Barry Manilow releases theme for his farewell tour

The news came a few days before Christmas Day, 2025. Barry Manilow, the famous singer and songwriter, is ill with lung cancer. This diagnosis led to the cancellation of this current arena tour around the U.S. of A.

Before this happened, the 82-year-old Manilow had already decided to retire from performing and the tour would be the last time that his fans would see him do his many hit songs live. Think Mandy, Even Now, I Write the Songs, Somewhere Down the Road, It’s Just Another New Year’s Eve, Weekend in New England, Copacabana, etc.

Thankfully, cancer is no longer the death sentence it once was. Survivors are all around us and, after the surgery he is scheduled to undergo, Manilow will surely be among them. In fact, he is expected to resume touring soon after.

Before this jarring piece of news, though, what caught my eyes and of course, my ears, was the release of Manilow’s latest single, out of his upcoming album, “What a Time.”

Titled Once Before I Go, the song was pegged as the theme for his farewell tour, and I have never heard his rendition as heartfelt and as affecting as his recording of this song.

Once Before I Go is actually an old song. It is a composition by Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford that was originally written for actress Ann Margret. It was last heard in the musical “The Boy from Oz,” which featured Allen’s music and where it was performed by the lead star, Hugh Jackman.

I do not know if other versions of the song exist. That is save for Allen’s own recording. If not, I think I know the reason why. Once Before I Go requires an interpreter with gravitas, a singer who can sing the words, “So hang on to the memories and hold me close once more… Once before I go,” and make the audience feel both the pain and the expectation behind goodbye. At this point in his career, Manilow has just the right amount.

Now as far as “retirement” songs go, nothing beats the punch-in-the-gut effect of Frank Sinatra’s My Way. Lyricist Paul Anka fully captured the great voice facing goodbye in every line. But Once Before I Go, lighter and sweetly romantic is just perfect for Manilow. Here is hoping he will be singing the song again soon during his arena tour.

By the way, Allen, who is from Australia, is one of my favorite songwriters. He also wrote I Honestly Love You, The More I See You, Don’t Cry Out Loud, You and Me (We Wanted It All), I’d Rather Leave While I’m in Love, Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do), among others.

Another by the way. This time about Hugh Jackman. I was browsing online when I caught the trailer for the movie “Song Sung Blue,” and there was Jackman, sideburns and all, being Neil Diamond and singing the classic songs.

No, it is not a biopic, although producers should start thinking of putting Jackman in the film version of the Diamond musical, “A Beautiful Noise.” “Song Sung Blue” is a love story about Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Lightning and Thunder is played by Jackman and Kate Hudson and they get to sing lots of Neil Diamond hits. Play Me, I Am…I Said, Sweet Caroline, Holly Holy, I’m a Believer, Cherry Cherry, plus, of course, Song Sung Blue. Feedback about the movie is very good. So, I really hope we will get it out here soon.

One more by the way. Aside from a Neil Diamond biopic, another interesting one would be Manilow’s. With all his hits and his eventful life, it will make for great viewing. Truth to tell, “What a Time,” just like his album, should be a fitting title.