Album: Tryin' To Get The Feeling (1975)

Charted: 1

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• I've been alive forever
  And I wrote the very first song
  I put the words and the melodies together
  I am music and I write the songs
  
  I write the songs that make the whole world sing
  I write the songs of love and special things
  I write the songs that make the young girls cry
  I write the songs, I write the songs
  
  My home lies deep within you
  And I've got my own place in your soul
  Now, when I look out through your eyes
  I'm young again, even though I'm very old
  
  I write the songs that make the whole world sing
  I write the songs of love and special things
  I write the songs that make the young girls cry
  I write the songs, I write the songs
  
  Oh my music makes you dance
  And gives you spirit to take a chance
  And I wrote some rock 'n' roll so you can move
  Music fills your heart
  Well, that's a real fine place to start
  It's from me it's for you
  It's from you, it's for me
  It's a worldwide symphony
  
  I write the songs that make the whole world sing
  I write the songs of love and special things
  I write the songs that make the young girls cry
  I write the songs, I write the songs
  
  I write the songs that make the whole world sing
  I write the songs of love and special things
  I write the songs that make the young girls cry
  I write the songs, I write the songs
  
  I am music (music) and I write the songs Writer/s: Bruce Johnston
  Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 26

• Tim from Onif you listen o the lyrics , they give away the influence of this song.....it describes fallen angel lucifer and how his musical gift was and is used to infect the world. God gave him a beautiful voice but he used it for evil.
• Donna Jenkins from OhioEvery time I’d see Barry Manilow introduced on a TV program or music show he was often introduced with “Here he is….THE MAN WHO WRITES THE SONGS!” Lol!! Oh man. I laugh and feel irritated at the same time. I feel so bad for him and imagine him cringing inside every time. Most people do hear the song that way but a host?? You would think the host would be told beforehand that music writes the songs, not Barry Manilow. Although he is wonderfully and beautifully talented and can write and has written, it’s still “music’ that makes and writes the song. Thank you for being who you are Barry Manilow, especially for being humble, polite and kind enough to not yell or scream at those who don’t “get” it.
• Jennifur SunSo many people pan him and this song but know where Bruce is coming from so glad he WROTE THIS SONG
• Tony from Livonia MichiganI always thought it sounded like "God" was telling us where music comes from. Which I believe to be true, he just sent his message through Bruce Johnson's writing.
  
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 9th 1975, "I Write the Songs" by Barry Manilow entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #48; and 9 weeks later on January 11th, 1976 it peaked at #1 {for 1 week} and spent 20 weeks on the Top 100...
  And on December 7th, 1975 it also peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
  Between 1973 and 1988 he had twenty-nine Top 100 records; eleven made the Top 10 with three reaching #1, his two other #1 records were "Mandy" for 1 week in 1975 and "Looks Like We Made It" for 1 week in 1977...
  He just missed having twelve Top 10 records when "Ready to Take a Chance Again" peaked at #11 in 1978...
  Mr. Manilow, born Barry Alan Pincus, will celebrate his 72nd birthday come next June 17th {2015}.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyWhen Bruce Johnston wrote this song I wonder if he used a ballpoint pen*...
  * On October 29th 1945, the first commercially-made ballpoint pens went on sale at Gimbels Department Store in New York City...
  The cost: $12.50.
• David from Lynn, Massachusetts, MaStarry-eyed Jesus freaks herein should take their comments to other sites. This one is for music freaks.
• Bruce from Santa Barbara, CaI enjoy reading all the pro and con comments about my song "I Write The Songs."
  I suggest just a slight change at the top of of the Songfacts Board.... Please change the following: "This was written by Bruce Johnston, who was a member of The Beach Boys." to: This was written by Bruce Johnston, who is a member of the Beach Boys.
  
