Before it became Barry Manilow’s career-launching ballad, "" began its life as a faster-paced rock-pop track titled " Brandy ," written and recorded by American musician Scott English in 1971 . While English’s version was a top 20 hit in the UK, it was Manilow’s reimagining that turned it into a global classic. The Evolution from "Brandy" to "Mandy"
: Scott English admitted he fabricated the dog story to get a pestering reporter off the phone. : English has since clarified that the song
: English has since clarified that the song was actually inspired by his own life, specifically the fear and vulnerability he felt about leaving his first wife. The "face through a window" mentioned in the lyrics refers to his father. Chart Impact and Legacy Watch these videos to hear the contrast between
For years, an urban legend persisted that the song was about a favorite dog. : English has since clarified that the song
Watch these videos to hear the contrast between the original rock-inspired version and the famous ballad version: