Peak
1
Weeks
20
Score
4,546
Chart Year
1976
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This was written by Bruce Johnston, who is a member of The Beach Boys. The song is sometimes erroneously rumored to be about Brian Wilson. Johnston cleared this up when he told us: "The Captain & Tennille were the first artists to record my song 'I Write The Songs.' I never wrote 'I Write The Songs' about Brian Wilson. I wrote it about 'where music comes from' (for me, music comes only from God). My song has nothing to do with Brian! I admire Brian Wilson's great melodies and, as a member of the Beach Boys, I'm singing these fantastic songs in concert year after year." Teen heartthrob David Cassidy released a successful version that was a single in England and hit #11 on the UK charts. Clive Davis, who was in charge of Manilow's record label, heard Cassidy's version and had Manilow record it. This won a Grammy for Song of the Year. The Beach Boys never won a Grammy - after winning this, Johnston became the only member of the group to get one until Brian Wilson's "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" was awarded Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 2005. >> From the liner notes of The Complete Collection And Then Some...: Manilow was originally reluctant to record this song, saying to Arista Records chief Clive Davis, "This 'I Write The Songs' thing Clive, I really don't want to do it." Manilow says his worry "was that the listeners would think I was singing about how "I" write the songs, when it was really about the inspiration of music. Clive understood, but didn't think it would be a problem. "Besides," he told me, "You DO write songs!" Manilow says he was concerned about coming off as a gigantic egomaniac, but that he liked the song so much he decided to record it. He adds, "Whenever I heard the song in public, I felt the need to run to everyone who was listening and say, 'You know, I'm really not singing about myself!'" >>
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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 15, 1975 | 48 | 78 |
| 2 | Nov 22, 1975 | 38 | 88 |
| 3 | Nov 29, 1975 | 27 | 99 |
| 4 | Dec 6, 1975 | 13 | 113 |
| 5 | Dec 13, 1975 | 11 | 115 |
| 6 | Dec 20, 1975 | 8 | 118 |
| 7 | Dec 27, 1975 | 6 | 120 |
| 8 | Jan 3, 1976 | 2 | 124 |
| 9 | Jan 10, 1976 | 2 | 124 |
| 10 | Jan 17, 1976 | 1 | 125 |
| 11 | Jan 24, 1976 | 2 | 124 |
| 12 | Jan 31, 1976 | 2 | 124 |
| 13 | Feb 7, 1976 | 4 | 122 |
| 14 | Feb 14, 1976 | 6 | 120 |
| 15 | Feb 21, 1976 | 6 | 120 |
| 16 | Feb 28, 1976 | 20 | 106 |
| 17 | Mar 6, 1976 | 27 | 99 |
| 18 | Mar 13, 1976 | 58 | 68 |
| 19 | Mar 20, 1976 | 66 | 60 |
| 20 | Mar 27, 1976 | 83 | 43 |