
About the song
There’s a playful sweetness that runs through Barry Manilow’s “I Wanna Do It With You.” It’s not a song about grand heartbreak or painful longing — it’s about companionship, joy, and the quiet thrill of sharing life’s moments with someone special. Released in 1982, this song came during a period when Manilow was blending the elegance of his classic romantic style with a softer pop energy, giving listeners something both intimate and uplifting.
At first listen, you might think it’s a simple love song. But the beauty of Manilow’s delivery lies in how he turns simplicity into sincerity. His voice carries warmth, a twinkle of humor, and that unmistakable tenderness that makes you feel he’s singing directly to you. There’s no pretense — just pure affection, expressed in the most human way possible: wanting to experience life together. Whether it’s walking in the rain, cooking dinner, or dancing when no one’s watching — that’s what this song celebrates.
The melody is easy and flowing, like a Sunday afternoon spent in good company. It’s Manilow at his most relaxed — still polished, still emotional, but glowing with an everyday kind of love. You can feel the era in it, too — those early ’80s touches of soft pop production, light percussion, and smooth harmonies that carry you into a simpler, warmer time.
What makes “I Wanna Do It With You” so endearing is that it reminds us love doesn’t always need to be dramatic. Sometimes, it’s about being present — about finding joy in the ordinary when shared with the right person. And that’s what Barry Manilow has always done best: he reminds us that the small, quiet things in love are often the ones we remember most.
