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๐ŸŽค Artist Deep Dive โœจ Pop

Top 10 Barry Manilow Albums Ranked Best to Worse

Barry Manilow Cover

๐ŸŽง Artist Spotlight

Barry Manilow

Dive deep into the essential discography of Barry Manilow. Explore the defining studio albums that shaped their legendary career.

โšก Key Highlights of Article

  • Ranked list of Barry Manilow’s top 10 studio albums from best to worse.
  • Highlights essential pop masterpieces like Even Now and This One’s for You.
  • Includes vinyl pressing tips and key tracks for every featured record.
  • Features a dedicated FAQ and vinyl buying guide for collectors.
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๐Ÿ“‹ Vinyl Guide (10 Albums)Jump List โŒƒ

Barry Manilow is far more than just the voice behind massive, soaring pop ballads; he is a master craftsman of 1970s and 1980s radio melody. His records combine theatrical flair, immaculate production, and unforgettable hooks that sound incredible when dropped onto a turntable. Whether you are hunting for vintage original pressings or rediscovering his golden run of hits, Manilow’s catalog offers a goldmine for pop vinyl collectors.

We have dug through his extensive discography of studio albums to rank his top ten records from best to worst. While his later output shifted into standards and thematic collections, his peak 70s run delivered some of the finest soft pop records ever pressed to wax.

Essential Barry Manilow Albums Ranked

#1 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Even Now

Label: Arista • Released: 1978

Barry Manilow โ€” Even Now

Label: Arista • Released: 1978

Even Now represents the absolute pinnacle of Barry Manilow’s songwriting and dramatic vocal delivery. It blends cinematic ballads with infectious uptempo pop, making it a masterclass in 1970s studio production that sounds magnificent on vinyl.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Copacabana (At the Copa)
โ™ซ Even Now
โ™ซ Can’t Smile Without You
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Look for original Arista gatefold pressings with the embossed cover text for the ultimate analog experience.
#2 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” This One’s for You

Label: Arista • Released: 1976

Barry Manilow โ€” This One’s for You

Label: Arista • Released: 1976

This album solidified Manilow as a megastar by balancing deeply emotional torch songs with breezy, sunshine-pop grooves. The sequencing flows effortlessly, capturing a confident artist hitting his absolute creative stride.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ This One’s for You
โ™ซ Weekend In New England
โ™ซ Jump Shout Boogie
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original US Arista pressings are plentiful and sound remarkably warm and full in the low end.
#3 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Tryin’ to Get the Feeling

Label: Arista • Released: 1975

Barry Manilow โ€” Tryin’ to Get the Feeling

Label: Arista • Released: 1975

A brilliant sophomore breakthrough on the Arista label, this record features some of his most enduring and heartbreakingly honest ballads. It showcases his uncanny ability to make personal storytelling feel like a massive stadium singalong.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Write the Songs
โ™ซ Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again
โ™ซ New York City Rhythm
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Keep an eye out for clean copies with the original lyric inner sleeve intact.
#4 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” One Voice

Label: Arista • Released: 1979

Barry Manilow โ€” One Voice

Label: Arista • Released: 1979

One Voice leans heavily into lush orchestrations and soaring vocal harmonies, highlighted by one of his most iconic global smash hits. It is a slightly more reflective album that still packs plenty of radio-ready punch.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ One Voice
โ™ซ Ships
โ™ซ Why Don’t We Try a Slow Dance
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Early pressings feature a crisp high-end response that brings out the intricate string arrangements.
#5 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry Manilow II

Label: Bell • Released: 1974

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry Manilow II

Label: Bell • Released: 1974

Home to the breakout track that changed his entire career trajectory, this sophomore release established his signature theatrical pop style. While the production is slightly more stripped-down than his later Arista blockbusters, the songwriting charm is undeniable.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Mandy
โ™ซ I Want to Be Somebody’s Baby
โ™ซ Early Morning Strangers
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original Bell Records pressings are a must-have for completionist vintage collectors.
#6 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry

Label: Arista • Released: 1980

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry

Label: Arista • Released: 1980

As the 1980s dawned, Manilow experimented with sleeker production and slightly more contemporary adult-contemporary styling. Barry delivers consistent vocal performances and remains an underrated gem in his core studio run.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Made It Through the Rain
โ™ซ Lonely Together
โ™ซ Mandy
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Standard 1980s Arista pressing; look for quiet vinyl surfaces to fully appreciate the ballad arrangements.
#7 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” If I Should Love Again

Label: Arista • Released: 1981

Barry Manilow โ€” If I Should Love Again

Label: Arista • Released: 1981

This album captures Manilow fully embracing grand, sweeping romantic themes with rich synthesizers and lush backing vocals. While some tracks lean heavily into adult contemporary territory, the emotional commitment is absolute.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ The Old Songs
โ™ซ If I Should Love Again
โ™ซ Let’s Hang On
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Readily available in thrift bins, usually found in very clean condition.
#8 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry Manilow

