From God for Johnston from Manilow for the World Wide Symphony

My Monday: Anything I know and love

I Write the Songs was written by Bruce Johnston and made popular by various artists in the 1970's.I learned this song around 5th grade in school choir. One of my sister's had a record of Barry Manilow singing this song and so I have always attributed the song to him. The meta-ness of this song has always amused me but today as I listened to it, for the first time in years, I realized that it was about God. I looked up who wrote it and learned (Wikipedia) that a member of The Beach Boys wrote it and that Bruce Johnston credits God to be the true source of his songs. 

Below are the lyrics and a video. Wikipedia states that Manilow was concerned about performing this song because he was afraid that people would think he was singing about himself, this video plays off of that concern. 

           [Spoiler: Traditional Tuesday will highlight The Planets -Holst]

 

I've been alive forever
And wrote the very first song
I put the words and the melody 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 tho' 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 and I write the songs