Greatest Songs of the Eighties

First let me say this cover...is my favorite, and the back it has become my newest favorite picture of Barry.

I have read a few reviews of the CD from others, and a song either makes me feel good and want to hear it again or it doesn't - so I am going to do something different with this review.

Since the 1980s was my high school time, I have memories attached to each song.

Islands in the Stream - I have to admit, I liked Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton's version so I had no doubts that I would enjoy it. I'm crossing fingers, toes, legs, and eyes in hopes that he sings this when I see him next month.

My first thought when I heard it - Seeing Dolly and Kenny on Solid Gold (remember that show, I cannot remember if Dionne Warwick was still hosting it or not) But, I remember seeing Dolly bounce in front of Kenny singing the song.

Open Arms - Love this one.

My first thought when I heard it - Watching this video on MTV. Steve Perry sang this song so differently, but his voice is very different than Barry's. Beautiful song, and the words would really be beautiful no matter who sang it (as long as they can carry a note).

Never Gonna Give You Up - Catchy song.

My first thought when I heard it - I, honestly, thought it was Barry White's song of the same title. I saw the title and thought how in the world Barry was going to pull that one off. He's good but come on Barry - Barry White? Then I found out it was Rick Astley's version. I said, okay then I still couldn't wait to hear it.

Have I Told You Lately - Love this one

My first thought when I heard it - I want to see him sing it live because of the piano solo in the middle. I can picture him with the spotlight on him, and that far away look he gets when he has climbed into a song.

I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie's version is still safe in my book. I just can't get it out of my head; I've tried to listen to it for it to grow on me, and it hasn't so hitting the forward button is what I'll do.

My first thought when I heard it - My niece was either 3 or 4. She loved this song, and she was just learning to dial the phone. Ours was the first one she learned. Whenever we picked up, she started to sing this song and being a toddler, she only knew the chorus, so we got it over and over again. LOL

Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) - Love this one. One of my favorites on the CD.

My first thought when I heard it - Phil Collins. I went through a Genesis and Phil Collins period in high school, so this song was one of my favorites of his and still is.

Careless Whisper - This one is growing on me.

My first thought when I heard it - George Michael and was he gorgeous during that time? When I saw it on QVC, I knew it was going to have to grow on me. I just wasn't feeling it.

Right Here Waiting - Like this one.

My first thought when I heard it - High school prom and Richard Marx's hair.

Arthur's Theme - Love this one.

My first thought when I heard it - Dudley Moore's laugh. The movie was cute with he and Liza Minnelli, but his loud laugh is what echoes in my head.

Hard to Say I'm Sorry - Like his one.

My first thought when I heard it - Peter Cetera's version is still my favorite. Barry does a good job; I just cannot get the original out of my head.

Time After Time - Jury's still out on this one.

My first thought when I heard it - Cyndi Lauper's video with the trailer in the middle of the woods. I am on the fence on this one, not sure if I like it or not.

I've Had the Time of My Life - Like this one.

My first thought when I heard it - Dirty Dancing (of course) and why I cannot get the original version to stop playing in my head. After that, I like it slowed down, and the chuckle at the end is priceless.

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The 80s was the MTV decade, so each of these songs had a video and you can tell that my memory of a couple of the songs was just that. I miss the videos because they used to tell the story of the song, and you got to see the artist (most of the time). I miss those days.

Overall, I enjoy the CD and have played it over and over. I guess I am one of the few that does not mind the cover songs. I think Barry has a way of making someone else's song his own and it takes you back to revisit songs that we sometimes forget about.

An original album would be lovely, but from the business standpoint, the original albums have not made the money of these cover albums. So, I totally understand the reason for them because in entertainment $$ is the name of the game. We all know it, so just deal.

Back to the CD cover shots - Of the decade CDs, my favorite cover was the 60s - until this one. Those eyes. The man can work a camera can't he?

Manilow and Davis Reunite for the Greatest Songs of the Eighties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MANILOW AND DAVIS REUNITE FOR THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES

NEW BARRY MANILOW ALBUM SET FOR NOVEMBER 25TH RELEASE ON ARISTA RECORDS

• THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE FIFTIES
(#1 DEBUT, 2006)
• THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SIXTIES
(#2 DEBUT, 2006)
• THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE SEVENTIES
(#4 DEBUT, 2007)

Classics from the ’80s – “Islands in the Stream” duet with Reba McEntire, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” “Careless Whisper,” “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” “Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do),” “Time After Time,” “I've Had the Time of My Life,” “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now),” AND MORE!

ULTIMATE MANILOW: The Hits –
Manilow’s new show begins his 5th sold-out year at Las Vegas Hilton

(October 16, 2008 – New York, NY) Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-winning Arista recording artist Barry Manilow just announced the release of his new album, THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES, a brand new 12-song collection that will arrive in stores on Arista Records on November 25th.

Working with longtime collaborator Clive Davis, Chief Creative Officer of Sony BMG Worldwide, Manilow and co-producers Scott Erickson and Michael Lloyd have crafted a CD collection of instant memories.

Special pre-order campaign for THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES at the www.amazon.com

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES uncovers a bounty of treasures and reignites nostalgia for these fantastic hit songs reinterpreted by Manilow in his signature style - from his duet with Reba McEntire on “Islands in the Stream,” as they pay homage to Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s #1 duet of 1983 – to a trio of songs associated with memorable films: Phil Collins #1 hit of 1984, “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”; Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes’ #1 hit of 1987, “I've Had the Time of My Life” (from Dirty Dancing); and Christopher Cross’ Oscar-winning #1 hit of 1981, “Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do), ” and much more.

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES is Manilow’s newest addition to the mega-best-selling series of tribute albums that he masterminded with Arista founder Clive Davis. Davis has been Manilow’s hitmaking collaborator on virtually all his recordings, since they first worked together on “Mandy,” his debut #1 single as the first artist signed to Arista by Davis in 1974, the first year of the label’s existence.

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES continues the series that began nearly three years ago with The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties, which was certified RIAA platinum after entering the Billboard 200 at #1 in January 2006 (his first #1 album since Barry Manilow/Live in 1977). The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties (October 2006) entered at #2. When the RIAA platinum The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies entered at #4 (September 2007), he was distinguished as the only artist to chart three Top 5 debuts during 2006-2007.

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES moves seamlessly through a selection of major hits from both sides of the Atlantic. The UK is well-represented by “Careless Whisper,” the #1 hit of 1984 by Wham! featuring George Michael; Rick Astley’s #1 “Never Gonna Give You Up”; and a song that Van Morrison first wrote and recorded in 1989, “Have I Told You Lately,” which later became a giant hit for Rod Stewart.

Manilow’s impeccable performances and signature arranging style also breathe new life into a quintet of American classics: “Open Arms” by Journey; Chicago’s #1 “Hard to Say I'm Sorry”; Stevie Wonder’s #1 “I Just Called to Say I Love You”; Cyndi Lauper’s #1 “Time After Time”; and Richard Marx’s #1 “Right Here Waiting.”BARRY MANILOW: THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE EIGHTIES (tentative track listing and subject to change):

“Islands in the Stream” duet with Reba McEntire
“Open Arms”
“Never Gonna Give You Up”
“Have I Told You Lately”
“I Just Called to Say I Love You”
“Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)”
“Careless Whisper”
“Right Here Waiting”
“Arthur's Theme (The Best That You Can Do)”
“Hard to Say I'm Sorry”
“Time After Time”
“I've Had the Time of My Life”