Label: Bell • Released: 1973

Barry Manilow โ€” Barry Manilow

Label: Bell • Released: 1973

His debut studio album offers a fascinating glimpse into the artist before the massive pop machinery took over. It is folkier, theatrical, and sets the foundational storytelling template for everything that followed.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Could It Be Magic (Single Edit)
โ™ซ Mandy
โ™ซ It’s a Miracle (Single Edit)
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Original 1973 Bell label pressings can be slightly harder to track down in pristine shape.
#9 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Here Comes the Night

Label: Arista • Released: 1982

Barry Manilow โ€” Here Comes the Night

Label: Arista • Released: 1982

Here Comes the Night finds Manilow experimenting with upbeat rock-pop textures and slightly more modern 80s beats. Though it lacks the massive chart dominance of his mid-70s work, it features fun genre-bending cuts.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ I Wanna Do It with You
โ™ซ Some Kind of Friend
โ™ซ Here Comes the Night
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Often found affordably in bargain bins for collectors building out a full Arista run.
#10 Essential Pick

Barry Manilow โ€” Manilow

Label: RCA • Released: 1985

Barry Manilow โ€” Manilow

Label: RCA • Released: 1985

Moving to RCA, Manilow attempted to modernize his sound for mid-80s radio with electronic drums and synthesized polish. While it feels a bit dated compared to his timeless 70s classics, it closes out his mainline pop era with interesting stylistic choices.

๐Ÿ”Š PREVIEW TOP TRACKS โŒ„
โ™ซ Mandy
โ™ซ It’s a Miracle
โ™ซ Could It Be Magic
๐Ÿชฉ Vinyl Pressing & Mastering Notes: Mid-80s RCA pressings feature dynamic mastering, though dynamic range is tighter than his 70s records.
๐Ÿ“ฉ

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โ“ Frequently Asked Questions (Pop)

Q: What is considered Barry Manilow’s best album for vinyl collectors?

1978’s ‘Even Now’ is widely regarded as Manilow’s ultimate masterpiece, featuring iconic tracks like ‘Copacabana’ and ‘Can’t Smile Without You.’ Produced by Ron Dante, its rich dynamic range and lush orchestral arrangements make original Arista vinyl pressings a essential centerpiece for pop audio enthusiasts.

Q: Which album served as Barry Manilow’s commercial and artistic breakthrough?

‘Barry Manilow II’ (1974) launched him into superstardom thanks to the massive, chart-topping success of ‘Mandy.’ The album established his signature formula of dramatic piano-driven melodies, grand key changes, and sophisticated adult contemporary songwriting.

Q: How do Manilow’s 1980s albums compare to his classic 1970s releases?

While 1970s staples like ‘Tryin’ to Get the Feeling’ and ‘This One’s for You’ relied on traditional orchestral pop, 1980s records like ‘Here Comes the Night’ and ‘Manilow’ introduced synth-pop textures and polished contemporary production. Though less commercially dominant, these later albums demonstrate his remarkable versatility as a composer navigating shifting sonic trends.

Q: Are original vinyl pressings of Barry Manilow records rare or valuable?

Because blockbusters like ‘One Voice’ and ‘If I Should Love Again’ sold in the millions, original pressings are abundant and very affordable for collectors. However, hunting down pristine Near-Mint copies with unblemished jacket artwork and clean analog grooves offers incredible audiophile value at bargain prices.

Q: What makes ‘This One’s for You’ a stand-out record in his discography?

Released in 1976, ‘This One’s for You’ captures Manilow at peak artistic momentum, yielding unforgettable classics like ‘Looks Like We Made It.’ The vinyl edition boasts a warm, balanced mid-range mix that beautifully highlights his emotive vocal performances and intricate horn arrangements.

Vinyl Crate-Digging & Buying Guide

Building a Barry Manilow vinyl collection is one of the most rewarding and budget-friendly hobbies for crate diggers. Because he sold millions of records in the 1970s and 80s, original pressings on Arista and Bell are almost always found in pristine condition in thrift stores and dollar bins.

When hunting for his best work, prioritize gatefold pressings like Even Now and This One’s for You. Look for clean vinyl surfaces and original inner sleeves, and you can easily build an incredible showcase of pop history for very little money.

Final Thoughts

Barry Manilow’s catalog is a masterclass in melodic pop craftsmanship, theatrical arrangement, and unforgettable vocal hooks. Spinning these classic records on vinyl brings out the warm orchestrations and joyous energy that made him a global legend. Dive into his 70s masterpieces today and rediscover the magic.

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