This Barry Manilow Hit From 1976 Was Actually Intended for The Carpenters

Barry Manilow’s 1976 recording of “Tryin’ to Get the Feeling Again” became a major hit, although songwriter David Pomeranz had originally written it with The Carpenters in mind. The story highlights how a song intended for one act can find a different audience and become closely associated with another performer.

Pomeranz said he thought The Carpenters had not recorded the song until Karen Carpenter’s version appeared on their 1995 album *Interpretations*. He had also released his own version in 1975, while Manilow’s became his fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. Pomeranz drew on difficulties in his first marriage when writing it; Manilow left out the bridge on the studio recording but later included it in live performances.