Barry Manilow Scores Billboard Milestone with New Single

Barry Manilow has achieved a remarkable milestone as his new single, “Once Before I Go,” debuts on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, dated February 7. The song enters the chart at No. 30, reflecting a 23% increase in audience reach to 94,000 plays across 25 stations from January 23 to January 29, according to data from Luminate.

This latest accomplishment extends Manilow’s history on the Adult Contemporary chart to an impressive 51 years and three months. He first appeared on the chart on November 7, 1974, with his breakout hit “Mandy.” This iconic ballad marked not only his first appearance on the Billboard charts but also became the first of his 13 No. 1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart, placing him third in the all-time rankings for the chart’s history, which began on July 17, 1961. Elton John holds the record with 18 No. 1s, followed by the Carpenters with 15.

Over the course of his career, Manilow has achieved 28 top 10 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart, totaling 53 entries overall. His previous chart appearance was in December 2023 with a cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which reached No. 14.

Collaboration and Upcoming Performances

“Once Before I Go” features the collaboration of acclaimed songwriters Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford, who originally recorded the song in 1983, achieving a peak position of No. 26 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The new version produced by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Demonte Posey showcases Manilow’s enduring appeal and artistic evolution.

At 82, Manilow is set to perform a series of concerts from February 27 to April 29, having recently added six new dates to his schedule. Shortly before Christmas, he disclosed his diagnosis of stage one lung cancer. A post on his official Instagram account on January 13 reassured fans that “Barry is feeling great,” and a subsequent press release confirmed that his surgery was successful and his medical team remains optimistic about his recovery.

As the music industry anticipates updates to all Billboard charts on February 7, the release of “Once Before I Go” not only marks a new chapter in Manilow’s illustrious career but also emphasizes his lasting impact on the Adult Contemporary music landscape.