1973 - Barry Manilow (1) - Barry Manilow

50 Years Ago - 1973 Barry Manilow released his self-titled debut album.

(Renamed Barry Manilow 1 in 1975.)

The album failed to catch on in 1973 and a few songs were reworked with the album re-released in 1975 after the success of "Mandy" and "It's a Miracle" from his 1974 album.

The only hit from the album was "Could It Be Magic" which was inspired by Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in C minor, Opus 28, Number 20.

Barry co-wrote it for the band Featherbed with Tony Orlando but really didn't like the arrangement.

He reworked the song to a slower tempo with new lyrics and it was the B-side of "Cloudburst."

The song was reworked for the 1975 rerelease and ended up being a #6 hit. (#4 AC)

Donna Summer had a #3 Club hit with it the next year.

There is also a Disco Mix floating around out there with Barry on the Vocals.