  Thanks (I'm still in the band performing 140-170 worldwide concerts!)
  Bruce Johnston
  September 17, 2011
• Dom from Toronto, Onheaven and hell is not a place of reward or punishment, but a state of mind
• Roberta Trevisan from S?o Paulo, BrazilSomeone said that Lucifer (or Devil, whatever he's a loser anyway) composed the first song, yeah, he did it, but who gave this wonderful talent? God! Who else? And when this angel came to the Earth he thought that could everything (and still think, that's worse), but he can't.
• Roberta Trevisan from S?o Paulo, BrazilOnce Galileo Galilei had said: "Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe." And I do believe this, God does whatever He wants and He doesn't care a damn thing to the Devil, also he can do whatever he wants to, but God created everything He doesn't need to fake anything and Devil needs because he's a gambler and some other bad things that you might know very well. So that's why I believe that Rock n Roll (and some other genres) doesn't belong to the Devil and it does belong to God, if the bands are not praising God... well, I can't decide anything, I'm not the judge, He is.
• Carl from Blackfoot, IdWhere does all this nonsense about Satan come from? This is truly bizarre. Everything comes from God. He created our universe. The inspiration for writing music comes from God. But like television, the internet, and most all other forms of technology and arts, Satan finds a way to use them for his evil purposes. Do not fear Satan. He only has as much control over your life as you give him. But for those who love and stay close to God, Satan can do very little. God is more powerful the Satan, but he will not force His will or purpose upon anyone. They is a fundamental principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are agency can condemn us, but through our agency to repent and have faith in God, Jesus saves us. Once again, "I Write the Songs" is a masterpiece of beauty and love that Satan would like to destroy. Don't let Satan confuse you into thinking that he wrote it. As the lyrics state "I am music, and I write the songs." God created music, and as Bruce said, "...music comes only from God."
• Carl from Blackfoot, IdI truly believe what Bruce said about who writes the songs. Music comes from God, not the devil. Perhaps there are some evil songs God gave permission for the devil to author, but "I Write the Songs" is not one of them. I have seldom heard a more inspiration song (from God) than that one. "I write the songs that make the whole world sing" (as brothers and sisters united in love). This reminds me of how the world will be when Jesus returns. Only God could put those words and melody together. God is music. What an amazing song!!!
• Tami from Daytona Beach, Florida, VaI wholeheartedly agree with Mayra, Riverside California- this is a song describing Satan- I have been telling people this, but they don't understand!!!! Satan prospers people in the 'industry' who worship and pay homage to him, but there is a price to pay when you play with the Devil... God bless! :)
• Jeff from Austin, TxI always liked the melody of this song, but recently I actually listened to all of the lyrics and realized that Barry was referring to 'music' writing the songs. I now consider this one of my all time favorite songs.
• Harold from San Bernadino, CaSongfacts:....what about "Bandstand Boogie"? that was a great one as well!
• Daevid from Glendale, CaAmong the favorites of mine, for sure------brings back very fond memories.
• Mayra from Riverside, CaInteresting how this entire song describes Satan. (Lucifer, indeed wrote the very first song...he was the leader of the chorale in heaven...). C'mon people, dont be so blind...
• Sara from Silver Spring, MdBruce Johnson recorded it first it is on one of the "Before They Were Hits-Or We Did It First" compliations.
• Jerry from Brooklyn, NyNo one seems to remember that Frank Sinatra did a version of this, only he changed it to "I SING the Songs". He was kind of losing his voice by then and it was only fair. It also kind of missed the point that it was more about the inspiration of the songwriter, not the writer himself. The singer has a different kind of inspiration.
• Jay from Atlanta, GaBarry also wrote commercial jingles such as McDonalds "You deserve a break today, so get up and get away...." and State Farm insurance "And like a good neighbor State Farm is there....".
• AnonymousBruce Johnston finally recorded his own version of this song on his forgotten "Going Public" album.
• Joshua from Twin Cities, MnA band called Dayglo Abortions also does a punk/grunge cover of this song.
• Gary from Ft Lauderdale, FlI have seen House Arrest Chris on the local club scene here in Lauderdale. AWESOME! He covers many songs, but yes, "I Write The Songs" is my favorite too. Head-banging version of course. It is definitely a show for adults, with lot's of profanity and suggestive dance moves by Chris. When I saw him over Memorial Day weekend he set his penis on fire during his version of "Dancing Queen".
• Bob from Boca Raton, FlA hot young talent down here in South Florida named House Arrest Chris covers this in his concerts. He does a heavy metal version of this song and it ROCKS!! Keep an eye on this up and coming superstar- when he hits your town check out the show!
• Steven from New York City, NyWhenever David Cassidy plays "I write The Songs" live, he usually points out that he was the first to record it. Captain and Tennile actually recorded a decent version of this song, but of course Manilow's is the definitive version. This was Barry's second US #1 out of three ("Mandy" was the first and "Looks LIke We Made It" was the third).

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