Music for Monday: Barry Manilow, ‘I Write the Songs’ (1975)

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"I write the songs that make the whole world sing." (Barry Manilow, 1975)

“I write the songs that make the whole world sing.” (Barry Manilow, 1975)

Our Music for Monday selection features Barry Manilow singing one of his biggest hits, “I Write the Songs.” “I Write the Songs” was, in fact, written by Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys and first recorded by David Cassidy, as well as The Captain & Tennille. Cassidy’s version hit #1 in the UK and Manilow’s version was #1 in the US by January of 1976.

The video below is a special “Quad Mix” version featuring 70s Manilow TV performances. It was edited and mixed by YouTube poster, THEmowtownboy.

*An interesting note: My father-in-law, Richard Schmitt, was the recording engineer for the David Cassidy version of the tune.

*Note #2: The Quad Mix was removed from YouTube. Here’s another version. I believe it’s from a ’76 TV special.

Barry Manilow, ‘I Write The Songs,’ 1976

Previously on Music for Monday: John Lennon, ‘Mind Games’ (1973)

Daily 70s Spot: American Sound Stereo (1975)

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Hey ladies. How do you like my woofers and tweeters? (American Sound, 1975)

Hey ladies. How do you like my woofers and tweeters? (American Sound, 1975)

Daily 70s Spot time. This one is a must-see for the groovy, straight out of Central Casting, hip, 1970s spokesman. The fellow looks like he’s dressed up for a night at the disco. Who better to sell you the latest and greatest stereo gear? The commercial, for American Sound stores in Sacramento, California, aired in November of 1975. Blast it!

Daily 70s Spot #122: Vintage 1970s Stereo Commercial (American Sound, 1975)

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Crisco Cooking Oil (1978)

Daily 70s Spot: Crisco Cooking Oil (1978)

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Crisco Oil? You're soaking in it.

Crisco Oil? You’re soaking in it.

Time to fry up the Daily 70s Spot. Here we have a commercial for Crisco Oil involving a bad permanent hairdo and a pan full of chicken soaked for an hour in Crisco. Good eats! Spot aired in May of 1978.

Daily 70s Spot #121: Crisco Cooking Oil Commercial, 1978

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Tetley Tea (USA, 1978)

Daily 70s Spot: Tetley Tea (USA, 1978)

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Tetley Tea time, 1978

Tetley Tea time, 1978

“I like those tiny little tea leaves in Tetley Tea.”

Daily 70s Spot – tea time edition. Here’s a Tetley Tea commercial which finds the British product attempting to gain a foothold in the American market. Will folks in the US ever drink a tea brand other than Lipton? In the 70s, the answer was mostly no. Spot aired in May of 1978.

Daily 70s Spot #120: Tetley Tea Commercial, USA, 1978

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal (1972)

Funshine Friday: ‘Magic Mongo’ (1977)

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'Magic Mongo' TV title, 1977

‘Magic Mongo’ TV title, 1977

Magic Mongo originally ran as short, weekly segments on season two of The Krofft Supershow from 1977 to 1978. Other segments that season included Bigfoot and Wildboy and Wonderbug.

"Magic Mongo - the only friend that we'll ever need." (Lennie Weinrib as Mongo, 1977)

“Magic Mongo – the only friend that we’ll ever need.” (Lennie Weinrib as Mongo, 1977)

Magic Mongo starred Lennie Weinrib, voice of, and writer for H.R. Pufnstuf, as the bumbling genie of the title. Mongo’s teenaged beach bum pals were played by Robin Dearden (Kristy), Helaine Lembeck (Lorraine) and Paul Hinckley (Donald).

‘Magic Mongo’ TV Intro, 1977

Magic Mongo Wiki, IMDb

Previously on Funshine Friday: The Pink Panther, ‘Pink Campaign’ (1975)

Daily 70s Spot: Spoon Size Shredded Wheat Cereal (1972)

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"Crunchy, natural goodness in every bite." (Spoon Size Shredded Wheat, 1972)

“Crunchy, natural goodness in every bite.” (Spoon Size Shredded Wheat, 1972)

“What could be more natural?”

Here’s a healthy Daily 70s Spot for your Friday. A Nabisco Spoon Size Shredded Wheat cereal commercial. Spot aired in August of 1972.

We usually had a box of this in the cabinet when I was young, along with Raisin Bran and Cheerios. The cereal I really wanted; Lucky Charms, Cap’n Crunch, Trix, etc., had to be begged for and only went into the shopping basket about once every few weeks. I begrudgingly thank my mother for moderating my sugar-seeking fanaticism.

*Note: The spokesman in this Spoon Size spot is very familiar but my brain just can’t come up with a name. Any help would be appreciated.

Daily 70s Spot #119: Spoon Size Shredded Wheat Cereal Commercial, 1972

Previously on Daily 70s Spot: Aladdin’s Stanley Thermos (1978)