorba', was not quite so successful at keeping the musical version on Broadway where it played for just 11 weeks ... And 'Lost in the Stars' which garnered more fantastic reviews than 'Hamilton', including this from the New York Herald Tribune, 'A work of truth, beauty and immense artistry, a triumphant piece of theatre'. Long forgotten, though the songs are spectacular ... Barry Manilow returns with episode six of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180626 | This week Barry Manilow looks at four shows, all of them written by the best in the business, but all now sadly forgotten. Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim wrote 'Do I Hear A Waltz'; Cole Porter wrote 'Leave It To Me' ; Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields wrote 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' and Michael Leonard and Herbert Martin wrote 'The Yearling'. The Yearling' played for just three performances, but produced the standard 'Why Did I Choose You'. Between them songwriters Dorothy Fields and Arthur Schwartz were responsible for 'That's Entertainment',' The Way You Look Tonight', 'A Fine Romance' and 'You and the Night and the Music' and yet, 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' failed to ignite the public's imagination. In spite of some wonderful songs. Cole Porter's 'Leave It To Me' contained an all time classic, 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' but the show it came from is hardly remembered; and Stephen Sondheim and Richard Rodgers 'Do I Hear A Waltz', was nominated for three Tony Awards, and not only contains an outstanding title number, but also one of the most witty and relevant songs about the travel industry ever written, 'What Do We Do ? We Fly!' Anyone who's ever stepped inside an airport will identify with this one ! Barry Manilow returns with episode seven of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180626 | 20190817 (R2) | This week Barry Manilow looks at four shows, all of them written by the best in the business, but all now sadly forgotten. Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim wrote 'Do I Hear A Waltz'; Cole Porter wrote 'Leave It To Me' ; Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields wrote 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' and Michael Leonard and Herbert Martin wrote 'The Yearling'. The Yearling' played for just three performances, but produced the standard 'Why Did I Choose You'. Between them songwriters Dorothy Fields and Arthur Schwartz were responsible for 'That's Entertainment',' The Way You Look Tonight', 'A Fine Romance' and 'You and the Night and the Music' and yet, 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' failed to ignite the public's imagination. In spite of some wonderful songs. Cole Porter's 'Leave It To Me' contained an all time classic, 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' but the show it came from is hardly remembered; and Stephen Sondheim and Richard Rodgers 'Do I Hear A Waltz', was nominated for three Tony Awards, and not only contains an outstanding title number, but also one of the most witty and relevant songs about the travel industry ever written, 'What Do We Do ? We Fly!' Anyone who's ever stepped inside an airport will identify with this one ! Barry Manilow returns with episode seven of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180703 | Tonight, Barry features 'High Spirits', the musical version of Noel Coward's 'Blythe Spirit', which was directed by The Master himself; 'Higher and Higher' by Rodgers and Hart which created the all time standard, 'It Never Entered My Mind', but which only lasted for eighty four performances; and 'Two By Two' a musical that starred Danny Kaye as Noah. This show was all set to become a major hit, until disaster struck. To find out what happened and why the memory of the show can still turn producers, directors, writers and performers pale, tune in to this evening's episode of 'They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition!'. Barry Manilow returns with episode eight of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180703 | 20190824 (R2) | Tonight, Barry features 'High Spirits', the musical version of Noel Coward's 'Blythe Spirit', which was directed by The Master himself; 'Higher and Higher' by Rodgers and Hart which created the all time standard, 'It Never Entered My Mind', but which only lasted for eighty four performances; and 'Two By Two' a musical that starred Danny Kaye as Noah. This show was all set to become a major hit, until disaster struck. To find out what happened and why the memory of the show can still turn producers, directors, writers and performers pale, tune in to this evening's episode of 'They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition!'. Barry Manilow returns with episode eight of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180710 | This week's episode features two shows where both music and lyrics are written by the same person and one where they are not! Barry introduces 'Out of This World' by Cole Porter; 'No Strings' by Richard Rodgers and a show written by what should have been the award winning team of Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne, called 'Hallelujah Baby!'