Want proof Barry Manilow is a no-talent hack?

[Archae]

In today's USA Weekend magazine, he lists his 5 best Christmas songs.
(My comments in parentheses)

"The Christmas Waltz"
Sung by Frank Sinatra, "frosted windowpanes," and "painted candy canes."
(If you said you don't like it, Frankie would send his Mob cronies to teach you Christmas cheer.)

"The Christmas Song"
Sung by Mel Torme, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."
(Las Vegas Christmas, with all the Christmas warmth of a 5-watt bulb)

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
Sung by Frank Sinatra.
(See my first comment.)

"Silver Bells"
Sung by Bing Crosby.
(The joys of Christmas shopping.)

"Happy Holidays/White Christmas"
Sung by Der Bingie.
(Well, he got this one right.)

[Bluzmann57]

1. Barry Manilow is a no talent hack

But what are your favorite Christmas songs? His list is ok. But I don't like "traditional" Christmas music, so what do I know? Or care?

[Archae]

3. My favorites?

Hmmm...

1. "Carol Of The Bells"
Done by either the Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Mannheim Steamroller.

2. "Silent Night."
Sung at least partly in the original German, and by a boys' choir.

3. "Christmas At Ground Zero"
Weird Al. :-)

4. "Santa Claus and His Old Lady"
Cheech and Chong.

5. "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"
Burl Ives.

[KG]

2. he's pretty good at making money.

he's not totally with out talent.

[Deja Q]

6. He gets by with his looks.

At least he doesn't jiggle and shake to a lame electronic beat.

Or needs a computer to alter his voice...

[whistler162]

4. WOW you have such a tin ear!

While I prefer The Christmas Song as sung by Nat King Cole slightly over Mel's singing of his classic, along with Bob Wells, song. Actually it is Beverly Hills July while sitting by poolside sweltering.


"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is a beautiful/sad song again I prefer Judy Garlands singing of the song over Frank Sinatra's.

[HopeHoops]

5. Who needs proof? It was always obvious.

[grasswire]

7. I think his list of Christmas songs is fine.

Those are Christmas SONGS.

Not CAROLS.

If they had asked him for his favorite Christmas CAROLS, then something else would have turned up, no doubt.

[MilesColtrane]

8. "The Christmas Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", I agree with.

But, "I'll Be Home For Christmas" definitely needs to be on the list, as does "Sleigh Ride".

[GoneOffShore]

9. This could turn into a Christmas flame war thread.

Please define "no talent hack" in terms of musicality.

Manilow is a more than reasonable pianist, has written some memorable melodies and is a good lyricist within the range of the genre he works in.

From the Wikipedia entry on Manilow -

Several well-known entertainers have given Manilow their "stamp of approval," including Sinatra, who was quoted in the 1970s regarding Manilow, "He's next." In 1988, Bob Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, "Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Manilow