I am a Fanilow

Anyone who tells you they don’t like any of Barry Manilow’s songs is lying to your face. I know it’s not really hip to like him right now, unless you’re over the age of 60, but I am not afraid to stand up and say it. I think he has so many great songs (that’s right, I said GREAT) and there has to be at least one for everybody. Weekend in New England is my Manilow tune of choice right now because it’s beautiful and sad and lovely, and the part where it builds to crescendo at the end is so much fun to sing at the top of your lungs in the car, attracting the attention of fellow motorists who wonder why you look like you’re going into convulsions at the wheel. (See also: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me by Mel Carter.) Weekend might be too cheesy for some people, but who doesn’t love Copacabana? I know it’s more reminiscent of Miami, but I think it’s so awesome in that “Las Vegas in the 70s” way, like men in sharp suits and women in sequined gowns swilling gin and rolling hard eights at the Craps table. If you don’t like Copa, you’re not old enough or knowledgeable enough to understand how cool Vegas was in the 70s and you need to go rent Casino and sit in awe of Sharon Stone’s costumes and eye make-up. Hottest spot north of Havana!

Also, there was that awesome Star Wars Cantina parody that just makes the song even cooler.