. Barry Manilow returns with episode nine of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180710 | 20190831 (R2) | This week's episode features two shows where both music and lyrics are written by the same person and one where they are not! Barry introduces 'Out of This World' by Cole Porter; 'No Strings' by Richard Rodgers and a show written by what should have been the award winning team of Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Jule Styne, called 'Hallelujah Baby!'. Barry Manilow returns with episode nine of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 20180717 | In this, the last episode of his ten part series 'They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition!', Barry Manilow looks at three more extraordinary musicals. 'Mack and Mabel', 'Lady Be Good' and 'Anyone Can Whistle'. Written by Jerry Herman, the Gershwins and Stephen Sondheim respectively, each show produced some outstanding songs including 'I Won't Send Roses, 'Fascinating Rhythm' and 'Anyone Can Whistle'. Over this series Barry has featured thirty nine forgotten shows and eighty songs. Hopefully he says, the series will encourage people to seek out the complete scores of the shows - and who knows, perhaps to even stage a revival! Barry Manilow with the final episode of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |||
| 03 | 20180717 | 20190907 (R2) | In this, the last episode of his ten part series 'They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition!', Barry Manilow looks at three more extraordinary musicals. 'Mack and Mabel', 'Lady Be Good' and 'Anyone Can Whistle'. Written by Jerry Herman, the Gershwins and Stephen Sondheim respectively, each show produced some outstanding songs including 'I Won't Send Roses, 'Fascinating Rhythm' and 'Anyone Can Whistle'. Over this series Barry has featured thirty nine forgotten shows and eighty songs. Hopefully he says, the series will encourage people to seek out the complete scores of the shows - and who knows, perhaps to even stage a revival! Barry Manilow with the final episode of They Write the Songs - The Broadway Edition! Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 03 | 10 | Brian Wilson | 20191124 | Barry Manilow discusses the songwriting genius Brian Wilson. After defining a generation with his songs of surf, sun, sand and hot rods, Wilson developed into an innovative and influential rock and pop musician. In this episode Barry discusses his meteoric rise, his battle with depression and drugs and his enduring musical legacy. Barry Manilow discusses the songwriting genius behind The Beach Boys - Brian Wilson. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 04 | 01 | 20190922 | Barry starts his new series with two of the greatest popular song writers of all time. He looks at the way they expanded their song-writing from a basic three chord structure to include sophisticated changes, experimental techniques and new instruments. He discusses how The Beatles bridged the gap between the classic song writers of the Great American Song Book and the hit singles of pop radio, illustrating on piano how the music they heard at home, crept into the structures of their songs. Barry looks at how the two styles of John Lennon and Paul McCartney resulted in so many different styles of song. From the early hits like Please Please Me' to the inspired combined writing of A Day in the Life'. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 01 | 20190922 | Barry starts his new series with two of the greatest popular song writers of all time. He looks at the way they expanded their song-writing from a basic three chord structure to include sophisticated changes, experimental techniques and new instruments. He discusses how The Beatles bridged the gap between the classic song writers of the Great American Song Book and the hit singles of pop radio, illustrating on piano how the music they heard at home, crept into the structures of their songs. Barry looks at how the two styles of John Lennon and Paul McCartney resulted in so many different styles of song. From the early hits like ‘Please Please Me' to the inspired combined writing of ‘A Day in the Life'. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 02 | 20190929 | Barry looks at four of the songwriters who occupied the famous Brill building in New York. Carole King and Gerry Goffin & Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were often competing to write songs for the same recording artists. Their colleagues in the building were doing the same - people like Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Barry looks at Goffin and King & Mann and Weil's astonishing output, songs like Take Good Care of My Baby'; On Broadway', Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' and We've Gotta Get Outta This Place' and traces how their partnerships grew and developed, both personally and in their song-writing, over the years. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. Barry looks at four of the songwriters who occupied the famous Brill building in New York. Carole King and Gerry Goffin & Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were often competing to write songs for the same recording artists. Their colleagues in the building were doing the same – people like Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Barry looks at Goffin and King & Mann and Weil's astonishing output, songs like ‘Take Good Care of My Baby'; ‘On Broadway', ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' and ‘We've Gotta Get Outta This Place' and traces how their partnerships grew and developed, both personally and in their song-writing, over the years. