By admin 
About the song
Title: The Glitter and Heartbreak of the Copa: Rediscovering Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana (At the Copa)”
There are songs that tell stories, and then there are songs that paint them — vivid, cinematic, unforgettable. Barry Manilow – Copacabana (At the Copa) is one of those timeless numbers that transforms a simple tune into a living, breathing drama set to rhythm and melody. Released in 1978, it became one of Manilow’s most enduring and theatrical hits, an irresistible blend of storytelling, disco energy, and emotional tragedy that defined the late seventies in all its dazzling excess.
From the very first notes, listeners are transported to the famed Copacabana nightclub — a place alive with color, rhythm, and romance. The opening line introduces us to Lola, the showgirl with “yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there,” instantly evoking an image that’s part glamour, part heartbreak. Her world is one of sequins and spotlights, where the music never stops and dreams shimmer just beyond reach. But Manilow doesn’t let us stay in the glitter for long — beneath the bright disco beat lies a story of passion, jealousy, and loss.
What makes Barry Manilow – Copacabana (At the Copa) so remarkable isn’t just its catchy chorus or unforgettable melody, but its storytelling craft. The song unfolds like a miniature musical — a three-act tragedy disguised as a dance-floor anthem. The tempo may be upbeat, but the lyrics are filled with melancholy and depth. By the final verse, the glamorous Copa has faded into memory, and Lola, now an aging woman, sits alone at the same bar, lost in her past. The disco rhythm that once made her dance now underscores her loneliness.
Musically, the song is a masterclass in fusion. Manilow, working with Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, crafted a lush arrangement that combines Latin-inspired percussion with the sleek polish of late-’70s pop. The horns blaze, the strings shimmer, and Manilow’s theatrical vocals guide us through every emotional twist. It’s this combination — the storytelling of a Broadway show and the pulse of a nightclub — that makes the song unforgettable.
Over four decades later, Barry Manilow – Copacabana (At the Copa) remains a shining example of pop music that dares to tell a full story. It’s flamboyant yet sincere, joyous yet tragic — a song that makes you dance and ache at the same time. In just a few minutes, Manilow captures the rise and fall of a dreamer, reminding us that behind every spotlight, there’s always a shadow waiting to return.