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 03 | 20191006 | Barry marvels at the sheer output of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees. Literally hundreds of songs! Barry tells the story of the Bee Gees' rise to fame, from their early harmonising as youngsters to their first recording hit Spicks and Specks'. He traces their career through their more sophisticated writing on songs like Massachusetts', I Started a Joke' and How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' to their domination of disco with their most celebrated album Saturday Night Fever'. Barry also discusses how the group survived a mauling by the rock critics and went on to write a succession of smash hits for other artists including Barbra Streisand's Guilty' and A Woman in Love', Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's Islands in the Stream' and Heartbreaker' for Dionne Warwick. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. Barry marvels at the sheer output of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees. Literally hundreds of songs! Barry tells the story of the Bee Gees' rise to fame, from their early harmonising as youngsters to their first recording hit ‘Spicks and Specks'. He traces their career through their more sophisticated writing on songs like ‘Massachusetts', ‘I Started a Joke' and ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' to their domination of disco with their most celebrated album ‘Saturday Night Fever'. Barry also discusses how the group survived a mauling by the rock critics and went on to write a succession of smash hits for other artists including Barbra Streisand's ‘Guilty' and ‘A Woman in Love', Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's ‘Islands in the Stream' and ‘Heartbreaker' for Dionne Warwick. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 04 | 20191013 | Barry turns his attention to the unique collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The two writers came together when both responded to the same advertisement in the New Musical Express asking for songwriters. While Taupin wrote lyrics, he couldn't write melodies and vice versa for Elton John. When both came together, an extraordinary partnership began. There would be no sitting in a room together bashing out songs (as with Carole King and Gerry Goffin or Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill) instead Taupin would simply write a lyric and send it to John. Unlike other writers who plan and discuss what kind of song they wanted to write, for Bernie Taupin and Elton John neither knows what the other is writing until the lyric is put on the piano - then inspiration for the melody strikes - or not! As Barry comments It may just be the purest way of collaborating I've ever heard of, because you're not creating with your mind, you're creating with your gut'. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 04 | 20191013 | Barry turns his attention to the unique collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The two writers came together when both responded to the same advertisement in the New Musical Express asking for songwriters. While Taupin wrote lyrics, he couldn't write melodies and vice versa for Elton John. When both came together, an extraordinary partnership began. There would be no sitting in a room together bashing out songs (as with Carole King and Gerry Goffin or Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill) instead Taupin would simply write a lyric and send it to John. Unlike other writers who plan and discuss what kind of song they wanted to write, for Bernie Taupin and Elton John neither knows what the other is writing until the lyric is put on the piano – then inspiration for the melody strikes – or not! As Barry comments ‘It may just be the purest way of collaborating I've ever heard of, because you're not creating with your mind, you're creating with your gut'. Barry Manilow is back with a fourth series of 'They Write The Songs'. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 05 | 20191020 | It may surprise people to see the Father of Electronic Dance Music' Giorgio Moroder included in a series about the art of song-writing. In this programme Barry looks at the particular song writing talent required to compose with computers. Moroder was the champion of The Moog' which changed the sound of modern music fundamentally after its invention. Lyric writing would have to change too, a point that Barry vividly illustrates by singing the lyric of Johnny Mercer's ballad Moon River', and his own Copacobana', over the original track to I Feel Love'. In this episode, we hear how songs began to be built up with nothing more than an electronic pulse, then adding a bass line, synthesizer sounds, drums and so on. Whereas in the golden age the lyric might come first, now it would come last, and it's shape would be dictated by the track. A revolution in the way songs are written had begun. Barry Manilow looks at the impact made by songwriter and producer Georgio Moroder. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 05 | 20191020 | It may surprise people to see the ‘Father of Electronic Dance Music' Giorgio Moroder included in a series about the art of song-writing. In this programme Barry looks at the particular song writing talent required to compose with computers. Moroder was the champion of ‘The Moog' which changed the sound of modern music fundamentally after its invention. Lyric writing would have to change too, a point that Barry vividly illustrates by singing the lyric of Johnny Mercer's ballad ‘Moon River', and his own ‘Copacobana', over the original track to ‘I Feel Love'. In this episode, we hear how songs began to be built up with nothing more than an electronic pulse, then adding a bass line, synthesizer sounds, drums and so on. Whereas in the golden age the lyric might come first, now it would come last, and it's shape would be dictated by the track. A revolution in the way songs are written had begun. Barry Manilow looks at the impact made by songwriter and producer Georgio Moroder. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | ||
| 04 | 06 | Madonna | 20191027 | Barry Manilow assesses the songwriting career of Madonna from 'Like A Virgin' to 'Ray of Light' and beyond. Over thirty years Madonna has constantly and successfully changed direction, innovated and re-invented her sound, image and writing. Barry follows her development from the simple two chord structure of 'Into the Groove' to the sophisticated lyrical ideas behind 'Papa Don't Preach'. It's a career of continuous experimentation with new musical ideas, new images and a constant quest for the best in rock and pop music. Barry Manilow looks at the songwriting and recording career of Madonna. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 04 | 07 | Billy Joel | 20191103 | Episode 7 of Barry Manilow's new series. Tonight features a man born in the Bronx, New York, who became one of the most successful singer songwriters of all time - Billy Joel. Inspired by The Beatles, who he saw on the Ed Sullivan television show in America, Billy Joel dropped out of high school to follow his dream of a career in music. 'I never knew that regular people could be pop stars' he says, 'When I saw the Beatles, they were like my friends. Just regular guys, not manufactured. And John had this look in his eye that said 'This is so ridiculous, come on!' ... and I thought well, it can be done.' Millions of record sales later Billy Joel holds a unique place as a songwriter who could write intelligent lyrics, beautiful ballads and catchy pop songs with seemingly equal ease. But of his writing he says, 'I don't just go to the mountain top and wait for the muse. I have to work at it. Mostly it's just banging away at the piano to hopefully get something! Barry Manilow looks at the recording career of the singer songwriter Billy Joel. Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 04 | 08 | Laura Nyro | 20191110 | Barry Manilow looks at the career of the uniquely talented singer / songwriter, Laura Nyro. Among her admirers are Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Stephen Sondheim, yet Laura remains largely unknown to the public. Among her songs 'Stony End' a huge hit for Barbra Streisand, 'And When I Die' for the band 'Blood Sweat and Tears' and 'Sweet Blindness' for 'The Fifth Dimension'. Laura was a songwriting prodigy who made her first album when she was just nineteen. Her songs were sought out and recorded by, among others, Chet Atkins, Chris Connor, 'Mama' Cass Elliot, Maynard Ferguson, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Linda Rondstadt, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Frank Sinatra. Her unique style, with tempo changes and complex lyric writing, plus a determination to go her own way, produced several albums - none of which were successful! But all of which contain her extraordinary songs. In this programme Barry Manilow showcases her remarkable talent. Barry Manilow discusses the unique talent of the influential singer songwriter Laura Nyro Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. | |
| 04 | 09 | Paul Simon | 20191117 | Barry Manilow discusses the work of one of the most successful singer songwriters of all time - Paul Simon. As one half of Simon and Garfunkel (with Art Garfunkel) he wrote, sang and produced a string of albums and hit records including 'The Sound of Silence', 'Mrs Robinson', 'Homeward Bound' 'Feelin Groovy', 'America' and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Paul Simon then went on to pursue a successful solo career that included the groundbreaking album 'Graceland', featuring the huge hit 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes'; and added to his multi award winning career (including 16 Grammys) with Time Magazine listing him as one of the 'One Hundred People Who Changed the World'. In this programme Barry follows his career, from ambitious teenager to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Barry Manilow discusses the multi-award winning and multi-million selling - Paul Simon Barry Manilow looks at the lives and works of composers of the Great American Songbook. |